All You Need Is…Valentine String Art & Engraving

All you need is some scrap wood, and maybe a little string. And a few nails. And how about a gum wrapper? If you had all those you could be like MacGyver and build some kind of cool device that would catch fire. But, since I had everything except the gum wrapper, I decided to make a Valentine art project. Follow along and I’ll show you how easy it is to make your own heart string art and engraving art for Valentine’s Day. If you need any of the materials, you can pick up most of them at your local Lowe’s Home Improvement store (probably the same place MacGyver shops because they have gum at the registers.)

(I’ve included affiliate links for your convenience. I earn a small percentage from a purchase using these links. There is no additional cost to you. You can read more about affiliate links here.)

Materials:

• Plywood or scrap wood
• Valspar red paint sample
• Paint brush
• White paint pen
• Scissors
• Brass brad nails
• Hammer
• Twisted white mason string
• Glue
• Wooden popsicle stick or paint stirrer
• Dremel
• Dremel engraving bit
• Chalk
• Pencil
• Quote print out
• Wet rag
• Cup Hooks (or screw eyes)
• Picture hanging wire and hooks
• Piece of Gum

Instructions:

Start by painting your wood red.

After the paint has dried, draw a heart with chalk.

Hammer brad nails equally spaced around your chalk outline.

After all the nails have been hammered, wipe the chalk line off with the wet rag.

Time to start stringing. Tie the string to the nail at the point at the top of your heart. Tie a double knot. Pull the string taut and follow the sequence below.

Follow the pattern until you complete the perimeter of your heart. Tie a double knot. Secure the first and last points with a dab of glue. Use a wooden stick to press the glue into the knot (because the wood can’t be burned, but your finger can!)

Beautiful!

To create your engraved quote, print out your words on paper.

Flip the paper over and rub pencil behind the letters.

Tape the paper onto your wood and trace each letter using firm pressure. When you lift up, you should see the letter outlines have been transferred onto the wood.

Use the Dremel and engraving bit to scrape inside the letter outlines.

For more contrast, color in the letters with the paint pen.

Done.

To connect your two boards, screw cup hooks into the bottom of your word plaque and the top of your string art heart. (Pre-drilling will make this an easy task.)

Add a picture hanging hook or wire on the back and hang your Valentine art proudly!

This would make a great wedding gift if you added the wedding date in the engraving or the couple’s initials.

Even MacGyver would love this…don’t you think? Who needs a stick of gum!

Like this Valentine’s Day art idea? You can find more home decor ideas from the Lowe’s Creative Idea bloggers !

You can also sign up to receive their free Creative Ideas Magazine, which is loaded with inspiration! AND, check out the digital magazine app so you can have inspiration on the go! Don’t forget to follow Lowe’s on Pinterest or on Instagram!

Disclosure: As a #LowesCreator, I was provided with a Lowe’s gift card to purchase supplies for this post. I was not told what to write. All ideas and words are my own. I may or may not have gotten inspiration from watching old re-runs of MacGyver.