How to Make a DIY String Art Wooden Plaque

SUPPLIES FOR STRING ART:

• Embroidery thread in colors of choice
• Hammer
• Nails (small wire nails or similar)
• Wooden Plaque (you can make your own, or grab a pre-made wooden plaque from a craft store such as Hobby Lobby)
• Scissors
• Pattern to trace for outline of design (more on that below!)

STEPS FOR STRING ART PROJECT:

• Step 1: Determine the design you want to use. I love using something with personal meaning. This participator project was for a gift from my daughter to her uncle. He LOVES Destin, Florida so this was perfect for him!

• Step 2: Google images of what you'd like to design and print off a simple image. We wanted a beach type of theme, so we just started looking for something that would give us the beach-vibe. For us, a seahorse won! You might need to enlarge the image before you print it so it fits perfectly on your wooden plaque. PRINT AN EXTRA COPY OF YOUR PATTERN / image you select to save as a guide. Think of this like looking at the front of a puzzle box when putting a puzzle together. Having the image in front of you makes it a lot easier!

• Step 3: Hammer nails along the outline of your image. I'll be honest, I didn't measure. This is such a simple project, that it's hard to mess up, so don't overthink it!

• Step 4: Remove the stencil. After you have hammered in your nails, carefully remove the paper from the board.

• Step 5: Start stringing your embroidery thread!

I started by using a base of white to go all around the outline of the seahorse. This made it a lot easier for my daughter to do her part.

As I mentioned above, be sure to print off an extra copy of the image you select. It just makes it a lot easier to see what the end result is supposed to look like!

Be sure to tie a good knot around a nail where you begin and end, with each color used.

• Step 6: Cut off any loose ends of the embroidery thread after tying your knots

• Step 7 (OPTIONAL): Add wording to your sign using a stencil or cutting machine

This last step is completely optional. We used my Silhouette Cameo 3 cutting machine to make a fun beach phrase to add to our sign.

You could also use a stencil and paint a phrase or wording onto your sign. Chalk paint or even acrylic paint would work well for this, too!

There you have it! A completed string art project!

This is a project you can completely personalize to your interests!

I'm a bit of a sucker for any string art! I made a fun and simple Valentine Heart Banner using yarn you might also enjoy!

Good luck with your project! Pop on over to Love Our Real Life and say "hello"!

April