Getting Started
So yesterday I saw these crazy nail art pictures online and thought, “Hey, got a hammer and some old nails in the garage – why not try this myself?” Dug through my junk drawer for supplies:
- Bent nails from last year’s fence repair
- A warped piece of plywood covered in dust
- Cheap acrylic paint that probably dried up
The Messy Attempt
Sketching the damn design took FOREVER. Tried drawing a simple tree first. Looked like a blob with sticks. Grabbed my trusty yellow hammer and started pounding nails around the outline. Immediately bent three nails because I hit ’em sideways. Wood split near the corner too – should’ve sanded it first probably. Sweat dripping into my eyes while trying to straighten the bent nails with pliers.
Thread Disaster
Found some red yarn in my craft bin. Wrapped it around nails like those fancy Instagram posts. Tugged too hard and POP! Three nails flew out like bullets. Had to re-hammer them crooked as hell. Tried making geometric patterns next. Ended up with a spiderweb that looked like it was made by a drunk spider.
Paint Catastrophe
The dried paint? Yeah, added water until it looked like gray soup. Slapped it on the wood background. Big mistake. Grain swelled up weird. When I glued on random spare screws for “texture,” the whole thing warped like a potato chip. Almost threw it at the wall.
Finally Something Okay
Scrapped that crap and grabbed tiny nails from a picture-hanging kit. Pounded ’em super close together for a heart shape. Used fishing line instead of yarn – way stronger. Still messed up spacing near the top curve but whatever. Dabbed silver nail polish on the nail heads for shine. Actually looks kinda decent from across the room with squinted eyes.
Lessons Learned
- Don’t use warped wood unless you want abstract modern art
- Thinner nails = less splitting
- Fishing line doesn’t snap like grandma’s yarn
Would I try again? Yeah, but next time I’m wearing safety goggles – nearly took my eye out when a nail ricocheted off the garage wall. Definitely more satisfying than scrolling on my phone though!
