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Lines Across

Lets Make a Mess

Pumpkin String Art

October 3, 2013 by Rachel 18 Comments

I love carving pumpkins, but it is messy, time consuming, and the carved pumpkins don’t always last that long, especially here in Florida where it is still hot and humid in October. Last week I posted a collection of no-carve pumpkins, and I wanted to try a few. My kids and I have been painting mini pumpkins, which is a lot of fun, but I wanted to try something more creative.

I have seen a lot of creative pumpkin decorating ideas using thumb tacks, and I started wondering if you could use nails the same way and create a string art project. I was worried that the nails wouldn’t stick, and that they would fall out, or that the pumpkins would leak and ooze from the holes. Neither of these things ended out being a problem. It was so easy (and ridiculously fun) to hammer little nails all around the pumpkin.

What you need:
1. Hammer
2. Nails (I used 1 inch nails)
3. Embroidery Thread
4. A Pumpkin

What you do:

1. Prepare your pumpkin. I chose one that was round shaped with a flat side. I used this flat side at the front so that the area with the string art wouldn’t slope too much. You can try a lot of different shapes and textures for different looks.
2. Sketch your design in pencil. This would also be fun using colorful thread over a spray-painted pumpkin. I’m more of a fall person than a Halloween person, so I went with a simple design. I do like how the white thread looks subtly like a spider web.
3. Start hammering in your nails. Try to keep them evenly spaced, and sticking out of the pumpkin about the same amount. Avoid moving a nail, because it will create a hole that could leak. If you do have to, try filling the hole with some sort of clear glue or nail polish to keep it from leaking.
If you are following a pattern like mine, a round circle with a shape created with negative space, I found that it was best to just do two rows of nails. I spaced the outer nails further apart and the inner nails closer together.

4. Tie one end of your embroidery thread around a nail. Cut the extra piece as small as possible. I would also recommend that you secure the knot with some glue. Start wrapping the thread around the nails. You can try to create something of a pattern, or be completely random. You can just barely cover the area, or keep wrapping string until the whole area is almost completely covered. Tie a knot at the other end when you are done, and use glue to secure the knot and hide the little piece of extra string.
I love how it turned out, and now I want to make more string art pumpkins!

What creative no-carve ways have you used to decorate pumpkins?

About Rachel

Craft blogger. Color lover. Mess maker. Mom of three. You can find me at Lines Across sharing my creative adventures and tutorials on how to make stuff.

Monday Funday #37 – A Creative Link Party
Monday Funday #38 – A Creative Link Party

Comments

  1. amy says

    October 3, 2013 at 12:46 am

    I LOVE this pumpkin! I am getting ready to do a nail art project in my kitchen.

    I just did a cream felt flower pumpkin… I love doing non.traditional. Thanks for sharing!
    http://www.delineateyourdwelling.com/2013/09/felt-pumpkin.html

    Amy

    Reply
    • linesacross@gmail.com says

      October 3, 2013 at 7:02 pm

      I love nail art/string art! Your felt flower pumpkin is beautiful! I also love the cream color for fall.

      Reply
  2. Lisa {grey luster girl} says

    October 5, 2013 at 2:59 am

    Cool idea to do string art on a pumpkin! Love how it turned out too!

    Reply
  3. Shannon says

    October 7, 2013 at 3:05 pm

    Such a cool idea! Love your string art!

    Reply
  4. Hannah Evans says

    October 8, 2013 at 12:21 am

    Super cute and sooo not messy at all!! Love it πŸ™‚ Pinning it to my 'Fall into Autumn' board now, thanks for sharing!

    Hannah β™«
    Sew Lah Tea Dough `

    Reply
  5. Chelsea J says

    October 8, 2013 at 12:38 am

    This is so cute! I love it! I might have to try it this year. As much as I love carving pumpkins, I always get a rash on my arms from the insides. Thanks for the idea!

    Reply
  6. Miranda @ Someday Crafts says

    October 9, 2013 at 4:58 am

    I love the heart shape! It would be cool to do a Halloween or fall shape too. We'll be featuring your pumpkin over at Someday Crafts tomorrow afternoon, so come on over if you get a minute!

    Reply
    • linesacross@gmail.com says

      October 11, 2013 at 2:03 am

      Thanks for stopping by and for the feature!

      Reply
  7. Emily Morgenstern says

    October 9, 2013 at 9:03 pm

    LOVE it!! I'm so doing this soon!

    Reply
  8. Leslie Lambert says

    October 10, 2013 at 1:32 am

    Oh wow…what an adorable and unique idea! This would be great to link to Create It Thursday #23…it's live now! Hope to see you there!

    Reply
  9. Steph @ Three Loud Kids! says

    October 10, 2013 at 2:46 pm

    What an adorable idea! It turned out super cute (and less messy than carving!)

    Reply
  10. For My Love Of says

    October 11, 2013 at 1:09 am

    oh my gosh! this is so cute! I have had no luck with string art before, but I really want to try this!

    Reply
  11. Sondra Lyn says

    October 19, 2013 at 7:14 pm

    I LOVE it! It really turned out great!!

    Reply
  12. Lynda says

    October 21, 2013 at 4:20 am

    Soo cute!!! just pinned this! thx for linking up!

    Reply
  13. Kim @ The Celebration Shoppe says

    October 23, 2013 at 10:29 am

    I included your fun idea in my latest article for Parade Magazine! So cute!

    http://www.parade.com/218216/kimbyers/10-unique-and-creative-no-carve-pumpkins-all-the-fun-and-none-of-the-mess/

    Reply
  14. Brenda @ Chatting Over Chocolate says

    October 24, 2013 at 12:41 pm

    Good morning, Rachel! I absolutely LOVE your Pumpkin! Thanks for sharing the string art tutorial! Stopping by to let you know that I've featured it on my blog today: http://www.chattingoverchocolate.com/2013/10/12-boo-tiful-pumpkin-decorating-ideas.html … Hope you're enjoying a fabulous Fall! πŸ™‚

    Reply
  15. Kat Jeter says

    October 17, 2014 at 4:27 pm

    A string art pumpkin?! I'm in love…string art is my new addiction but I never would have thought of this. Awesome idea!

    Reply
  16. Kelly of Simply Kelly Designs says

    October 17, 2014 at 7:00 pm

    Love this Rachel! I don't like to carve pumpkins so this is a great way to decorate! Pinning!

    Reply

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