DIY String Art

A few weeks ago the beautiful, rad, and talented Rachel Metz reached out to me about a collaboration, and I couldn’t be more stoked!  Together, we put our creative brains to work and decided it would be so much fun to do a DIY swap challenge. So, the two of us went to our respective shops on opposite coasts (she’s all the way in California), packaged up some fun materials, and sent them to each other. I sent her a box full of goodies that she made into the cutest Mason Jar Sconces, and I used her materials to create bohemian mixed-media string art for my bedroom! This project was so much fun and had my mind racing – there are so many things you can do with string, nails, and wood! Here’s how I made mine, and how you can make your own!

First, it wouldn’t be fair if I didn’t share the incredible box that Rachel sent to me. It was AH-mazing.

Like. c’mon. She did such an awesome job. I just knew I had to come up with something cool to give her…

What You’ll Need:

Tools
Hammer
Ruler
Scissors
Computer/Printer

Materials
Wood Slab
String
Nails
Studs (optional)
Tape

The Steps:

1. Print out an image you’d like to make into your string art. I chose a geometric and tribal native bull skull (for some reason I’m really hooked on these). Make sure to cut it out so that it fits the piece you are working with (mine was a 10 x 10″ piece of reclaimed wood I’ve been saving for a rainy day).

2. Tape your image to your piece of wood. Use a ruler to make sure it is centered.

3. Once it’s taped, begin to tap your nails into the wood at varying places along the image. Because I had a geometric image, I strategically placed my nails at every interesting corner.

4. Continue to tap in the nails until you’re happy with the outline.

5. At this point there are two options, you can pull the paper off of the piece of wood before stringing, or you can keep it on and follow the outlines. If you pull it off later it will be a little more difficult, but it will help you in making sure your image is accurate. I chose to keep the paper on until the very end.

6. Once your nails are in, begin stringing. Start and end each run with a knot around the nail you’re working with to keep the string from unraveling.

7. Play around with colors!

8. If you chose my method, once the stringing is complete, being to carefully tear away the paper from the nails and wood.

9. Use decorative studs in the corners for some added flavor.

That’s it!

I really had a lot of fun with this project! It’s been a while since I’ve done a craft. A huge shoutout to Rachel for getting me out of my zone for a bit to try something new. If you want to see what she made with the materials I sent her, make sure to check out her Mason Jar Sconces video! Also, make sure to find her on Instagram and Facebook as well. She’s one seriously rad chick.

If you tackle this, or any one of my projects, make sure to share it with me on social media by tagging it to #diyhunted or #diyhuntress! I love seeing what you guys make!

Until next time…