Macrame Leather Collection
Knots of Connection:
Lu-Lyn’s Macrame Odyssey
We are thrilled to collaborate with Lu-Lyn, founder and designer of Bound Designs (@bound_designs | www.bound.sg), whose journey into macrame has blossomed into a deeply personal and artistic expression. Each knot, each weave tells a story of patience, introspection and dedication — qualities that shine through her pieces.
In this intimate interview, Lu-Lyn brings us through the inspiration behind her work and how her thoughtful approach brings life to this special collaboration created for Bynd Artisan's 10 Years and Beyond. Each piece in the collection reflects her commitment to blending traditional craftsmanship with modern artistry.
Could you give us a short self-introduction?
I am Lu-Lyn. I am a macrame artist, founder, designer and maker at Bound Designs.
Tell us how you got into macrame. In was ways does creating macrame crafts resonate with you?
I started learning macrame as a way to relieve some of the anxiety I was feeling during the COVID pandemic. A lot of things were out of my control at the time, and I began worrying about the viability of my business, my children, and my elderly parents falling ill. So, I sought activities to occupy my mind and distract myself. I tried everything from learning how to bake sourdough bread to making dumplings, crocheting, completing thousand-piece jigsaw puzzles, meditating, and practising yoga — anything to quiet my mind and alleviate the constant anxiety.
It wasn’t until I came across a YouTube video on how to make plant hangers with macrame that I became intrigued and made my first plant hangers. I found the process of knotting and weaving quite soothing, but I had no interest in making plant hangers. My passion was fashion. I thought perhaps I could learn to create something else, and I went down a rabbit hole, exploring what I could do with this weaving technique. Before long, I was experimenting with making bags. I made a ton of them, and my girlfriends loved them, so I started giving them away. The more I created, the better I became, and the more experimental I grew with designs and materials. That’s when I realised I could turn this hobby into a small business. It has been almost three years now, since Bound Designs was founded.
As for my journey as an artist, I would say I’ve matured and become more confident and bold in what I feel I can achieve with my designs. I experiment much more now with various materials, incorporating elements that aren’t traditionally associated with hand weaving, such as raffia, rattan and wool, as a way to creatively express the texture of the bags.
What insights have you gained about yourself through this craft?
With macrame, I’ve learned to be much more patient with myself. The process has given me a lot of time for introspection as I weave. Often on weekends, I can spend hours completing a piece in absolute silence. In my day job, I used to talk and present a lot, but with macrame, it has been a journey of solitude and self-reflection. Through it, I’ve truly learned to understand and become more patient with myself.
What is the meaning, theme, or inspiration behind this macrame bag you crafted for “10YAB”?
The pieces I’ve conceived for Bynd Artisan’s 10th Anniversary are the result of two brands coming together to create something heartfelt, personal and handmade. Using leather strips from Bynd Artisan, I wove them with threads to create the Macrame Leather Shoulder Bag and Macrame Leather Crossbody Straps, blending style, love and craftsmanship.
The crossbody straps are designed to be versatile, with removable hooks and clips that allow the piece to be worn as a wristlet, bag strap, phone strap, belt, or wraparound necklace. When I saw the 10th Anniversary mood board, I was inspired by its colour palette, which shaped the look of the collection. Incorporating Bynd Artisan’s soft leather into the straps and fasteners, these pieces are both trendy and functional — perfect for weekend shopping or café hopping, with the added convenience of removable inner tote bags for easy washing.
What truly drives the collection is the balance between fashion, functionality, and utilitarian design. I was inspired by the buttery leather used in Bynd Artisan’s products, and I wanted to create pieces that are not only stylish but also highly practical. Each item reflects bespoke craftsmanship — nothing is mass-produced. From ideation to completion, every piece was made with sincerity and care.
What message or feeling do you hope people take away when they see or use your macrame pieces, especially the one crated for “10YAB”?
Every piece in this collection is made with love, joy and positivity. From sourcing the materials to preparing them for the design and weaving process, each step is filled with effort, attention to detail, and conscious craftsmanship. Each piece is a celebration of Bynd Artisan’s values, and I hope everyone can appreciate and feel the goodness that has been woven into every item.