Lots of people have quit using clothes pins, thanks to the modern dryer, but some people still hang clothes out to dry. Whether you do or don’t hang clothes out you can use some of the clothes pins you have to make fabulous crafts. Here are a few that are quick and easy:
A Styrofoam disk, and a small dowel rod, along with several clothes pins, can be made into a unique photo display. Insert the rod into the center of the Styrofoam disk, remove it, add a dot of glue, then replace the dowel. Now glue clothes pins onto the rod, in random spots, horizontally or angled. The clothes pins can hold several pictures of a particular theme, or just an assortment. Instead of the Styrofoam you can use a jar lid or an old cd as the base. Instead of a dowel you can also use a skewer, with the points cut off. It’s a cute display that will grab the attention of others.
Use an old yard stick, along with several clothes pins, to make a tie and scarf holder. Glue several clothes pins to the yard stick, pointing the mouth of the pin downward. Use a couple of screws to mount the yard stick in your closet or wardrobe. Now just squeeze the clothes pin to capture scarves, empty purses, ties and more.
Use a wooden ruler to make a drawing holder for your child’s school work. Glue a clothes pin on each end, and in the center, to hold pictures and drawings, announcements and other paperwork from school. Put magnets on the back and hang the ruler on the fridge. Kids will love bringing home their artwork and displaying it for all to see.
An old belt can quickly become a photo display, too. Simply hang the belt buckle on a nail, screw, or magnet, then glue the clothes pins several inches apart, all the way down the belt. The clothes pins can hold photos, award ribbons, business cards, and more.
Cut a shape from cardboard, felt or foam. The shape can be a snake, a butterfly, or your choice of other images. Glue the backside of the shape to the top of a clip clothespin. Embellish the shape with sequin, paint, markers, or whatever you might have at home. These make great potato chip bag clips, or can hold other bags closed. They make great housewarming gifts, when given in a set, or can be handed out to friends and family as a thank-you.
Paint clothes pins and place a magnetic strip on the back. Hang them on the refrigerator for family notes and appointment reminders. You can make little faces on the clothes pins, polka-dot them, or just color them a solid shade. Use small strips of contact paper to decorate, or glue on sequin or tiny jewels. There’s no limit to the designs you can make.
Take two small, thin pieces of wood and place glue on one flat side. Lay the edge of an old cd in the glue, then glue on the second piece of wood. After you’ve trapped about a fourth of the cd between the two wooden pieces, allow to dry. Now glue clothes pins on the back of the cd to hold photos. The clothes pins should be glued on to where the mouth of the pin is at the top edge of the cd, so that the photos will rise above the cd. You can decorate the cd with pieces of felt, foam or fabric. It’s a very unique display that can sit on a shelf in most any room.
If you don’t use your clothes pins anymore, or even if you do, take a few of them and try making a craft or two, for you or a friend. You’ll enjoy making the clothespin crafts and you’ll have a few new handy things around the house.
Reference:
- Buy clothes pins here: www.orientaltrading.com
