String Art-Easy DIY Last Minute (Valentine's Day) Gift!
I love holidays, gift giving and crafting so string art is one of my go-tos when I need a gift in a pinch or I am looking to quickly add a little something warm or festive to a room's decor.
Examples of String Art
Most of the materials are things some people may even have around the house and you can choose any image you want making it versatile and convenient.
I have wood squares leftover from a former teaching project I tend to use, they are 4.5 x 4.5 inches, and I would not recommend going any smaller. That being said, really any wood in any size or color that suits your design will work! If you don't have anything around these wood blocks would be a great choice! You can even stain them to a color you desire before beginning the process, this is my favorite stain to use for multiple projects, I love the color Kona.Products linked are my favorites or highly recommended for each project. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. See something you like? Click it! It helps support the amazing content on this site. Xoxo B
Your image can be hand drawn directly on the wood, a stencil you have or create, or printed on a paper and cut out. I have used my Cricut to cut out various images like the state of MN, hand drawn a star, and in this example I used a Valentine foil heart as a stencil.
I always lightly trace around the image with a pencil. I have nailed all the way around my stencil and ended up with it caught in the middle of the project, having to rip or ruin the stencil to remove it. However if you do not care to reuse the stencil you can do this but be careful not to nail through the paper.
I like to use small nails that have a nice flat head for the string to catch under. I also use different colored nails depending on the design I am creating. Because the nails are often small I like to use a pliers to hold the nail and a small hammer so I have more control.
I usually start nailing at the bottom or in a corner of the image (the tip of the heart or star). I like things to be evenly spaced so I use another nail or something around to measure in order to make the spaces even, but it does not need to be perfectly spaced. Sometimes I go back and add nails where I feel the space is empty.
After I have all the nails in place I tie the string to a nail, usually the first nail I put in, at the bottom or in a corner, nothing fancy, just a double or square knot.
I like to use embroidery thread for this project, I have found that yarn can be used but it is thick and it stretches. This red/pink pack would be perfect for this Valentine’s Heart or I would recommend a rainbow pack like this for unlimited options. The length of the string depends on the image you chose or how much you plan to go back and forth to create the design. You do not need to cut the string until the end. I sometimes change colors in the design as well. To do this, you can tie the ends of the colored string together or tie off one color on a nail and tie on another, whatever works best for you!
I then pull the string and wrap it around a nail on the opposite side of the design. There is no real pattern or correct way to do this but I prefer to make sure the string goes around the outside of all of the nails at some point to define the design. Once I feel all of the nails have been touched and the outsides are connected I try to go back to the original knot to tie off the end or I tie it to a nearby nail. I again double or square knot the string and cut it off as close to the knot as possible.
Use an eraser to carefully remove any marks that are showing, sign the back, and your work is ready for gifting or decorating!
Need some visual support? Check out my video, and make sure to follow us on your favorite social media platform! Xoxo, B
String Art Heart Tutorial
Directions:
Choose the piece of wood and image you want to use, fit to size.
Lightly trace around the image using a pencil.
Nail in first nail, continue around image trying to evenly space.
Tie string around one nail.
Pull the string from that nail and wrap it sporadically around the the other nails, including each nail at some point.
Tie off the end at the beginning point or on another nail.
Cut the tails.
Erase pencil marks and sign artwork.
Supplies Needed:
I hope you I hope this project was helpful or inspiring! If so, please let me know by leaving a comment! Remember to come back regularly to keep up with my farm, art, restoration and other miscellaneous adventures. Thank you!
Xoxo, B