DIY String Art Ideas & Designs

About DIY String Art Ideas & Designs Android App

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