New Strings n' Things + DIY kits!

It's been a busy past few months for the string art sector of my life, there have been some new ideas along the way too. Just a quick showcase of the latest gear for your walls, starting with my favorite font on the planet:

Shop this style on Etsy

I've done quite a few of these sets, but never in these colors, so pretty:

Circular Geometric String Art Pattern

Four Letter Modern String Art Name Tablet

And KITS! Yes! I'm finally doing kits! Now you can get any of my patterns sent to you in a complete kit. I thought of this because I looked at how many people wanted to make these themselves (which I totally get!) - but when you think about it, the amount of supplies you have to buy not only racks up, but your left with a lot of leftover materials. If you live in an apartment (or anywhere short on space) these kits are perfect:

Shop around for them here: DIY String Art Kit

My aunt asked for this one for my cousin, totally new take on old Otis here:

I added a few sakura flowers, couldn't resist:

And just a few more miscellaneous ones:

Shop 

Shop Link

Shop for Jace

Shop this style

Anyway, just a little show & tell - might show why I've been kinda M.I.A. lately! What's new in your house?

-Jesse

Linkies: Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter, Subscribe & of course, Email me.

Post a Comment

String Tablets Show & Tell

Gotta few newbies finished up last week, I'm thrilled with how they came out.  Here's my new favorite, standing proud on a 9.5" x 16" dark walnut tablet:

People have trouble figuring out the size, so I threw in an object we are all familiar with.

Then, by request, here's the state of Illinois with a star over Chicago, let me just say, these states are some of the hardest string art I've done yet! States are not shaped very nicely, like animals...

Here's an electric looking name for a nursery, "Ruby" is done in a new font I found called "Japan" with the colors fuchsia, gray and chartreuse inter-layered within the letters. I love it!

Here's one that I did for Makeably, as a thank you for including me on their Airbnb project... I made it to match their websites font & logo exactly, and I'm glad it came out nicely:

The stain above is an interesting one, first I stain the wood with a dark tea, then I come back the next day with a concoction of steel wool and vinegar. It reeks while I'm doing it but the smell goes away once it's dry, luckily.  The color can't be beat though!

Then another thank you gift, the letter "B" for Karen over at Redoux, for hosting a giveaway for me. Another Dark Walnut tablet, this time with a more typewriter style font. Her choice!

Then last but not least, this is one of the gifts I gave my sister and her husband for their wedding last weekend.  She gave me the general colors of their living room and I chose this combo:

So that's the latest in what's been keeping me busy in the string world, I've listened to a ton of This American Life in the process.. it's been great! If you are interested in ordering a tablet for your home, please go to my etsy shop or email me directly to start the conversation.

Thanks for reading, have a great one!

-Jesse

Linkies: Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter, Subscribe & of course, Email me.

Post a Comment

String Art: Otis the Owl

***Update: Otis the Owl Complete Pattern download is now available in my etsy shop, as well as complete kits that come with everything you need: Pattern, board, nails, string... you name it. Check it out here***

Hey, hey! So his name doesn't have to be Otis, I'm just a sucker for the whole alliteration thing... I'm excited to show you my newest string art design - this was a project for the winner of the String Art Giveaway I did on Better After a while ago.  The winner and I discussed all types of ideas, she showed me a board on Pinterest she had created that focused on many styles she loved.  She really wanted an Owl.  So I took inspiration from her ideas, and combined them into this:

I love how it came out! It was so challenging to figure out all the details (especially on the feathered chest) but it all worked out great - I'm happy, the recipient is happy, Otis is happy, we are all happy.  It's bigger than usual too, about 11.5" wide by 23.5" tall, and for a new trick I mixed some paint action in there. The wood was hand distressed using the Aged Wood trick from a while back. This one takes longer than usual, but so worth it.  Hope you like it!

I'm going to throw this design into the etsy shop, which you can access by clicking here or the My Etsy Shop tab above.

If you want to make it yourself, I have downloadable patterns & directions here, and complete kits here. 

Let's make it a good week ahead! 
     -Jesse 

Want to see other string art designs? Clicky Clicky....

Up next on the blog: DIY Floor Mirror - huge wood frame!

Linkies: Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter, Subscribe & of course, Email me.

Post a Comment

More String Art Tablets: Wrap it up

I'm the type of person that tends to start a lot of projects at once, and then get sidetracked and start more, to the point where I have to really be strict and stick to a list just to finish everything up. I get excited, and motivated, can you blame me? Everything seems like "oh this will only take a second" and it actually takes a few days, or more...

Ok after reading what I just wrote, it's decided - that's my goal this week, wrap up all these random projects.  I have a folder of literally 200 pictures of these random projects, waiting to be cropped, edited & assembled into posts. That being said - some of you may have seen a recent tablet order I finished up, if not - take a looksee:

This was a mega-order. Four tablets. 23 letters.  A LOT of string......

This was for a customer's 4 boys....

The colors are so fun - came out cute! It's so funny, I love trying out new projects or ideas that I have, and when I think it's 1) something others might enjoy and 2) something I wouldn't mind making more of, then I pop it the shop. You never really know what will be a success and what will sit there, but these string art tablets have taken off. I've been so flattered & excited to make them for people's homes, and I haven't lost steam on them at all, each one is still exciting.  Plus - sometimes I need a break from perpetual home improvements to just work on a satisfying project.  Know what I mean?  Here's one from a few months ago that never got posted (see!? time flies....)

 Love that blue stain! Hard to tell in the photos, but it totally shows the wood grain.  And actually, the person who ordered this one chose 4 different shades of white for the letters, but on the blue your eye just groups them all into one color.  Learned a little tip there....

If you're interested in ordering a tablet or want to discuss a new project with me, I'm always accepting orders - keep in mind I need about 2 weeks (usually less) to do a custom job start to finish.  Check out examples in my etsy shop: here.

Alright, what are your goals this week? Do you make endless lists like me, only to stray away from them? I've got clipboards & to-do lists for days... days that I don't have - heh....

Do something you love today, hope you are having some spring weather in your area! Warm rain over here, it's so nice...

     -Jesse

Up Next: Let us decorate with wood that washes ashore... driftwood mobiles baby!

Let's keep in touch: Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter, Subscribe & of course, Email me.

Want more? Here are some related moments on the blog:

New Designs: Owl String Art Tablet

My favorites: Mod Patterns

Post a Comment

New String Art: The Owl

I don't know about you, but lately I love owls. It all started when were in San Francisco and I saw these adorable owl Salt & Pepper shakers in Chinatown.  Funny side story there actually, I noticed there was a huge shelf full of different owl themed dinnerware. I asked the shop owner if there was some meaning or significance to the owl, and she smiled and said "No, white people love them".  Ha! I thought that was pretty funny.... anyway.... I recently did this owl tablet for Joel, which he requested for a Christmas gift for someone.  Take a look:

Post a Comment

Chevron Side Tables

Introudcing, my latest furniture project, the Twin Chevron Side Tables:

Wow, I'm finally done! This was my first time doing the chevron pattern, and it was definitely a new experience.  Lots of taping! I know I've been talking about them forever, but you know how time is, it just flies. Can you believe it's almost Halloween? Wow. So what do you think of these tables? Those handles pull out drawers that I lined with a great coral print fabric, leftover from this project. I of course forgot to take a picture!  Hmm, these pictures may not do the top justice, but it's actually cream stripes on a walnut surface:

There we go, that shows up a little more. I love that dark walnut stain! It's always been one of my favorites.  For the base I used Cozumel, another favorite of mine, and decided to try it with the DIY Chalk paint recipe, and in my gravity feed sprayer.  I had a little trouble though, I didn't dissolve the plaster of paris enough apparently and got a few chunks here and there.  They sanded off very easily, but then I had to recoat so I didn't have little white dots! If you try this, dissolve that plaster as best you can!  Before I rattle on, check out the before: shot

I used Citristrip on this one to remove as much of the finish as I could. Though I just found out about a Minwax Product called Furniture Refinisher, which apparently can remove a good amount of this junk. Next time! Have any of you used that before? Citristrip is great and all, but it was a little challenging this time, not sure why! That's the ins & outs of furniture refinishing, a product will work great on one piece, and not great another. Who knows!

I originally intended to try and go really clean with this piece, mainly to keep a little variety in my life, but as that one cricket in that one movie that shall remain  nameless (copyrights, hello!) always said, "Always let the furniture be your guide" - yes, that's what he said, I'm sure of it. I had to follow these tables lead, and distress them.  The paint was being finicky in certain areas, and the decision was made - they would look much nicer as a distressed piece.  I think it matches their age really well though! These are solid wood tables, and heavy duty! I think they'd look great framing a couch for a pop of color in a fun loving home. These will be for sale soon, e-mail me if you're interested & want me to hold them for you.  Have a fantastic day, keep in touch: Facebook - Twitter - Pinterest.

Post a Comment