Charming Custom Clothespins + Tutorial

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must preface this entry by saying the following:

I♥Clothespins.

Sweet, fun, custom clothespins, that is. You know, the cute ones that are painted and papered and all dolled up just for our sheer viewing pleasure. I've been making them here and there for two or three years now and it just never gets old. Though I never use them to hang clothes, they sure are sweet to use as accessories: piled in a bowl or clear jar, clamped on some horizontally hung wired twine to hold papers, notes, and photos, or you could even attach small rare earth magnets to the back and put them on the fridge. Whatever you do with them, they are sure to add a little something sweet to your home. Here's how you can make your own charming custom clothespins. {If you just want to see my clothespins and skip the tutorial, just scroll down to the bottom}

...And if you want to check out some other great ideas, be sure to visit the other Make Your Monday projects contributed by some very creative and talented bloggers!

{I have say at this point that I am terrible at writing tutorials. Sometimes I'll write like I'm doing the project and sometimes I'll write like you're doing the project. I hope that's not too confusing. Me, You, or Uncle Hank - the instructions should still work for all of us. Hear that, Uncle Hank?}

A few things you'll need: clothespins, spray paint, a wire hanger, a small flat brush, Elmer's glue, and decorative paper {scrapbook paper, wrapping paper, vintage ephemera - whatever strikes your fancy!}. It is helpful to have a paper cutter, but not necessary...you can just use a ruler and scissors instead. Optional supplies are clear spray topcoat, fine glitter, and fine sandpaper.



I like to paint my clothespins before I paper them and I've found that the easiest way to do this is to spray paint them while they are clipped to a wire hanger. I make sure I leave enough space between clothespins so that I can easily spray them. I clip them on in such a way that end of the clothespin is open a bit so that I can spray paint as much of the pin as possible. I straighten the hook of the hanger and use it as a handle. I can easily rotate the hanger with the "handle" to see all the nooks and crannies as I paint. Since you're covering the flat part of the clothespin, you don't have to worry about completely covering that part with paint. It is the sides and the ends that will need the most attention. After I spray the clothespins, I usually stick the hanger in a piece of styrofoam while the clothespins dry. If you want the paint on your clothespins to look distressed, you can sand them at this point. You can even apply another layer of paint in a different color and then sand them so that the first layer peeks through a bit. Or how about going over them with some brown glaze {before or even after adding paper} to make them look worn and old? So many possibilities!



Now we'll move on to the fun part...the paper! For my clothespins, I used a combination of scrapbook paper, old sheet music, and this lovely vintage brown polka dotted gift wrap.



You'll next need to cut out small strips of paper to cover the clothespins. Clothespins are about 3/8" wide and 3 1/4" long. I like to first cut a long strip 3/8" wide, then cut the length I need. It doesn't need to be exact, just so long as it covers most of the clothespin and doesn't overhang too terribly much. {You can cut or sand any excess off later}.




I don't know why, but it thrills me to see all these different tiny little strips of paper, especially when they are all stacked up. Kind of like when it thrills me to see stacks of quilt quarters, though I don't quilt. Or sew. Or anything with a needle.



When the clothespins are dry, run a narrow bead of glue across the flat part of the clothespin and then use the small flat brush to spread the glue to the edges.



And this is the part where the world gets to see my very not so pretty thumbnails.Next, just gently apply the paper to the top, pressing from the center outward to get rid of any excess glue and air bubbles. I did one side of all my clothespins, let them dry completely, then flipped them over and glued the paper to the other side.



I don't like for the paper on my clothespins to look new and crisp. I like for it to look like it's been around for a while. So I take some fine sand paper {150 grit} and gently sand the edges of the paper. You can click the photo below to see what this clothespin looked like after sanding the paper edges.



Optional:
At this point, you can call it a day and be finished with your beautiful custom clothespins, but if you like, you can give them a coat or two of clear topcoat. You can use whatever finish you prefer - matte, satin, or gloss. I think this was the first time I used a finishing spray and I'm not sure if I will again. I ran into a few problems with my topcoat actually changing the color of some of the old giftwrap paper I used {the polka dot paper} due to some kind of weird vintage chemical reaction. Who knew! But it was an easy fix...I just cut some new strips of paper and applied it over the first layer.



Another fun option is to ever so carefully apply glue to the metal spring of your clothespins {the flat brush and/or a toothpick works well} and then glitter it. Hubs especially loved this idea. {Ha!}



So how easy was that? Be warned, making these sweet little things is so addictive. I was just going to make 6 for this tutorial, then I decided on 9, and then 12 - and then "aw shucks, why not make 15?" If you try them, let me know as I would love to see them!

Do you want to see mine? I made them for my studio in the colors I'll be using in there - white, chocolate brown, vanilla, robins egg blue(ish), and red! Here are too many photos of 15 clothespins. {Taking photos of them is just as addictive as making them! Trying to get some photography practice in, too...}








{Here is the one with the glittered spring. I may go back and glitter all of them later. Do you like them better with or without the glitter?}


















If you make your own custom clothespin, please let me know as I would love to see them!
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Edited to add the link to another wonderful weekly link party, Metamorphosis Monday over at Between Naps of the Porch. Please check it out and be inspired!