Now that I'm getting the hang of blogging and all of the stuff that goes into making it work, I thought this would be the perfect time to try my hand at putting together a fun and informative series! And because so many of you seem to be enjoying projects and ideas related to the dollar store, I knew that had to be my main source of inspiration.
As you'll hear me say in the video I created, I've noticed that dollar stores are really starting to blossom when it comes to the world of DIY. The quality of their crafting supplies is growing, and they've even begun carrying easy-to-use kits inspired by popular DIY projects. So far, I've seen things like sock animal collections, tie dye sets, and wood photo kits. And when I noticed how affordable all of this stuff was, I realized it was the perfect subject for my series.
I've decided to call this collection of posts "Dollar Store Win or Bust," and for the first instalment, I tested a simple string art kit I came across at my local Dollarama. To find out how it went, check out my full video review below!
Materials
String art kit
Miniature easel (optional)
This crafting kit came with everything I needed to create a fun piece of string art, including a pre-nailed base and two sets of colourful thread. There were a number of designs for me to choose from, but I thought the llama was the cutest.
Tip: When searching for one of these string art sets, keep your eyes peeled for miniature easels, too. These things are great for displaying small projects, and can even be used as letter board holders.
Now, because the nails were so close together (and because I'd never worked on a piece of string art before), it did take some time to get into a smooth and productive flow. I found that if I wasn't holding the thread tightly enough, it would slip off of the nails I'd just looped. However, once I figured out the best way to hold the thread and maneuver the wooden base, I was able to string the design very quickly.
Also, if you watched the video, you'll know that I wasn't 100% happy with the way my piece turned out the first time I worked on it. I didn't put enough time into thinking about how my use of the two thread colours would actually turn out. Because of that, my adorable llama wound up looking like a weird chicken/llama hybrid, lol.
But the kit actually came with a decent amount of thread, so I ended up swapping the colours and redoing the entire piece. As you can see, the freaky llamacken is no-more, and I now have a super cute piece of decor to display in our home.
I definitely consider these string art kits a dollar store win, and I highly recommend grabbing a few if you happen to see them at a location near you. It's a great activity for both kids and adults, and is a fun way to pass the time on a rainy or snowy day.
If you enjoyed part one of my "Dollar Store Win or Bust" series, I'm happy to report that there's plenty more where it came from, so stay tuned. To avoid a serious case of FOMO, remember to subscribe! Not only will you be the first to know about what's next, you'll also receive a fun FREEBIE I whipped up.
Happy crafting!
