String Art Contest 2025 presented by Nail it!!

Event Outline

theme

" String art using nails and thread "

  • Unique and creative work
  • Works that you'll want to tell someone about (share)
  • A work that shows the concept and passion behind the work

Application Deadline

Until 23:59 on Saturday, January 31, 2026

prize

<Adults section>

  • Grand Prize (1 person): 5,000 yen coupon (no minimum purchase requirement) that can be used on our EC site (WAKAI Online Store DIY & LIFE GOODS), digital certificate
  • Runner-up (2 winners): 3,000 yen coupon for use on our online store (no minimum purchase required), digital certificate
  • Special Jury Prize (5 winners): 1,000 yen coupon for use on our online store (no minimum purchase required), digital certificate

<Children's Section>

  • Grand Prize (1 person): Nail It product assortment worth 5,000 yen, trophy
  • Runner-up (2 people): Nail It product assortment worth 3,000 yen, trophy
  • Special Jury Award (5 winners): Nail It product assortment worth 2,000 yen, certificate
  • Nail It Award (1 person): Nail It Kit commercialization, certificate

*The winning works that are commercialized may be modified in part as appropriate.

<Participation Prize>

500 yen coupon for use at WAKAI Online Store DIY & LIFE GOODS (available for purchases of 3,000 yen or more including tax)

Eligibility

Anyone can enter this contest, regardless of whether or not they purchase a product.

<Adults section>

Anyone of any age can apply. It's free.

<Children's Section>

The contest is open to anyone aged 15 or under. There is no charge for entry.
*This offer is available to those born on or after April 2, 2010.

How to Apply

Please take a photo of your work and submit it. There are two ways to apply:
If you take photos with a smartphone, please take them at as large a size (high quality) as possible.

■ Instagram

★You can apply even if you don't follow us.

Please submit a photo of your work and include the following in your submission:

  • Title
  • Comments on the work
  • Application category (adult or children's)
  • Hashtag "#StringArtContest2025"

■ Google Forms

Fill out the necessary information, attach a photo of your work, and submit the form during the application period.



Work regulations

  • There is no size restriction.
    (Since the second round of judging is a physical examination, applicants will be responsible for packaging materials and shipping costs.)
  • The nails, thread, and other materials used in your creations are not limited to our products.
  • You do not need to submit an original work to participate. (As long as the work does not infringe on the copyrights or portrait rights of others, it is acceptable to submit the work.)
  • You can also submit works using Nail it!! kit products or pattern sheets (designs) provided by our company.

Screening Method

<First round of judging> Judging based on photos of works

The entries will be judged based on photos of the work.
We plan to contact those who pass the first round of screening in mid-February 2026. Applicants who applied via Instagram will be contacted via DM from the official Nail It Instagram account, and applicants who applied via Google Form will be contacted by email. When we contact you, we will send you a special form, so please fill in the necessary information.

<Second round of screening> Actual screening *Works must be sent

The judges will review the works that pass the first round of judging to select the outstanding works. The judging and exhibition of the works is scheduled for mid- to late March 2026.

  • Please send your work to a designated location for screening and exhibition. Entrants are responsible for packaging materials and shipping costs.
  • You can participate in the exhibition.
  • Works will be returned regardless of whether they have won an award or not. After the judging or exhibition is over, they are scheduled to be returned in late April 2026.
  • The return of the works that won the Nail It Award in the Children's Division will be delayed due to commercialization. The expected return date is around July 2026. It will take longer than other award-winning works, and we appreciate your understanding.
  • The winning entries will be announced on our website and social media.

Judging Criteria

  1. Creativity : We evaluate how well you express your ideas and perspectives. We also evaluate whether your work is original, such as by combining different materials.
  2. Expression and technique : We evaluate the level of expression and technique. What is the technical element of string art?
  3. Storytelling : We evaluate your storytelling ability, including the development of the story and theme, character portrayal, etc. Whether the emotion and message are conveyed easily.
  4. Imagination and creativity : We evaluate your imagination and creativity. Were you able to think from a variety of ideas and perspectives?

Special Judges

Koji Okada, Director of the Thread Design Institute

In January 2018, with the aim of "eliminating the misconception that 'prime number thread mandalas' are all over the internet," she started disseminating accurate information on threading and new design techniques based on arithmetic and mathematics. As of July 2023, she is spreading the joy and infinite possibilities of threading with 480 friends around the world, with the goal of "one day making threading a culture."

Aiko Yoshikawa, Representative Director of the Thread Mandala Association

In 2014, while living in the mountains of Nepal, she started creating thread mandalas to express a colorful world. After returning to Japan in July 2017, she established the Thread Mandala Association, a general incorporated association, and has been holding various workshops for adults and children around the country, training thread mandala instructors, and holding exhibitions.
He currently splits his time between the Mandala Dome House in Azumino and Yokohama.

Books: "Enjoy Colors: Thread Mandalas"

Artist: Arisa Chinen

Born in Kanagawa Prefecture.
Graduated from the Department of Fine Art at the University of the Arts London, and completed the Master's and Doctoral programs at the Department of Inter-Media Art at Tokyo University of the Arts.
Chinen's work, an accumulation of "drawings" that have a certain delicacy and fragility, focuses on the beauty that is overlooked as time passes by quickly and the injustice of society. Through repetitive manual tasks such as pointillism and string art, he constantly attempts to capture the moment of "now."

(Titles omitted, in no particular order)

Result Announcement Date

Scheduled to be announced in late March 2026

Application Terms

If you are applying for the contest, please be sure to read the application terms and conditions.

If you have any questions, please contact us using the inquiry form .

See the results for 2024

See the 2023 results