With the start of a more frequent posting schedule on this ‘ere blog, I’m kicking off with a workshop project that I led just before Easter. The brief was to have a craft project a group of retired men (70s-90s)would be able to complete in just over an hour. They are used to me bringing projects they are eventually proud to display, but are always nervous they aren’t artists and worried that they won’t get results I reassure them they will. In view of it being Easter, a cross was a suitable starting point and I decided on a bit of string art:

Some practical considerations

My prototype was sized to fit onto a scrap piece of acrylic. It helped with proof of concept, and I spent ages glueing the pins in with high-viscosity superglue. Once I started wrapping, however, the spaces were far too narrow between pins. I realised very quickly it would be far too fiddly for the group to do. I used normal embroidery thread and found it liked to unravel at inopportune moments.

Planning the workshop

So – I knew I would have at least 10 crosses to prepare, and that the gents in the group were not likely to be able to pop all the pins in, both in regard to dexterity and the time available. I edited my cut file to make the piece large and the pinholes a smidge smaller. I then found that I could push the pins in without needing glue to secure them. A big time saver. By chance, the metallic thread I purchased worked out to be within an inch of the right length to complete the threading with one skein.

I also knew that I would need to simplify the thread wrapping process and came up with a cunning plan – a colour guide. The beauty of the clear acrylic was that the cross could be placed over the guide and the design ‘traced’ with the thread.

Making notes

• Start the wrap with just a simple knot. Leave a tail about 2-3 inches long for tying the other end
• If the thread wrapping doesn’t go exactly to plan, tie off the end on a pin. Start the new thread on the same pin
• Add a spot of superglue on any knots to secure them before snipping off the tails
• Wrap the thread in the same direction around each pin
• If a pin pops out, pray that a) you discover where it pinged to, and b) the previous wrapping doesn’t unravel too far. A spot of superglue will help secure it. It happens as not all pins ended up to be the same diameter with quite a wide tolerance.
• The strings will need pushing down toward the base of the pins to leave room for the edge wrapping
• Leave the edge wrapping to last
• The bases are attached by friction fit to avoid glue marks on the acrylic.

And the results?

All the guys completed their pieces and were delighted with the finished items. Inevitably, we went over time, but not by much for this workshop. And due to helping out those who were slower to finish, I neglected to take photos of the completed pieces.

Shopping list

• 5mm clear acrylic (reclaimed COVID screens)
• Gold and silver metallic embroidery thread
• Nail assortment 3x10mm
• Laser cut on xTool P2S to my own design

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Gratuitous plug

I’m always happy to discuss bespoke workshops for your group. These can be held in my studio or in a place of your choosing – it depends on the project. I’ve hosted Christmas work parties, church home groups and guest artists. Just get in contact to start the ball rolling.