string art

Like probably everyone, I've had string art on my to-do-with-the-kids list for AGES.  And like I said, about 2 months ago I started working with the teenage girls at church.  We needed some decorations for a night where we will showcase our achievements for the girls' parents, so the string art project's time had finally come.

Most string art is done on a wood backing, but can you imagine the headache one would have after a couple of hours of 12 girls hammering nails into boards in a small classroom?  Solution: foamcore.  Before the activity, I cut foamcore into 8 x 10s and glued them three deep.  I glued 5/8 inch ribbons around the edges to finish them off.  Then the girls traced their first initial on the foamcore and poked 3/4 inch long nails around the outside of the letter.  Some of the girls got wiggly with the nail holes so we put a dab of hot glue on the nail point and then re-inserted it.

We used three colors of crochet thread to get an ombre effect.  The girls were delighted with their initials.

The kids and I did some of our own ideas in string art.  The boys had a blast sticking the nails in the foamcore and had some fun tangling string between them; mostly just an enjoy-the-process kind of project for them.  S made up this little stunner.  She's using string art as an element in her creation for this year's PTA Reflections contest entry.

I messed around with a black foamcore and gold tread...

and I got Christmasy with this one.  I used red fingernail polish on the tips of the nails to emphasize the word.  Yeah!  String art is lots of fun!