Dandilion String Art : A "How To" on a Detailed Design

Let’s talk about art, more specifically…  String Art! 

I’ve always been the artistic type with painting, sketching, designing, and etcetera.  However, I had never seen what could be done with just some wood, a hammer, nails, and string.

I started looking up a bunch of different tutorials, and let me tell you, I watched A LOT! In the end, this was the one that got it through to me how easy string art actually is.  String Art Heart 

I knew this technique would make a perfect gift, and I was on the hunt to find something for my mom.  There were so many different designs out there, but ultimately the one that caught my eye was the dandelion.

Dandelions are cool just the way they are, but when caught in the wind, the little pieces fly off and go who knows where, doing who knows what.  That’s exactly how I see my mom.  She is all about flying free and going to all different places now that her kids are grown and she’s retired.  This was the PERFECT design for her.

However, this was not your simple, bang the nails around a template, like what was shown in the video.  This took measurements, precise placement, and a thought out strategy.

I couldn’t find a FREE pattern for this design, so I made up my own and now I’m sharing how I did it, step by step. 

Materials Needed:

Wood plaque
Paper
Tape
Pensil
Drill
3/32 drill bit
Hammer
Nails
String

First, get your wood plaque.  You can have it any size you want your picture to be.

Next, place paper over the plaque until you’ve covered the entire thing, tape the pieces together if need be.  This will be your template.

Now, because I used pallets, I had an extra step.  I took a marker and marked all the places on the wood that nailing into it would cause an issue.  There was a hole in the middle where a piece of wood curved in more than others, a weak spot in the top corner, and let’s not forget the original pallet nails that were still in there. No two designs are ever the same with pallets because each plaque has its own strengths and weaknesses. 

Would it have been easier with a different type of wood? Yes, but there’s just something about old pallets that I can’t get enough of.  Plus, I think it gives it a rustic and homier feel.

It’s now time to draw out your design.  I used a plate, and traced it to get the outer ring of the dandelion.  Measuring to the center, I traced around a vitamin lid to make the inner circle. Using the same center marking, I took a compass and used it to make the remaining two circles that were closer to the outer ring.

Now dot up your design (with pencil, you never know when you have to adjust things).  Anywhere that you think a nail should go, put a clear dot. 

Outer ring  à  An even number, at equal distances apart (make sure to leave a gap for the flyaways)

Second ring in à  Put dots in between EVERY OTHER two dots on the outer ring

Third ring in  à  Put dots in between EVERY two dots on the outer ring.

Using a ruler, line up the center of the circles with an outside dot.  Then, put a dot where your ruler intersects with the inner ring.  Continue all the way around the circle.

For me: I had 22 dots on the outer ring, 11 dots on the second ring, 23 dots on the third ring, and 26 dots on the inner circle. 

Next, place two dots inside the inner circle, and three at the base of your stem.  Don’t forget the flyaways as well.

********************************Optional Step***********************************

Painting the Plaque

I chose to paint a quote on my plaque and I wanted to do it before I strung it up. By doing this, I don’t get the sealant I spray on the string.

Find what you want to paint.

I wanted to portray to my mom what I was meaning by giving her the dandelion, so I decided to paint a quote onto the wood.  The others I saw said, “Be Free” or “Make a Wish.”  Those are cute, but not what I was going for.  Since every day is like an adventure to her, it was easy.  I chose “and so the adventure begins”.

Draw what you want to paint and where you want it to go. 

**This is one of the reasons why I love making a template.  You can make notes on it, or change your mind and erase things.  It’s a definite must have when getting into more detailed string art designs!**

Ok, this is the cool part, so pay attention.  Flip over your template and color with chalk on the back of what you want to paint. 

Flip it back around and put it on the wood where it goes.  Trace over it with a pencil.  The image that you traced should have transferred onto the wood in chalk.  Trace over it on the wood with pencil, so it doesn’t come off, then start painting it with acrylics. 

Once you’re done, spray a sealer on top, let it dry, and then get back to your string art.

**********************************************************************************

Now it’s time to drill.  Tape your template to the plaque, so it doesn’t move.  Take a small drill bit {I used a DeWALT drill with a 3/32 sized bit},

and place tape around it as a gauge to show how far you can go into the wood.  This depends on the depth of the wood you’re using.  You don’t need to go too far in. 

This step makes it easier for the nails to be hammered in, especially with pallets where the wood has a tendency to crack.  Then there’s the fact that with a more detailed design, the holes give you a guide for when the paper comes off.

Clean up the mess that you now have.

Time to start nailing.  Where there’s a pre drilled hole, hammer in a nail.  Be sure not to go too far down because you don’t want it poking out the back of the plaque, but make sure it’s secure.

I strung the stem before nailing in all the inner circle nails.  That way, they wouldn’t get in the way. 

The two nails in the middle of the inner circle should be a tad lower than the rest, since they will be hidden. Tie a knot around one of them,

and pull it down to the bottom of the stem, then back up to one of the two nails.

 

Keep weaving them up and down until you have the look you want for the stem. Tie it off with a knot on one of the inner nails and your stem is done.

Hammer in the rest of the nails.

**The inner circle nails are so close together that it’s easier to stagger them higher and lower.  Once you’re done stringing everything, you can hammer them all to the same height.**

  

The next step is to fill in the inner circle.  Tie the string around a nail, and just start weaving.  Use any pattern or design you want, just make sure that the end of the stem is hidden. Tie it off with a knot when done. 

The next step was the one I had meticulously planned out, but when I got down to it, I just played around to get the result I liked.  Start at one end on your outer circle, and tie your string to the inner circle nail that’s underneath it.  Take it up to that starting nail on the outer circle, then back down to the inner circle.  Then go back up to the next nail on the outer circle, and continue doing this all the way until you reach the other end.  Work your way back around, but play around as you go.  Take it at different angles back to the inner circle, just as long as the outer ring stays as points.

Once you have your desired look for that section, and have reached an end nail on your outer circle, wrap the string down to the end nail on the third ring in, then back up to the next nail on the outer ring.  Work it in a zig zag pattern all the way around, then back around, successfully doubling up the layer of string.  Tie it off once you reach the end.

Now, for the last layer of your dandelion.  You’re going to start at one end and make a smaller zig zag pattern starting at your third ring in and going to the second ring in.  Work your way around, then double back again to thicken the layer.  Tie it off once you reach the end.

Don’t forget to string up your flyaways. 

**I started and stopped the string on the middle nail, so no one would notice the knots.**

Once everything is tied off, go through and lightly hammer any nails that are uneven, just to be sure they’re all level. 

There you have it.  That’s how I made my dandelion.  I know it seems like a lot, but it’s actually really easy. 

One of the best parts about string art is when people look at all the nails sticking out of the plaque, before the string, and have no idea what they’re seeing.  When they ask, all you have to say is, “You’ll see.”

Tell me what you thought of this post.  Did you find it helpful? Did you learn anything new?

What other string art designs have you tried?

If you use this to make a dandelion, don’t forget to send me a picture!

Be sure to stay tuned for more string art and tutorials to come.

Until then, take a look at other designs I have done.

 

   Click here to get one of your very own

Coming Soon...

And...

Happy DIY-ing!! 

Diet Coke Dimentional Key Chain

Share a Diet Coke with Mom

Share a Coke with a Grillmaster

Share a Diet Coke with your BFF

Share a Coke with your Soulmate
Share a Diet Coke with Sara! *wink*wink*

This has to be one of the best promotional stunts that Coke has ever done.  When they have the “Share” labels out, I’m hitting the stores and gas stations just to see who I should “share” a Diet Coke with.  Ha!  Yeah right… like I could ever share my Diet Coke.

Anyways, my husband came across a Coke can that said, “Sis,” so of course he took a picture and sent it to his sister.  What did she say? “Save it.”  So this can sat on top of or fridge for months, constantly getting knocked down, getting in the way.  Finally, I had had enough.  It HAD to go! 

However, he was keeping it for a reason, so I went online to see what can be done with pop cans, and I found this.  It was clever, and a definite must do!

Pop Can Key Chain

What you need:

Pop cans
Templates
Scissors
Hole Punch
4mm Eyelets
Eyelet Tool
Glue
Mod Podge Dimensional Magic
6mm Jump Rings
Chain
Key ring

Ok, pick out your cans.  The Sis can was a coke, but my sister-in-law is all about Diet Coke, so I had both.

Then you need to dissemble them.  You’ll probably need more than one, so make sure you have enough. Cut off the top, then down the crease, and then cut the bottom off.  Be sure to save those pop tops for future crafting projects!!

**The way took apart the cans was so unsafe.  I punched a hole in it with a paring knife then took scissors to the hole.  Since then, I’ve seen how other people take hand held can openers to the top.  It looks a lot less dangerous.**

Make templates to use that are the size and shape you want your pieces to be.  I made mine out of paper.    

Hold them up to the cans where you think the best designs are, then cut out your shapes.

 

Now, because I’m making the pieces double sided, I had to cut two shapes the exact same size.  I took a shape I had just cut out and held it up to the inside of the can, and used it to cut another piece the exact same size. 

**By holding it on the inside of the can, you make sure to get an exact replica with both designs facing outward.** 

This is where I added my own little twist.  I decided to put 4mm eyelets through the two pieces. I think it’s more secure for the jump ring hole, and it gives it a more finished look.  Placing cardboard underneath where I worked, I got started.  The first piece dented a little around the hole when I tried to punch it through with a nail, but when I used a paper hole punch, the cut was much cleaner.  The eyelet slipped right through the hole, and I used an eyelet tool to finish it off.

Now, it’s time to glue the corresponding pieces together.  I used my trusty E6000 “kidney disease” glue to stick them together, placed each piece sporadically inside my hard copy of Webster’s Dictionary, and set a heavy object on top of it.  Then wait overnight.

Now, gluing them could get a little messy, (like it did with me).  Don’t worry.  A little rubbing alcohol takes it right off.

Now, for the Mod Podge Dimensional Magic. 

I used a cooling rack, like the tutorial recommended.  That way, the eyelets could sit in between the spaces and your pieces could lay flat. 

Start to cover your piece with the Mod Podge.  Be sure to have a toothpick handy to pop or move out any bubbles that form.

Now, you have to wait.  Patience is key!!

It says to wait 3 hours for it to dry. This is where I had my most problems.  I am NOT a patient person.  I try to be, but it doesn’t always work out.

Here’s how my experience went…

I did the first coat, then after 30 mins, I lightly touched one to see if I could put on another coat.  Yeah, it messed up the layer, and I had to take it off that piece and start over again. 

Then after roughly an hour and a half later, I put on another coat. 

It was well into the second coat when my 4 year old daughter got curious and stuck her finger into the big “Sis” heart. 

Luckily, with some water, scraping, and rubbing, it all came off, and I could start ALL OVER AGAIN with that one. 

Finally, after all the pieces had three coats and were dry, I tried to pick them up and found out that some Modge Podge had seeped around to the opposite side and stuck them to the cooling rack.  Once off, I had to carefully pick and peel away all the stuff that had dried onto the other side.  Apparently when doing so, the “Sis” heart hadn’t dried all the way, and when I messed with the back, it didn’t like the attention and cracked right down the middle of the dimensional side.  Ugh!  Therefore, I had to take it off the same way as before and when I was starting the coats to the backs of the others, I was starting on the front of that one ALL OVER AGAIN. It was about this time that I vowed never to do this again.

Once I got two coats on the backs of the others, and three coats on the front of the “Sis” heart, I let it sit overnight.  The next day, I got two coats onto the back of the heart and waited till evening to put it together. 

Time to assemble the keychain.  Place jump rings through all your eyelets.

**Tip: Move the opening to each side rather than widening it by pulling it apart.**

Find a chain to hook your pieces onto.  I used a silver necklace.

Lay out where you want your pieces, and clasp them to the chain. 

**On a side note… While putting my keychain together, the chain pressed too hard against the big heart and made tiny indentions on the surface.  To fix, I added one more layer of the dimensional magic, waited overnight, and it was as good as new when it dried.  The extra layer had filled the indentions. Just like "magic"...**

Take off any extra links in the chain, slide an end around the key ring to attach it, and you’re good to go. 

The loops on my chain were too small to go on the key ring, and I didn’t have any extras that were sturdy enough.  Just out of curiosity, I clipped the necklace's lobster claw clasp around the key ring, and it worked perfectly.  I think it also gives it a unique flare.

After all is said and done, I think it turned out really cute.  Best part… It was a great gift for my sister-in-law, who absolutely adored it.

  

Honestly, I’m not sure if I’ll ever make one again because of how tedious and time consuming it was for me.  Let’s not forget messy!

But who knows, I say that now, but you never know what I’ll decide to do in the future.

What are some of your favorite things to do with pop cans? 

Any other ideas I should try?

Like always, let me if you do this, what you think, and if you have any tips to “share” with all of us. 

Until then…

Happy DIY-ing!! 

All Natural Peppermint Candy Cane Sugar Scrub

Christmas time is over.  You now have to make room for all your new fun toys, you don’t want to see another large turkey dinner for a while, snow is not so magical anymore, and you have loads of peppermint candy left over that you don’t know what to do with.

Problem solved!!

I found this cute jar of peppermint sugar scrub.  The way she put everything together was absolutely adorable. 

Peppermint CC Scrub

Plus, (Bonus!) it looked exactly like a bottle from a Starbucks Frappuccino.  Of course, I had to go get one right away.

So once I disposed of the delicious liquid inside *wink*wink*, I got the stickers and left over residue off the bottle.  Click here to learn the easiest way to remove sticker residue.

Next, it was time to make the scrub.  The way she did it sounded alright, but I was psyched to use actual peppermint candy.  Since I wanted to go that route, I decided to go all the way and make the scrub ALL natural.

I made two different sugar scrubs, just to mix it up a little.  They’re very similar, but with a slight difference.

Here’s what you need:

Pink Scrub

7 peppermint candy canes
1 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup coconut oil
½ tsp peppermint extract

White Scrub

1 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup almond oil
½ tsp peppermint extract

I made the pink scrub first.  First, chop up the candy canes to make it easier on your mixer.

Next, I used my coffee grinder, but a food processor or high powered blender would work just as well.  Grind up the peppermint candy to a powder.  This is what makes that beautiful pink color.

**Be sure that there are no larger pieces of the candy left that can hurt the skin when rubbed on.**   

Next, mix all the ingredients for your pink scrub together. Now, this is optional, but I put a little extra sugar in to make it more exfoliating.  It’s a personal preference, and completely up to you however thick you prefer it to be.  Once everything is mixed, move it to the side.

Now… this is where I accidently tipped over my peppermint extract and lost half the bottle on the counter.  This, I would NOT recommend.  For half the day, no matter how much I scrubbed, I was consumed with the strong smell of peppermint.

Moving on…

Time to mix all your ingredients for your white scrub.  Once again, I added a little more sugar.  Still optional…

Next is the part that reminded me of the sand art I used to do as a kid.  Bring out your bottle, and make sure the inside is clean and dry.  Next, start spooning/funneling in your scrubs.  Make any fun design you want.  Since this is a “Candy Cane” scrub, I decided on making the classic striped look. 

I put in one layer, then used the handle of a wooden spatula to press it down and compact it before putting in the next layer.

This is where having a love of MOCHA Frappuccino got me in a little bit of a pickle.  The lid was brown.  A brown lid doesn’t go with pink and white striped peppermint! However, just a couple coats of metal spray paint, and problem solved.   

It looked so cute, but of course it was missing a label.  You have to know what’s in the bottle, don’t you??  I went into Photoshop, and made a quick design before printing it off on address labels, of all things. 

Put everything together, and you have a really cute bottle of sugar scrub that’s great to show off your mad DIY skills.  The best part, since it’s all natural, you can use it anywhere.  You could even eat it if you chose to.  Umm… I don’t think I’m going to though. 

My sister-in-law is the lucky one over here.  She got the bottle I made as a belated Christmas gift. Luckily, I “forced” myself to go buy another Mocha Frappuccino.  That way, when I make another one, I have my container. 

Who knows what flavor it will be next.

Until then...

Happy DIY-ing!!