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STRING ART BOOK BIBLIOGRAPHY

(last updated: September, 2021)

For something that has such a generic "meh" name, it is some breathtaking art. It's sometimes referred to as symmography, but that didn't seem to catch on even though it was catchier. I've never found a whole lot of books on the topic, though there are still quite a few kits floating around, and there are a couple of groups on Facebook that are primarily vehicles for professional artists in this discipline to gallery their work. Since I like to look, that's a good thing for me. So what is string art? It is lots of very fine nails or pins precisely placed in a board, then strung with string(or wire, or twine, or cord) in such a way that a picture or geometric design is formed by the string suspended above the board. The string can be at different depths for different parts of the picture in order to create even more depth. There are different ways of stringing to produce different effects. If you've never seen this form of artwork, you've missed a treat. It was popularized in the 1970's briefly, but has lain fallow until just recently, where there seems to be another small flurry of books and kits making the scene. It has gotten a lot more sophisticated, and there is one artist who has published an entire series of books that utilize computer programming to generate the designs. The ones that really gobsmack me though, are the photographic images created that look almost like black and white photos using only black thread. You will not believe your eyes. I'm scrounging for permission to use some images I really love to create a slideshow for you. I only have about 60 entries on this page(and about 20 reviews). I wish I knew more.

I've been working on a list of the types of string art and this is what I have so far: 3D- sculptural, geometric; 2D Pictorial- photographic, geometric, representational, silhouette and abstract, Layered, Mandalas. Feel free to dispute the list or add to it. The better I can define things, the easier it will be to explain this artform to others. I'm still looking for the ultimate bible on this artform - haven't found it yet.

Anyone with more information to share, corrections to make, or has books and magazines to donate or sell, can contact me(Leigh) through My Contact Page.

STRING ART CRAFT BOOKS CATALOG

ALPHABETICAL INDEX BY AUTHORS' LAST NAMES
(click on a letter for quick navigation)
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Journals and Magazines

A

Pix

Bibliography Entries

Cool String Art: Creative activities that make math & science fun for kids!, by Abdo Publishing Co. (HC:2014)
Notes: 32 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: Abdo Publishing Company, Minneapolis, MN; ISBN: 9781617838248;
This book was part of a 6-book series designed to put fun into education; This one was written by Anders Hanson and Elissa Mann;...

Crafts Encyclopedia: Illustrated Step-by-Step on 22 Popular Crafts, by American Handcrafts Co. (TPB:1973)
Notes: 184 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: American Handcrafts Company, Fort Worth, TX; ISBN: None;
DESIGNERS: Conchita Reyes Berry, Kay Brown, Barbara Carlton, Patti Carlton, Carol Cook, Sharon Corcoran, Willie Eppers, June Gooch, Pat Goodell, Betty Jordan, Margie McDaniels, Vivian Reynolds, Alpha Russell, Suzanne Stiles, Rod Ware, Sherry O. Waters...

String Art For All Seasons, by Darline Andelin (TPB:1991)
Notes: ?? pages; Country: USA; Publisher: Swift Learning Resources, ???; ISBN: 0944991963;
32 patterns for children...

String Art For All Seasons, Book II, by Darline Andelin (TPB:1992)
Notes: ?? pages; Country: USA; Publisher: Swift Learning Resources, ???; ISBN: 0944991955;
32 patterns for children...

Wire Art, Book 1, by Bobbe Anderson, Barbara Anderson Lau (TPB:1972)
Notes: 16 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: Self, ???; ISBN: None;
12 patterns...

JINO ANTONY is a prolific artist who has put out a series of books about string art design. In order to bring up the pop-up page, just click: JINO ANTONY

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B

String Art Magic: The Secrets to Crafting Geometric Art with String & Nail, by Rain Blanken-Turner (TPB:2018)
Notes: 144 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: Spring House Press, ???; ISBN: 9781940611730;
...

44 String and Nail Art Projects, edited by Vivien Bowler (HC:1974;1988)
Notes: 96 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: Crown Publishers, Inc., NY; ISBN: 9780517518878;
...

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C

Dimensional String Art Made Easy(Creative American Craft Series(HA 20)), by Creative American Crafts (TPB:1973)
Notes: 15 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: Hazel Pearson Handicrafts, Rosemead, CA; ISBN: None;
Irene Ritter was the designer for this one...

"3-Dimensional" String Art:Complete Instructions for Snail, Locomotive, Sailboat, Antique Guns, High Wheeler, and Seagull(Creative American Craft Series, HA31), by Creative American Crafts (TPB:1975)
Notes: 15 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: Hazel Pearson Handicrafts, Rosemead, CA; ISBN: None;
The two designers, Iris Wall, Irene Ritter, are sisters...

Creative String Art, Featuring Wire-Like Metallic Thread(Creative American Craft Series, HA39), by Creative American Crafts (TPB:1975)
Notes: 15 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: Hazel Pearson Handicrafts, Rosemead, CA; ISBN: None;
Iris Wall was the designer for this one...

Graphic Design String Art(Creative American Craft Series, HA50), by ??? (TPB:1976)
Notes: 15 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: Hazel Pearson Handicrafts, Rosemead, CA; ISBN: None;
...

Decorative String Art(Creative American Craft Series, HA61), by ??? (TPB:1977)
Notes: 15 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: Hazel Pearson Handicrafts, City of Industry, CA; ISBN: None;
...

*TITLE*, by AUTHOR (TPB:****)
Notes: ?? pages; Country: USA; Publisher: ???, ???; ISBN: ****;
...

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D

Tableux en fil, by Dessain and Tolra (TPB:1974)
Notes: 96 pages; Language: French; Publisher: Manu Presse, Canada; ISBN: 224922501X;
I believe this is Golden Hands' "Pictures With Pins" in French; I do not know if all the projects are exactly the same, but what I was able to get from descriptions match...

DIY String Art: 24 Designs to Create and Hang, by Jesse Dresbach (TPB:2016)
Notes: 128 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: Interweave Press, Blue Ash, Ohio; ISBN: 9781632504678;
...

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E

Big Book of String Art Templates: Animal Edition, by Emalie Eaton (TPB:2018)
Notes: 48 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: CreateSpace, ???; ISBN: 9781723102042;
...

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F

STRING ART: Do What You Love What You Do, by Nagel and Faden (HC:2015)
Notes: ?? pages; Country: GERMAN; Publisher: Kreativ Inspiration, ???; ISBN: 3772459900;
...

Pin and Thread Art, by Warren Farnworth (HC:1975)
Notes: 94 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: Taplinger Publishing Co., NY; ISBN: 0800864522;
...

Lawn String Art(kit), by Fashion Angels Enterprise (TPB:2018?)
Notes: ?? pages; Country: CHINA; Publisher: Fashion Angels Enterprise, China; ISBN: ****;
I thought this was a clever innovation and use for string art...

Thread Design, by Future Crafts Today (TPB:1974)
Notes: 33 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: Future Crafts Today, ???; ISBN: None;
...

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G

The Beautiful String Art Book: 100 projects you can create, edited and written by Raymond Gautard (HC:1978)
Notes: 162 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: Sterling Publishing Co., Inc., NY; ISBN: 0806953861;
...

Thread Design(HP-418), by James E. Gick (TPB:1974)
Notes: 33 pages, 1 sheet of patterns; Country: USA; Publisher: Hazel Pearson Handicrafts, Inc., Rosemead, CA; ISBN: None;
Make sure and ask if the pattern sheet is still with it before buying this on the used market...

Pictures With Pins: An exciting new craft with nails and thread, by Golden Hands (HC:1978)
Notes: 96 pages; Country: UK; Publisher: Marshall Cavendish Publications, Ltd., London; ISBN: 0856850594;
This was also released in French as "Tableux en fil"; DESIGNERS: James Alexander, Sue Blunden, Martin Coppard, Graham Elson, Bill Gutteridge, Paul Hutchinson, Edith Payne, Sonia Pitcher, Linda Proud, Jim Urquhart, Frank White; EDITOR: Vivien Bowler...

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H

Cool String Art: Creative activities that make math & science fun for kids!, by Anders Hanson, Elissa Mann (HC:2014)
Notes: 32 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: Abdo Publishing Company, Minneapolis, MN; ISBN: 9781617838248;
This book was part of a series designed to put fun into education...

String Art: Create 35 Fantastic Projects by Winding, Looping, and Stitching With String, by Lucy Hopping (TPB:2016)
Notes: 128 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: Cima Books, ???; ISBN: 9781782493617;
...

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I

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J

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K

STRING ART: Symmography, Three-Dimensional Creative Designs with Yarn without Knotting or Knitting, by Lois Kreischer (TPB:1971;1974(9th))
Notes: 62 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: Crown Publishers Inc., NY; ISBN: 051704901;
...

String Art Pattern Book, by Lois Kreischer (TPB:1976)
Notes: 64 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: Crown Publishers Inc., NY; ISBN: 0517523965;
...

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L

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M

Cool String Art: Creative activities that make math & science fun for kids!, by Anders Hanson, Elissa Mann (HC:1980)
Notes: 32 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: Abdo Publishing Company, Minneapolis, MN; ISBN: 9781617838248;
This book was part of a series designed to put fun into education...

The String Art Dot-to-Dot Book: Create your own stunning displays of string art, by Patricia Moffett (TPB:2019)
Notes: 84 pages; Country: UK; Publisher: Welbeck Publishing Group, ???; ISBN: 9781787393585;
...

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N

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O

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P

Kitschy Crafts: A Celebration of Overlooked 20th Century Crafts, by Jo Packham, Matt Shay (TPB:2006)
Notes: 128 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: Sterling Publishing Co., Inc., NY; ISBN: 9781402717543;
...

String Art Made Easy:31 colorful pictures you can make, by Pack-O-Fun (TPB:1975)
Notes: 34 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: Pack-O-Fun, Park Ridge, IL; ISBN: None;
...

The Family Creative Workshop, Vol. 18(of 22), edited by Steven Schepp (HC:1976)
Notes: 122 pages; Language: English; Publisher: Plenary Publications International, NY, USA; ISBN: 9780884590187;
      Volume 18 has the String Art tutorial...

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Q

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R

Dimensional String Art Made Easy(Creative American Craft Series(HA 20)), by Irene Ritter (TPB:1973)
Notes: 15 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: Hazel Pearson Handicrafts, Rosemead, CA; ISBN: None;
...

Pin Pictures With Wire and Thread(Little Craft Book Series), by Marie Claude Riviere (HC:1975)
Notes: 48 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: Sterling Publishing Co., Inc., NY; ISBN: 0806953403;
My current copy of this book had page 30/31 torn out of it; I've listed all the "Little Craft Book Series" here as well...

Pictures With Pins: An exciting new craft with nails and thread(Golden Hands), by Bryan Royle (HC:1974)
Notes: 96 pages; Country: UK; Publisher: Marshall Cavendish Ltd., London, UK; ISBN: 0856850594;
There is a softcover(ISBN:085685****)...

More Pictures With Pins: Another smash-hit selection of brand new designs(Golden Hands), by Bryan Royle (TPB:1978)
Notes: 120 pages; Country: UK; Publisher: Marshall Cavendish Ltd., London, UK; ISBN: 0856854352;
There is a hardcover(ISBN:0856853720)...

Mandala String Art, by Dennis Rozema (TPB:2020)
Notes: 136 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: Self, ???; ISBN: 9798685093516;
...

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S

String Things You Can Create(Little Craft Book Series), by Glen Saeger (HC:1973)
Notes: 50 pages; Country: AUST; Publisher: ???, Aust.; ISBN: ****;
...

String Art: No Nails Needed(#8609), by Annette Schmidt (HC:1981)
Notes: 20 pages; Country: ??; Publisher: Judy/Instructo, ???; ISBN: 0382295234;
...

Create-A-Craft: String Art, Grades 3-6: Reproducible Patterns, by School Specialty Publishing (TPB:2001)
Notes: 48 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: School Specialty Publishing, ???; ISBN: 9780768201567;
...

Designing In String(#7136,The Royal-Craft Library), by Robert E Sharpton (TPB:1972)
Notes: 32 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: Cunningham Art Products, Inc., Stone Mountain, GA; ISBN: None;
...

Designing Pictures With String, by Robert E. Sharpton (COMB:1974)
Notes: ?? pages; Country: USA; Publisher: Emerson Books, Inc., ??; ISBN: ??;
...

String Art: Step-by-Step(Chilton's Creative Crafts Series), by Robert E. Sharpton (HC:1975)
Notes: 138 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: Chilton Book Co., Radnor, PA; ISBN: 0801961319;
...

Start Off In String Art, by Robert E. Sharpton (COMB:1975)
Notes: 23 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: Chilton Book Co., Radnor, PA; ISBN: 9780801961335;
...

String Art 2: 10 Designs Using Yarn and Cord, by Kristi Simpson (TPB:****)
Notes: ?? pages; Country: USA; Publisher: Leisure Arts, ???; ISBN: ****;
...

String Art Patterns: 37+ easy to intermediately hard String Art Paper Templates, by Smilonada (TPB:2020)
Notes: 50 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: Self, ???; ISBN: 9798567681381;
...

String Art Encyclopedia, by Sterling Publishing Co. (TPB:1976)
Notes: 128 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: Sterling Publishing Co., ???; ISBN: 9780806953625;
...

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T

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U

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V

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W

"3-Dimensional" String Art:Complete Instructions for Snail, Locomotive, Sailboat, Antique Guns, High Wheeler, and Seagull(Creative American Craft Series, HA31), by Iris Wall, Irene Ritter (TPB:1975)
Notes: 15 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: Hazel Pearson Handicrafts, Rosemead, CA; ISBN: None;
The two designers are sisters...

Creative String Art, Featuring Wire-Like Metallic Thread(Creative American Craft Series, HA39), by Iris Wall (TPB:1975)
Notes: 15 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: Hazel Pearson Handicrafts, Rosemead, CA; ISBN: None;
My current copy of this is missing its pull-out insert of the patterns...

Cool String Arts, by Lori Wenger (TPB:2017)
Notes: 32 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: Leisure Arts, ???; ISBN: 9781464767562;
10 designs: Pineapple, Cactus, Wall clock, Ice Cream Cone, Aztec, "Be Happy", Colorful Abstract, Flowers, Black and White Circles, "You and Me"...

String Art Mansions, by Jack Williams (TPB:1975)
Notes: 15 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: Craft Course Publishers, Inc., Rosemead, CA; ISBN: None;
...

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XYZ

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STRING ART MAGAZINE CATALOG

This section is uncharactaristically sparse. I've listed what little I could find, but string art did not register as more than a brief blip blink-and-you'll-miss-it on the magazine radar.

"1001 Craft Ideas", Published by Family Media Inc., NY (Began Publication: September 1981)
Notes: Ended Publication: Unknown; Publishing Frequency: Unknown; Size: Magazine; Country: USA; ISSN: Unknown; Type: Crafting; Website: None;
Sept. 1981 issue has an article, I think...

"Crafts 'n Things", Published by Clapper Publishing Co., Inc., Park Ridge, IL (Began Publication: Apr./May 1975)
Notes: Ended Publication: Ongoing; Publishing Frequency: Bi-monthly; Size: Magazine; Country: USA; ISSN: 0146-6607; Type: Crafting; Website: http://www.craftsnthings.com/
My catalog of this title is not complete, but I've only found one String Art article so far: Dec/Jan. 1977 "Holiday String Quartet- Tree, Angel, Wreath and Tree Ornaments" - designers name wasn't given...

"Creative Crafts", Published by Model Craftsman Publishing Corporation, Ramsey, NJ (Began Publication: Fall 1967)
Notes: Ended Publication: Dec. 1985?; Publishing Frequency: BiMonthly; Size: magazine; Country: USA; ISSN: 0011-0884; Type: Crafting;
Merged with "The Miniature Magazine" to become "Creative Crafts & Miniatures" in 1983;
ARTICLES:
      May/June 1970 "Nail Collage" by Lisa Kessler;
      Jan/Feb. 1972 "String a Fish" by Phyllis Ahike;
      Jul/Aug. 1972 "Symmography" by Robert E. Sharpton(his work on the cover!);
      Nov/Dec 1972 "Yule String Along" by Robert E. Sharpton; and they advertised several string art kits, which were popular;
      May/June 1974 "Space Looms: Thread In Dimension" by Jim Carlson;
      my catalog of this magazine is not complete, so there may be others...

"Decorating & Craft Ideas", Published by Unknown, Birmingham, Ala. (Began Publication: January 1971)
Notes: Ended Publication: Unknown; Publishing Frequency: Monthly; Size: Magazine; Country: USA; ISSN: Unknown; Type: Crafting; Website: None; becomes "Creative Ideas For Living"
March 1975 "Meditation Wheel"; I don't have enough of these issues to catalog yet, so there may well be many more articles here that I haven't found yet...

"Design", Published by Unknown, ??? (Began Publication: ???)
Notes: Ended Publication: Unknown; Publishing Frequency: Uknown; Size: Magazine; Country: USA; ISSN: Unknown; Type: Crafting; Website: None;
"Doing the String Thing"by R. Sharpton(Midwinter 1972); ...

I used this website to generate my Review button: All they asked in return was for me to include a link to their service somewhere on my website. Here's the link, and thank you very much for the nice professional looking button!

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