May 1, 2012
Opalyn:
String Art has always fascinated me and recently on a trip to one of my favorite stores I found this piece of String art and my interest in the art was renewed.
String Art found at The Bins
After returning home, I spent several hours searching the Internet. I found several sites offering instructions, patterns, and completed pieces on display or for sale.
Math Cats has some basic shapes and I started with a pattern representing the diagonals of a hexagon. I started by cutting a scrap of plywood and covered it with red velvet then taped down the pattern and set the brads.
Getting Started
Pliers help hold the Brads
Finishing the Brad Setting
Finished
Another pattern from Math Cats is a 21 sided-polygon where each point is connected to every other. For me, this pattern is a beautiful representation of Windward, one that manifests the connections that create a resilient network of individuals and systems.
Icosihenagon in Red on Black painted plywood
I found this boat pattern at String Art Fun. I immediately thought of the mural that is under discussion as a Welcome to Windward sign. We have a 40’ shipping container facing our driveway and a large boat with the icosihenagon as the sun could be a great start for the mural.
I decided to enlarge the pattern and increase the number of brads.
Boat Design - setting the brads
Boat design as the pattern is removed to prepare for string
This pattern was lots of fun to play with and it gave me some insight into the spacing of the brads relative to the diameter of the string. For example the front sail loses much of the detail as the brads get closer.
Boat in String
After indulging in this new art form, I decided that I needed to take a step back and look at the bigger picture before spending significantly more time on string art. While I liked the idea of diving into a new skill, string art does not provide a potential income stream nor is it an outlet for stress. Given that and the material costs, I decided that working with our own wool would be a better way to spend my time. Before jumping into carding and spinning, I picked up a pair of knitting needles and went back to the web. This video really helped get me started.
My first knitting swatch ‒ many lessons learned
This past weekend, I helped out with the sixth annual Useful Goods Exchange and I traded several blouses for circular knitting needles Click here for a description of the second annual UGE.
With several practice blocks completed, I am ready to try my had at something simple, like a pot holder or a scarf and I hope my skills improve enough for me to follow a complicated pattern and work with delicate roving to make scarves for my Mom and Sister for the holidays.