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Have you hopped on the string art trend yet? This old school craft adds great texture to your wall decor and is fun to do! Download the free printable template from this post and discover tips to create a large scale seahorse string art for your nursery or beach house!
When it was time to plan the nursery for baby number 2, I knew one thing was for sure: she’d need some custom made wall art from mommy! Here’s the first the several DIY projects I completed for Hailey’s “Under the Sea” themed Nursery!
I’ve been eyeing all the string art projects popping up on Pinterest these days and decided to tackle one using the same seahorse shape I used in Brielle’s Quiet Book. The base was made from a scrap of wood left over from the growth chart I made.
After Derek painted two coats of primer, I gave the board a nice background design using a dry brush technique Wild Orchid and Lilac Deco Art Americana Acrylic Paints. I love the coverage these paints give you on wood surfaces!
I used temporary adhesive to add my seahorse template to my board. Feel free to download my template for your personal use here. It’s shown on two pages so you’ll need to print each, overlap and tape together to get the full length of this design.
Even though I saw a lot of bloggers tape their designs right to the board and not cut them to shape, I suggest you DO cut yours to shape. One particular blogger pointed out that she had some paper fragments left over when nailing right into the paper and not next to it like I did.
Next, I nailed in all of my nails around the shape. Since I thought this was a somewhat complicated design, I started with all the key points in the shape so I knew those spots would be anchor spots. Then I kinda eyeballed the other nails all the way around (my typical crafting method).
TIP: make sure to look for nails with a decent nail head so you have something to wrap your string around. I used these wire nails and they were perfect for this project!
After removing the template I was happy to see that I could fully recognize my shape. Whew!
I used this Aunt Lydia’s crochet string for my project as it was thin enough to easily get into the tighter spots but still held up well without a worry of breaking.
To decorate, tie the string around one nail and go all the way around the outline first, adding some loops around some of the trickier “corner’ sections of the shape to secure it in place. Once it was completely outlined, I just went crazy twisting the string around the shape in no particular order. I have fun with this trying to make sure to make all new paths in any new direction. The great thing about this part is there really is no right or wrong!
I love how my first string art project turned out and think I’m hooked on this design style! There was such little cost and I love the texture it gives to the room. I think another string art project might be needed in the future! :)
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Take a tour of this Under the Sea nursery, which includes more DIY crafts!
UPDATE: I’ve been getting a lot of comments/emails/interest in this item! If you make your own version, I’d love to see a photo of it in your home! I’m always looking for submissions to my annual Reader’s Feature!
Check out another fun string art design I did, also with a free printable template!
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Danielle says
March 8, 2016 at 2:23 pmHi There,
I am looking to make this. Could you please let me know the dimensions so that I can replicate? Thanks so much!
Danielle
Spot of Tea Designs says
March 8, 2016 at 2:39 pmHi Danielle. This was made on a piece of wood that’s 9.25 x 18 inches.
tiya knipper says
June 19, 2016 at 10:34 pmI want to make your canvas do you have a template of the quote you used?! Thanks!!
Spot of Tea Designs says
June 20, 2016 at 6:23 amHi Tiya! I dont have a template of this quote but you can find more about it here http://spotofteadesigns.com/under-the-sea-nursery-quote-wall-art/
Dorthy says
August 18, 2016 at 11:17 pmI love everything about the room! The wall decor is perfect! What color did you pain the walls?
Spot of Tea Designs says
August 19, 2016 at 7:44 amThanks Dorthy! It’s Tropical Breeze by Behr!
Jackie says
September 25, 2016 at 8:55 pmLove this and I’m going to try it but how did you nail it to the wall?
Spot of Tea Designs says
September 25, 2016 at 9:04 pmGreat Jackie! We used two of those saw tooth picture frame hangers on the back. (affiliate link) it looks like this –> http://amzn.to/2cUSnYT
PS I’d love to see your final version! I’m always looking for more submissions to my annual Reader’s Feature!
Erica A Samuel says
February 6, 2017 at 10:01 amI am trying to print the seahorse template and am wondering if it is suppose to bigger than one sheet of paper. I am assuming so since the board is 9.25″x18″ but after I download it, my two printing options are fit it on one page or print a portion of it that will fit on one page
Spot of Tea Designs says
February 6, 2017 at 10:45 amHi erica. I will double check how I have the file set up but yes I did print it on two sheets and tape it together. Let me know if you’re not able to print the full piece and I will reevaulate how I have it uploaded. PS please send me a photo if you make it!! I’m always looking for more submissions for my annual reader’s feature.
Dayana Garcia says
October 27, 2017 at 7:47 pmHi, I am trying to print it into two pages and for some reason it is not letting me. Is it possible to you could upload it again or help me to print it correctly?
Spot of Tea Designs says
October 27, 2017 at 7:56 pmHey Dayana,
I actually have updated the template. Go back to the post and redownload the file. It will be two pages that you will need to overlap and tape together to get the full design. Please let me know if you have any issues, and of course, I’d love to see your finished version!!
Spot of Tea Designs says
October 27, 2017 at 7:57 pmHey Erica,
I have since updated this file to fit onto two pages. Sorry for the inconvenience!
Dayana Garcia says
October 27, 2017 at 8:10 pmThank you for the update! I truly love the decor you have done for your daughter’s room. I am having a little girl and the theme I want is mermaid but not the little mermaid and it’s been hard to find anything until I found your site through Pinterest. Kuddos to you for sharing your experience and helping other moms like myself finding something we like for our little ones.
Spot of Tea Designs says
October 27, 2017 at 8:22 pmThank you for the sweet message. Congrats on joining the girl mom club! It’s a fun one to be in :) Please share if you make any of the diy crafts! I love seeing them! :)