You probably have string, thread, twine or other such items for tying, sewing and other household needs, but did you know that string is also good for many decor, craft and art projects? String is cheap, too, so you can use miles of it without racking up a huge tab on craft supplies. One type of string that works really well is tatting or crochet thread. It’s thick enough to make nice designs but thin enough to easily attach to most decor or craft surfaces.
Most everyone has seen “string art”, which usually consists of a velvet piece on canvas, with tiny nails hammered in, and string artistically stretched between the nails. These are easily accomplished by placing nails in the canvas, using a coloring page or other picture as the pattern. You can also purchase these patterns online and add your own nails and string. They’re very nice when finished and make a lovely addition to the decor of a den or even a bedroom.
Much easier arts and crafts are attainable using string, glue and paint. Wrap the string around a vase, for instance, using glue to hold it in place, then paint the vase after the glue has dried. This makes the vase look as though it has ridges and grooves. You can also position the string randomly on the project surface then paint for a different look entirely.
It’s not absolutely necessary to repaint the surface after using the string and glue – most adhesives will dry clearly – but the string will be its original color and will look more like string than an intricate part of the original design.
The string and glue design can be done on most ceramics, wooden pieces, cloth, plastic and metals. As a matter of fact, there are few surfaces that the string won’t stick to, with the proper adhesive. This makes it easy to incorporate string art into many existing decor pieces.
You can make particular designs with the string, such as a flower or rainbow, then transfer the design to the project on which you’re working. Hair spray helps the string hold its shape while you slide it from foil or wax paper onto the project. Or, give the surface of the project a coat of paint, then position the string in the design of your choice, before giving the project a second coat of paint. The first coat of paint allows you to move the string around, using tweezers, toothpicks and other aids, then holds it in place while you add the second coat.
There are many artwork pieces that you can quickly do with string. Paint a canvas half blue and half white, arrange string in shapes of a sailboat and shells, then paint once again. The string shapes stand out in the artwork and are easy to make. Choose a design that will fit into your own decor using this same technique.
Use string, glue and paint to make new designs on headboards, cornices, lampshades, woodwork, mantles, drawer fronts, picture frames, toy boxes, wooden chairs, cardboard box crafts and more. You’ll find that there are many projects you can do using string, and it’s so fun and easy, you’ll want to do many more projects in the future.
