This DIY String Art Deer Project proves that boys love crafts too. Especially if it involves a hammer and nails!
To celebrate Honey’s birthday and his love for the outdoors, my ten year son old and I worked together to create A Deer for Daddy ~ DIY String Art Deer Project. It is a fun and simple DIY art project that you and your little guy will love to make.
Like most of my projects, it all started at Goodwill. Thrift store shopping has become my newest love. It’s an awesome place for finding treasures that make you think outside the box. This post contains affiliate links marked by asterisks. Click here to see my full disclosure policy.
That’s exactly what I did when I picked up this wooden plaque. The sweet little “Special Friends” wasn’t really working for me but the dark stained board would be the perfect canvas for DIY String Art Deer action.
It took lots of Goo Gone* adhesive remover {love that stuff} and a good bit of scraping but Big Boy was able to get the “Special Friends” poem off.
While he was working I found an outline of a buck online then traced it from the computer screen onto notebook paper. Note to Self: Get some printer ink!
Once I explained the string art project, he began to place dots around the image to create a template for the nails. Make sure the dots are evenly spaced and used sparingly in tight spots like the antlers.
The template was taped onto the wooden board and he got to hammering. We used nails similar to these Wire Nails*
Other than a little help with the antlers, he completed the hammering all by himself.
Once each nail was in place, Big Boy anchored the string on one of the nails then began to weave the string back and forth across the shape. The string was woven in and out of each nail.
Make sure to work slowly and carefully to make sure the string is spaced evenly around.
The antlers were bit more intricate so I stepped in to complete them.
To give the outside of the deer string art more definition weave the string in and out along the outside of the shape several times. The more you do it the more defined the edges will be.
We used this Classic Crochet Thread*
Here is where you can learn a lesson from me: Remove the paper template after the nails have been attached but before you begin the string work.
We finally resorted to using tweezers to pull out all the stuck paper.
Big Boy was so very proud of his artwork! Honey loved getting it for his birthday!
Tips for Making String Art
- Begin and end the string art by outlining the shape with string. Weaving the string in and out between the nails will help to define the shape.
- Look back at the image you are making. This string art tip is especially important if the shape you are making is intricate.
- Keep the hammer handy! As you pull the string around the nails, there is a good chance that you will pull up nails along the way. Simple pound any loose nails back into place with the hammer.
- Step back and look at the string art project as you are working. Doing this will help you see if the string is evenly placed or if you missed a few spots.
Hope you have been inspired to create art with your little ones! Our oldest son worked so hard on this DIY String Art Deer for his Daddy. It is a prized piece our collection of thrifty home decor for our home office!
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Full Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links and/or is a sponsored post. I may receive compensation in the form of monetary compensation or product compensation in exchange for my review. I take pride in reviewing only products that fit my brand and will be beneficial to my readers. And while this post is sponsored or contains affiliate links, all the opinions are my own. Why do I do this? It will help me keep this DIY’ing Mama crafting for another day! For more on my disclosure policy click here.
Oooh loving this!
It was so fun and super quick to make!
~ Ashley
I LOVE THIS! I want to do something like this! Great job and welcome aboard My Crafty Spot contributors!
Thanks, Sweet Friend!
~ Ashley
How cute, he’s going to love it! I thought about doing this for a little spot in the boyfriends house above the fireplace. I love how they look. You did a great job.
Thanks so much! It really was fun and fast to make!
~ Ashley
Oh wow! Stopping over right away!
xoxo
Thanks so much, Jennifer! It was so much fun to make this string art with my oldest son!
~ Ashley
I’m stopping over from the Inspiration Monday link party, I actually just saw something similar to this at Target and I remember thinking “I could make that!” but it never occurred to me to make it a kid project for his dad, what a great idea! I’ll be following you on bloglovin! =)
Thanks so much for the comment love and for the bloglovin follow!
~ Ashley
I have so wanted to try this type of project. Looks tough but you made it seem so easy. I want to try a pumpkin shape. Thanks for sharing. Love your blog and all your cool ideas. When you have a chance stop by my blog – have a creative week.
xo
tina
Oh I pumpkin shape would be so cute! We loved making this string art and can’t wait to think of more shapes to “string up”!
~ Ashley
Awesome!! What a great project to have your little one help you with, and I love how it turned out! Visiting from Creative Spark! 🙂
Thanks so much for the bloggy love, Amanda! Our son is so proud of this piece!
~ Ashley
I loved it and when my kids are older we will have to make one. Thanks for the great idea.
Our son is so proud of this deer artwork he made. I’d love for you to pin it for later. 😉
~ Ashley
this is sooo cool! Thanks for linking up Ashley! laura
Thanks so much Laura!
~ Ashley
This is so cool! Pinned. Hugs! Lou Lou Girls
YAY! I love pins! 🙂
~ Ashley
Absolutely love the string art and our link party did too! You were the most clicked this week on Creative Spark Link Party! Hope you stop by to see your feature and link up again! http://bit.ly/1pFy5yI
GET OUT! I was most clicked? That is awesome news! Thanks so much for hosting (I know it is hard work)!
I’m so excited to be featured!
~ Ashley
I love this! i could handle that kind of deer in my house. 😉 Thanks for sharing at On Display Thursday, come again!
Thanks so much, Leia! It looks so fabulous in my husband’s office.
~ Ashley
This is great looking, isn’t it funny how certain trends come and go. I was trying to remember when string art was popular before, the 80’s maybe. Hubs did a great one of a ship, was quite detailed. Wonder what happened to it.
You and kids did beautiful job on that deer art. Did you find a particular image to use for the deer? Really like the size of this. Shows up beautifully. Think Dad will love it.
Happy creating and enjoy the season with your family.
Thanks so much, Jane Ellen!
We had the best time making this Deer String Art for Honey. A ship sounds so cool! Wonder if I can talk Big Boy into making one with me?
~ Ashley
Nice job! Just a couple of tips–dip the nails in glue before hammering them in. Let the glue dry and they will stay put better. Also–once the nails are in, the paper can be removed before stringing begins. Yarn can be used also.