Blog goals — Everybody has them and mine are to provide you with affordable ideas and inspiration to make your home cozy. For today’s project I want to share with you how to make these adorable snowflake shelf sitters. String art looks like one of the easiest do it yourself projects out there but very few of us have found that it is as easy as hammering nails into a board. Join me today as I show you some simple tricks for improving your finished project and share three amazing snowflake templates to add some wintery fun around your home.
Let’s get started! I love that this project is super easy to customize. You can choose your own color and thickness of yarn or string, as well as nail head, and wood block stain or paint so this really has no limits beyond the basic string art tutorial. So here is one of my many DIY shelf sitter projects: The string art wintery snowflake tutorial.
Materials and Tools:
- Hammer
- Nails (I use 19 x ½” wire nails, these are the perfect size for string art)
- Needlenose pliers
- Crochet thread size 10, Lace (#0) (you can use string, yarn, or or embrodiery floss also but I find the best results with this thin crochet thread)
- (1) 1×4 board (at least 12″ long) I usually buy these in 8ft lengths from Home Depot
- Stain or Paint of your choice
- (3) Sawtooth hangers (if you want to be able to hang these from the wall, optional)
- Snowflake Templates and tape
Step 1: It is always confusing to me, but a 1 x 4 is actually only 3½” wide, so your block is actually going to be 3½” x 3½”. Use a square to make sure that you have a nice square block. You can use other sizes of boards as well and blow up your snowflake template or use the small designs all on one board. If you don’t have access to tools for cutting your own boards be sure to check out our store and look for the snowflake trio project pile kit. The kit comes with all the materials needed to re-create the same trio in the pictures.
Step 2: Once your blocks are cut you will need to sand and finish the blocks to your liking. I recommend 100 grit sandpaper to start with. This will knock off any of the larger splinters (especially from the cut edges). Next, paint or stain your wood blocks to your desired finish. The example I have provided here is stained with Varathane in Ipswitch Pine . You will need to let your wood blocks dry. After your blocks are dry, if you are looking for a more weathered and rustic look, now is the time to lightly sand them. I use 320 grit sandpaper to add some distressing marks to the edges and corners. You can distress as much or as little as you like. This also works nicely with painted wood. I suggest using chalk paint as it dries quickly, self levels (which is important on uneven surfaces like unfinished wood), and sands nicely. Optionally, you can add some wax to your blocks to bring out the distressing marks. I like Amy Howard at home antique wax in light and dark. You will add a small amount of wax to your cloth and rub into the entire surface. It will seal your project nicely and bring out your sanding marks for a farmhouse feel. Let wax sit overnight for best results.
Step 3: Now that your wood blocks are finished you will attach the snowflake templates to the blocks. There are three templates that each produce a different snowflake design. The dots indicate where you should nail in your nails. You will need your needle nose pliers and nails next. Mark your pliers with a pencil or pen so that you get a consistent depth for each of your nails. Holding the nail with the pliers, use your hammer to nail the nail into the wood at the designated dots to the depth of the pliers. This is an easy hack for getting the nails all the same height. Fill in all the dots with nails then tear and remove the template paper.
Step 4: Tie your string, yarn, or floss to the starting nail with a knot. Use the instructions template, watch the video, or create your own method for outlining the snowflake. With string art it is important to loop the thread around the nail to keep each section tight. I think of this part as an adult dot to dot challenge. Depending on your style, type of thread, and desired finished design repeat the outline until you are satisfied with the thickness of your snowflake. To finish the design, tie off two different nails with knots, add a dab of super glue to the knot and then trim off the remaining thread to finish off the design.
Now that you have completed the snowflake trio add your new creation to a bookcase, mantel, entryway or shelf. I hope you have enjoyed this easy winter craft and it has inspired your next DIY project. Until next time…
Snowflake Trio
Equipment
- hammer
- needle nose pliers
- chop saw (only needed if you plan to cut your own wood blocks)
Materials
- 1 wood 1 x 4 I buy 1x4x8 but you can buy any length as 1 ft will be enough to make 3 blocks
- Paint or Stain any color
- Snowflake Template
- String, Yarn or Floss recommended #10 crochet thread, lace to light weight yarn, or embroidery floss
- Nails
- 3 Sawtooth picture hangers
Instructions
- Start by cutting your own 3½" x 3½" wood blocks from your 1 x 4 board. If you want to skip this step be sure to check out our project pile kits for all the supplies needed for this tutorial.
- Once you have your wood blocks cut to size stain or paint blocks. Finish by sanding &/or waxing if you want a distress look. If you are wanting to hang these pieces on the wall now is the time to attach your sawtooth picture hangers to the back.
- Now that your board is totally prepped you will attach your snowflake templates. Using the needle nose pliers you will hold each nail and hammer into the board at each nail spot marked on the template.
- Once all the nails are in the board check for consistency, then using the stringing guide tie your choice of thread, yarn, or floss to the starting nail using a knot. Tie the work off on two nails to finish. Use a double overhand knot and a small dab of superglue. Cut tails.
Notes
- If you don’t have access to tools for cutting your own boards be sure to check out our store and look for the snowflake trio project kit. The kit comes with all the materials needed to re-create the same trio in the pictures.
- The needle nose pliers will help you to keep each nail at the same depth.
- String design the desired number of times for the look you are going for. The more times you string it the thicker or bolder your design will be.
