Huynh Kim and macrame art in Hoi An

In a small space of just a few square meters, Kim Macrame breathes life into each string, creating colorful products imbued with Vietnamese cultural identity. Photo: DINH HAI

In a small alley in the heart of the old town (No. 11, Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, Hoi An City), Kim Macrame is carefully tying each string to create a unique bracelet.

After 5 years of pursuing this art form, Kim's hands have now mastered creating unique macrame products according to her rich imagination.

Key chains, decorative rugs, coasters, curtains, flower pot holders, lamp holders, wall photo frames, clothes, handbags made from knotting techniques... are ordered by restaurants, hotels, resorts, and are well received by many tourists, especially Western tourists.

From bronze drums, Hoi An tiled roofs to elegant lotus flowers, colorful cloud patterns... all are present through each meticulous knot of Huynh Kim. Photo: THUY HIEN

Recalling her journey of starting a business with macrame, Huynh Kim shared: “Since I was young, I realized that I had a bit of artistic talent… In grade 12, a friend introduced me to macrame, I was immediately attracted and determined to pursue it. Although I majored in Logistics, I did not give up my passion for these strange knots. After finding the source of raw materials and approaching the knotting technique, in my second year of university, I started a business, selling macrame products online and was fortunate to be loved and supported by many people.”

[VIDEO] - Huynh Kim shares about her journey of starting a business with Macrame art:

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Macrame appeared in the 13th century, is an Arab knotting technique (different from weaving, embroidery, knitting, crocheting...). Macrame lovers use cotton, polyester, linen threads... and skillful shaping techniques to create motifs and patterns for their art products.

With the skill of the macrame craftsman, decorative and fashion products... are created entirely by hand, without any machinery to support macrame production.

What is special about many of Kim Macrame’s art products is the colors, motifs, and patterns inspired by Vietnamese cultural symbols such as lotus flowers, Dong Son bronze drums, and Hoi An tiled roofs. Kim said that his love for his homeland and his attachment to the people and land have helped his soaring ideas to have a national color. And when introducing his products to tourists, especially foreign visitors, he has the opportunity to promote the values ​​and beauty of Vietnamese culture.

Visitors enjoy the workshop of making their own paintings with string with Kim Macrame. Photo: THUY HIEN

At the same time, thanks to macrame, Huynh Kim discovered himself in the process of connecting with nature. His initial ideas were inspired by the sea, rivers, mountains, dry branches, blooming flowers, singing birds... And through many products taught to tourists in workshops, Kim shared the first lesson he brought was the rope to hang plant pots.

“Visitors are not only interested in a handmade product created by themselves, but also have a unique, durable plant pot hanging wire instead of a plastic hook or steel wire. And the story of the macrame plant hanging wire does not stop at the workshop, but afterwards, that friend also went home to plant a tree, many trees. Looking at the tall trees and flowers that they planted, people's connection with nature and awareness of the environment will also be raised" - Kim said.

Not only stopping at large products, Kim also meticulously makes small souvenirs such as bracelets, hairpins, keychains... Each product carries a cultural story and becomes a meaningful gift, connecting tourists with the land and people of Hoi An. Photo: DINH HAI

In a working space of only a few square meters, the pace of life also slowed down and became more gentle, Kim Macrame continued to tie the strings to complete the lotus and colorful cloud patterned dress for foreign guests. Under the skillful hands and rich imagination of Kim Macrame in the corner of Hoi An, the lifeless strings were tied into products that were both practical and imbued with national identity.

Source: https://baoquangnam.vn/huynh-kim-va-nghe-thuat-macrame-o-pho-hoi-3151880.html