Inside: 34 easy and fun string art ideas for every skill level, taste, and season.
String art is not new – it’s classic, creative, and fun!
One Christmas, as a bright-eyed, craft-obsessed tween, I unwrapped a gift that instantly captured my heart: a string art craft kit. Its cover flaunted a graceful sailboat stitched with golden threads on a black velvet canvas.
I poured my heart into crafting my sailboat. Despite a few misplaced nails and tangled threads, my determination never wavered. By New Year’s Day, my masterpiece was ready and hung proudly on my bedroom wall until I moved out.
The Charm of String Art
It’s not just me, from grandmas to hipsters; everyone’s been enchanted by the old-world charm of string art.
But what is it that makes string art so universally appealing? It’s the blend of simplicity and complexity, the beautiful harmony between form and colour, and the quiet thrill of seeing a pattern emerge from a mere tangle of strings and nails.
And the best part? It’s as straightforward or as complex as you want it to be.
Geometric patterns, adorable animals, your name in string – you name it, you can do it. Halloween decorations, Valentine’s hearts, Christmas trees, or summer sunflowers, anyone?
The thing about string art is it’s not just about ending up with a pretty piece of art. It’s about having a blast while you’re making it.
Every loop, every twist, it’s all part of the journey. So grab those pins and string, and dive into the fun world of string art!
Intriguing Variations To Try
Believe it or not, string art comes in more varieties than you can imagine!
You could experiment with different types of strings – wool, embroidery thread, twine – each adding a unique texture to your creation. Then there’s the base – while wooden boards are traditional, why not experiment with fabric, metal, or even an old vinyl record?
String art also lends itself wonderfully to mixed media – think beads, painted backgrounds, or integrated lights. The possibilities are only limited by your imagination!
Now, how about adding some sparkle to your string crafts? EL Wire, or Electroluminescent Wire, is a thin, flexible wire that emits a bright, vibrant light when connected to a power source. It’s an exciting way to take your string art to a whole new level of awesome!
Level Up Your Crafts: String Art Ideas for Adults
String art is not just a craft for children. Adults can enjoy string art just as much, if not more.
There’s something inherently relaxing about working with your hands, slowly creating a piece of art from a blank canvas.
For the seasoned crafters, challenge yourself with intricate designs, like a stunning mandala or an atmospheric landscape.
You could even try to create a portrait or a complex scene. These projects will test your skill and provide an excellent outlet for creativity and stress relief.
Essential Materials for Your String Craft Project
Creating stunning string art is an exciting endeavour that begins with gathering suitable materials. Here’s a list of craft essentials you’ll need to embark on your string art journey:
- Board: This is the canvas for your string art masterpiece. A traditional wooden board offers a rustic appeal, but don’t shy away from experimenting with different materials like canvas or metal sheets.
- Nails or Pins: Small nails or pins are used to outline the shape of your design. The number and size of the nails will depend on the intricacy of your pattern.
- String or Thread: This is where you can get creative. Embroidery floss, yarn, thin rope, el wire, or fishing line can be used. Each material will give a different look and feel to your piece.
- Hammer: A small hammer will secure the nails into the board.
- Design Template: This can be as simple as a hand-drawn sketch or a printed image. It serves as a guide for where to place your nails.
- Tape: Use tape to secure your design template to the board while hammering in the nails.
- Scissors: For cutting the strings to the correct length.
34 Simple and Easy String Art Ideas For All
Whether you're an artistic newbie or a seasoned pro, the timeless allure of string art has something for everyone. Get ready to delve into the intricate world of colours and patterns crafted from only a bit of string and a handful of pins!
How to Make String Art | Beautiful Rainbow Thread Heart Tutorial
Use many threads of different colours to create a fun rainbow effect with your string art, like with this gorgeous heart decoration.
String Art - Colorful Wall Letters
You can spell anything with string art letters. Great for making signs or spelling out someone's name. I love the tone effect with these letters.
How To Make A String Art Neon Heart Sign
String art hearts are a fun Valentine's craft. Take them to another level by using neon el-wire to illuminate them.
Tropical Leaf Pattern
A beautiful tropical string art pattern; using the string in different shades of green works well with this leaf decoration.
Fun Wood Slice Christmas Tree
Make a fun wood slice Christmas decoration with this tree; a string art Christmas ornament is on each slice.
Fall Pumpkin String Vase
This fantastic twist on the mason string art vases makes a fun fall string pumpkin vase.
OK String Art Tutorial
What a beautiful modern example of string art; the geometric patterns and coloured threads make a statement piece of wall art.
Marquee String Art Love
It's hard to tell from this photo, but these letters have lights under the string, so it illuminates at night for a lovely decor.
Ikea Hack String Art Table
I've not seen a 3D string craft idea like this one before! But the regular way the string is threaded around the nails is familiar; it reminds me of the string art kits you used to get in the 70s. This is also an IKEA hack.
Batman String Nail Art
If you love superhero crafts, this is your string art pattern!
Dinosaur String Art
I'm unsure if this is a T-rex, a triceratops, or a combination of both. But I know it would make a fun decoration for a child's bedroom.
Easy Rustic Arrow String Art
These Chevron arrows look great on any gallery wall, especially for those who love the geometric decor.
DIY ANTLER STRING ART
If you love the idea of a pair of antlers on the wall but don't want real ones, these faux antlers of string might be the answer.
St Patrick’s Day DIY, String Art Shamrock
The perfect string art craft for St Patrick's Day. Tweek the shamrock pattern into a four-leaf clover for a year-round lucky symbol.
Elephant String Art
This pink elephant would make a fun wall decoration for a nursery.
DIY Modern Geometric String Art
Another string craft idea for those that like geometric decorations, especially hexagon DIYs!
Easy Graphic String Art Pattern
String art patterns for words can also be written in cursive and individual letters. What word would you choose for your string art template?
Pineapple String Art Tutorial
Pineapples are a welcome symbol and a fun theme for home decor crafts.
Cactus String Art with Free Printable
If you have black thumbs like me and even manage to kill cacti, perhaps you should make one of these DIY cacti decorations for your home instead.
Mother’s Day String Art – Photo gift
This is a unique string art idea for Mother's Day. The sign doubles up as a photo holder.
State String Art
This string art map decor is of Wisconsin. The Green Bay Packers fans will enjoy it! It would be easy to make one of these in the shape of your state or country and place the heart over your home town or city.
Easter Egg String Art Home Decor
There is a string art pattern and template for every season and holiday, like this egg for Easter.
DIY String Art Ice Cream Cone With Template
Love the cherry on the top and that looks like two of my favourite flavours of ice cream; pistachio and strawberry.
A Geometric "Love" Story - How to draw hearts with circles
A more artistic geometric string art pattern that shows you how to draw hearts with string.
DIY String Art Pumpkins
String art doesn't always have to be on a flat surface; you can decorate objects with threads, like this Halloween pumpkin.
Upcycled Light-Up Pumpkin
Another example of using el wire in your string art to create this illuminated upcycled Halloween decoration.
DIY Mickey String Art
This Mickey Mouse string art is bound to be a big hit with Disney fans.
Easter String Art Home Decor Craft - Bunny Carrot and Egg
Create a fun Easter sign with a trio of string art patterns for a bunny, carrot and eggs.
Rainbow String Art Tutorial
Whether it's for St. Patricks Day, Pride or the NHS, rainbows are fun decor in your home, so why not make one out of string art?
Holly Berry String Art
Hang this above the front door for a fun Christmas string art decoration.
Ombre String Art Tree
Or rest this on the front porch for Christmas. You could even hang ornaments from the strings.
Thrifty and Easy DIY United States String Art!
Your string art doesn't just have to be of the United States; you can do this with any country's outline.
DIY Wrench String Art
Make a wrench string art as an excellent handmade gift idea for a man or any DIY nut.
Brilliant DIY String LED Deer Christmas Decoration
Instead of the usual yarn, use copper string LED lights to make some illuminated string art to brighten up your home.
Other Crafts To Explore
Don’t forget to check out all the other fabulous adult craft ideas on the site. There are many more things you can craft with yarn besides string art.
Or perhaps try another affordable material to craft with, like these paper craft ideas and air-dry clay ideas and not forget all the things you can make with household waste.
Check out this custom neon sign idea for other el wire ideas.
Cara ~ Vintage Style Gal
Tuesday 20th of June 2023
I would love to give this a try Claire! My sister went to a craft party years ago and she made a piece with my husband's favorite football team. It is hanging on our wall proudly, and I look at it often wondering if I can create one of my own with my own vision. Guess I need to get to figuring it out. Thank you for sharing your inspiration with us!
Claire Armstrong
Wednesday 21st of June 2023
Thank you Cara. They are quite simple to work out, you just need a template of the shape you want to create in string art.
Allyson @ Southern Sunflowers
Monday 19th of June 2023
I love seeing all the awesome examples of string art in your round-up. Thanks for sharing at the #HomeMattersParty!
Claire Armstrong
Tuesday 20th of June 2023
Thank you so much, I don't think you ever grow out of string art!