Creating simple wall art using rope can be a fun and creative way to add a unique touch to your living space. It is also time for the next challenge for our International Blogger’s challenge club (IBC). Each month we get together to create a project around a common theme.  And I am sure you have guessed by now the theme is “Rugged Ropes and Twisted Twine”. This simple rope wall was my contribution. More about (IBC) at the end of this post.

My idea was to glue different types of macrame ropes and other twisted cords into photo frames to create simple rope wall art. I was not 100% sure it would work and look good so I chose to do a smaller project first. But in hindsight, I think this project would be a lot easier to do on a larger canvas.

How to make simple rope wall art

Materials needed

**This post may contain affiliate links. This means I earn a small commission on links used at no extra cost to you. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.**

1. Repurposed picture frames (choose frames that are sturdy )
2. Macramé rope or cord (choose different thicknesses) I used 5mm and 10mm
3. Other cords or strings for added texture and to add some colour
4. Scissors
5. Glue gun or adhesive (for securing the rope to the frames)

Prepare the frames

Remove the glass, backing, and any existing artwork or photographs from the picture frames. Clean the frames to remove any dust or dirt. You can paint the frames to match your decor if you like, I chose to keep the dark frame so the rope would stand out more.

Next, put the back into the frame and draw a pencil line around the inside edge. This is the guide to show where to stop adding rope so the back will fit in the frame at the end.

My idea was to have a flowing pattern across the 3 frames that I would be using. I used some tape and taped the frames together to keep them in place.

How to stop the rope from unravelling

If you have worked with macrame rope you will know it is a pain in the butt to work with because the ends unravel very easily. To stop this from happening I wrapped some tape tightly around the end and cut the end to get a nice straight edge.

Next, I used some Crafter’s pick ultimate glue and rubbed some on the ends and left them to dry. I did not remove the tape until the end so I could keep going with the project. For the thinner macrame rope, you can simply put some glue on your fingers and twist the end together.

If you are using nylon rope you can melt the ends using a lighter, but be careful not to burn yourself. You can use silicon fingers or the old fashion method of licking your fingers before squeezing the ends together.

Glue the macrame rope design

For this tutorial, I kept the design very basic. I started using the thickest rope and glued it in a waving pattern down the middle of all three frames.

I used the crafters pick ‘The ultimate” glue to glue the rope in place. The reason I chose this glue is that it is thick enough to hold the rope in place but it also allows you to move the rope if you are unhappy with the design. You can use hot glue but with past projects, I have found that the hot glue can seep through the thinner rope and spoil your work.

Once you are happy with the shape of your first wavy line the next few are simple. You simply add some glue next and add the next piece of rope. I repeated this step with different colour cords to make the design stick out more.

To make the swirls, I added a circle of glue and rolled the rope around in a circle.

Once you have the main design in place it is time to fill in the gaps.

First I added some glue before I zig-zagged the rope into the gaps.

As an alternative to the zig-zag pattern, you can add the “rainbow pattern” or just use straight pieces with the ends twisted with glue. Next, I used a craft knife to cut the ropes that joined the 3 frames and put them into the frames.

Filling in the gaps

Once you have finished you might find you have small gaps you could cover as shown below. I thought they spoil the look so I wanted to fill them in.

To fill the gaps I made some small balls using scraps of rope. I added a small amount of glue to the palm of my hand and used my fingers to roll the rope and glue into a small ball.

I used a dotting tool to push the ball into the gaps, which worked perfectly. Repeated this step until you have filled in all the gaps. to fill in all the gaps.

Hanging the frames

I chose to use sisal rope so it would blend into my theme. Using a stapler staple the rope onto the back of the frames. Mine already had staples which I reused and just hammered in place to secure the rope. And we are done.

Remember to be creative and experiment with different patterns and designs to make your rope wall art unique and personalized. Enjoy the process and have fun crafting!

Here are two other projects you can make using macrame rope. I repurpose a bamboo steamer into a wall-mounted toilet roll holder.

You can make a beaded wall hanging.

More about IBC

If you follow my blog you will know I am part of the IBC (International Bloggers Club) which is a group of talented bloggers from around the world. We have members from Spain, South Africa, Australia, the United States, and Canada. Each month we come together and create a project with a common theme.

To see the “Rugged Ropes and Twisted Twine ” contributions from my fellow bloggers joining us this month keep scrolling, please feel free to jump over and give them some love.

Rachel from Tea and Forget me not sharing this rope-floating shelf

Michelle from Acraftymix shared these unique rope planters

If you are looking for any of the items used in this project, please consider using our links. By clicking on the links we will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.  Which helps us come up with new and exciting ideas to share with you. Please feel free to share or leave a comment we would love to hear your thoughts.