How to make a decorated clothespin. It's so easy! I have these on my refrigerator and love them @littlegirldesigns.com

Decorated Clothespin Crafts

There is a wall in our living room that was begging for some sort of decoration when we moved in so I tacked up a long piece of twine and hung various pictures and quotes with clothespins on the line. The clothespins I used were bought for a creative retreat I hosted years ago and were just your typical plain clothespins, nothing fancy. But lately I’ve been seeing decorated clothespins crafts everywhere. They are so very cute, especially the ones that are painted or covered in washi tape.

Unfortunately, I actually don’t have any washi tape (I know, the horrors!) but I still wanted to add a little color to those clothespins. I went looking for some scrapbook paper in my craft drawers and found an old card that I had kept because I loved the pattern so much. Perfect!

This craft is so easy and satisfying—I made these within fifteen minutes of finding the paper. Now that’s my kind of craft!

How to Make Decorated Clothespin Crafts

These two decorated clothespin crafts that are so easy you’ll wonder why you were tempted to ever buy a cute decorated clothespin.

You Will Need:

Plain wooden clothespins
White glue
Q-tip or foam brush (to apply glue; you can also use your finger)
Pencil
Card or card stock
Scissors
Self-adhesive magnets cut to size (These business-card sized magnets are what I used.)

How to make a decorated clothespin. It's so easy! I have these on my refrigerator and love them @dev.jenniemoraitis.com

First, place your clothespin on the wrong side (non-patterned) side of the card or card stock and trace the outline with a pencil. Do this for each clothespin. Cut out the strips of paper.

Now apply a thin layer of glue on the top of the clothespin and place the paper on top. Press gently and make sure the paper is aligned to the clothespin. Add a little glue to the patterned side of the paper and smooth out. This will give your clothespins a nice matte finish.

Let completely dry and you’re done!

To make the magnet, cut a flat magnet with self-adhesive to fit on half of the clothespin. Once the clothespin is completely dry, affix your magnet to the back. These are great on the refrigerator for photos though I also have one in our office that holds a sketch that I drew.

How to make a decorated clothespin. It's so easy! I have these on my refrigerator and love them @dev.jenniemoraitis.com

These clothespins also make great gifts! Make a set and package them in a clear gift bag—maybe even attach them to a bit of twine. So cute!

This post is part of a series I’m doing in April about using what you have in your craft stash or around your house to create lovely and cute crafts. To read more, start here.

Have a lovely {and creative} day!


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24 responses to “Decorated Clothespin Crafts”

  1. Johanna Avatar
    Johanna

    Great idea! I was trying to think of something fun for the kid’s teachers for the end of the year. This would be cute along with some other items in a decorative container. 🙂 Thanks for sharing!

    1. Jennie Avatar
      Jennie

      Thanks! I think you’ll like making them–they’re so easy and satisfying. 🙂 I also wrote this post about Teacher Appreciation Day ideas that I think you’ll like. Interviewed mom and dad for their ideas. 🙂 You HAVE to check out the add-on gift. I don’t know why I’ve never thought of something like that but it would make a teacher’s day! 🙂 Thanks for commenting! 🙂

  2. Emma Avatar

    These are so pretty Jennie. I love quick crafts you can make with things you already have lying around. Great idea.

    1. Jennie Avatar
      Jennie

      Thanks so much, Emma! I didn’t realize these were so easy to make and here I’ve had plain old clothespins sitting around my house for years. Have fun making these! (warning, it is kind of addictive to make them. ;))

  3. Michelle Avatar

    My daughter made clothespins using washi tape. Have you tried that before? I like the pattern you chose for these. Very pretty.

    1. Jennie Avatar
      Jennie

      Thanks, Michelle! I haven’t tried decorating them with washi tape (yet) but that sounds like such a fun craft! I used a card that I had saved because I really liked the pattern. 🙂

  4. Linda Blatchford Avatar

    That’s a terrific decoration idea. And, I happen to have some clothespins I bought for a different project.

    http://linorstore.com/monday-twitter-tree/

    1. Jennie Avatar
      Jennie

      I think you’ll like making these–it is such an easy craft! 🙂

  5. Naomi @ Plaster & Disaster Avatar

    Wow, these are pretty! I love your fabric, but I particularly love that you can totally customize this based on what fabric you choose. I would love to do this in black and gold, or tweed/plaid for a boys room . Nice job!

    1. Jennie Avatar
      Jennie

      Thanks so much, Naomi! I actually used a paper card not fabric for this project. I had saved it because I loved the design. 🙂 And yes, there’s no limit to the designs you could create. It would be so fun to make different sets. I love how you think! 🙂

  6. Cyndi Avatar

    Clever idea for clothespins!

    1. Jennie Avatar
      Jennie

      Thanks, Cyndi!

  7. Carmia @ Clementine Creative Avatar

    These are so cute, Jennie! I like putting glitter to my mini clothespins too. Found you at the Tip Junkie link party 🙂

    1. Jennie Avatar
      Jennie

      Thanks! I love your idea about glitter–that would make them even better! Thanks for sharing. 🙂

  8. Karren Haller Avatar

    HI Jennie, I have seen your post in linkies and had to stop by and check out your post, I am making things for my daughters this year for Mothers Day, and your clothespin idea will work well with my decoupage hangers along with some handmade stick pins I have. A Hanging Idea!

    I would love for you to stop by and add your post to my Wordless Wednesday post this week. Hope to see you there.

    Hope you enjoy your day, and thanks for this cute idea!
    Karren
    xoxo

    1. Jennie Avatar
      Jennie

      I think these clothespins would pair really well with the hangers and stick pins–what a fun gift! And thanks for the invite–I’ll stop by now. 🙂

  9. Shirley Wood Avatar

    I really must get some Washi tape. These are just adorable. I think I’d decorate my clothespins for hanging out the laundry just for the fun of it. So glad you shared with us at Merry Monday.

    1. Jennie Avatar
      Jennie

      Thanks so much! They are kind of addictive to make, I’ll admit it! 🙂 I used a card (i.e. cardstock) but washi tape would be even faster! Thanks for your comment. 🙂

  10. Amanda Fettig Avatar

    These are adorable! I love the printed cardstock you chose. And I love that they could be magnets, too! These would be a perfect teacher gift. 🙂 Thanks for sharing at Motivational Monday! Hope to see you again on Sunday. Happy weekend! 🙂

    1. Jennie Avatar
      Jennie

      Thanks so much, Amanda! My sister said the same thing about a teacher gift–I love that idea. Thanks for stopping by and you have a great weekend too! 🙂

  11. Laura at Mommy Maleta Avatar

    Jennie, your blog is one of my favorites. I just love all your craft ideas. I will be featuring this post tomorrow at the Thoughtful Spot! Thanks for linking up your creativity!

    1. Jennie Avatar
      Jennie

      Laura, thank you so much for your sweet comment! You always make my day when you stop by 🙂 and thank you so much for the feature. Have a great rest-of-the-weekend!

  12. Katrin Avatar

    Hi Jennie,
    these are fantastic! absolutely cute! I love clothespins, but never ever had the idea of decorating them….how come!!! Will try this asap! the washi tape idea is great too! i do go washi crazy once in a while…
    thanks! take care

    1. Jennie Avatar
      Jennie

      I’m the same way–I’ve had plain clothespins on a little line in my living room (with pictures, etc. clipped to it) for several years and never once thought to decorate them. What was I thinking?! 🙂 So glad you stopped by! Have a great day!

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