DIY String Art

Create your diy nail string art projects with available desinds, ideas, patterns

INTRODUCTION

If you grew up in the 1960s and ’70s, you probably remember string art very well. Velvet-covered boards were hung in living rooms across America, portraying sail boats, owls, flowers and more. String art uses string, thread or wire to create intricate geometric designs between grids of nails or pins that have been hammered into a board. The origins of this craft date back to the end of the nineteenth century to Mary Everest Boole, who came up with the idea of “curve stitching.” She used these activities to help children understand various mathematical concepts. She actually published a book in 1909 called Philosophy & Fun of Algebra.

Fast-forward to 1959, when French engineer and mathematician Pierre Bézier was working for an automobile company and needed a more accurate way to describe a curve for manufacture. Influenced by an algorithm created by another French mathematician and physicist, Paul de Castejau, Bézier’s curve could accurately describe any type of curve with only four points. The Bézier curve is commonly used today in computer graphics programs.

When the Bézier curve was publicized in 1962, many artists used this mathematical tool as a source of inspiration. One American artist in particular, John Eichinger, used the Bézier curve to create what he called “string mandalas.” Mandala is a Hindu word that means “circle within a circle.” Once his designs were marketed to the public via popular craft kits in the late 1960s, the craft became an instant favorite.

Trends of course come and go, and string art eventually took a backseat to other popular crafts—until recently. String art is making a bold comeback with seemingly endless new designs, silhouettes and U.S. states being the most common. Modern string art is a bit more flexible, as the designs don’t always have to be strictly mathematically based. This opens up new territory in string art, limiting the projects only to your imagination.

Now it’s your turn! If you’re reading this, you’re clearly just as intrigued by the texture, design and dimension of string art. This app is full of patterns that help you quickly get to the fun part of the craft: the stringing! With easy-to-follow directions and projects ranging in skill level, there’s something for everyone.

One wonderful aspect of using such sturdy materials as wood and nails is that your string art creations will really last. You’ve probably seen designs online and thought to yourself, “I’ve got to try that!” Well, there’s no time like the present, and I guarantee after you complete your first string art project, you’ll want to create many more.

Contents

Materials & Tools

Preparing a Surface for String Art

Applying the Nail Pattern

Stringing Basics

Making a Nail Border

Adding a Double-Wrap String Border

Creative Considerations

Troubleshooting

String Art Projects

Put a Bird on It

Chevron

Zodiac Constellations

The Raven

Moon Memory Board

Overlapping Circles

Nebula

Phases of the Moon

Follow Your Arrow

Diamond on Display

Bambi the Buck

Om

Geometric Fox

Geometric Bear

Gingko Leaf

The Feather

Nautical Star

Triangle Tiles

Chrysanthemum

Retro Spirograph

Sea Snail Spiral

Crescent Moon

Hugs ’n Kisses

Maple Tree Silhouette