Clothespins Aplenty

The Multipurpose Clothespin

We have a fondness for clothespins! For fun my daughters and I have even decorated clothespins.  Lately I seem to see one on every surface and around every corner in our home. My favorites are the old, weathered-wood peg style clothespins. 

One-piece wooden clothes-pegs were invented by the Shaker community in the 1700s.

The first design resembling the modern clothespin was patented in 1853. 

What can a humble, little clothespin do?

Prevent spoons from getting lost in the soup pot.

Hold rubber bands,

recipes, or old supermarket sales signs - 

Imagine that!  $.47 cents for a bag of potatoes! 

Hang special papers inside a kitchen cabinet. 

(see my post Displaying Art for a How To on adhering clothespins to walls)

Hang children's art.

Organize paper stuff like "to do" piles.

Seal open packages.

Wish Happy Birthday.

Make lunch or gift bags a bit more fun.
Become animal legs,

big and small.

Celebrate Christmas,

Valentine's Day,

or spring.

Instead of laundry on the line, pictures on the line.

 Peg type pins disguise as Mary and Joseph.
Look pretty packaged for gifts.
Decorate a Clothespin "How To"...

Supplies

Clothespins, glitter, Mod Podge, Foam paint brush, scissors, paper cutter, paper, adornments - (flowers, plastic insects, buttons, seasonal items)

How To:

Simply paint one side of the clothespin with a light coat of Mod Podge.

Then  

Sprinkle on glitter, allow to dry, then repeat on the other side. 

OR

Adhere paper strip (cut to clothespin dimension before gluing) to the clothespin. When dry, apply one more thin coat of Mod Podge. Repeat on other side.

OR

Use a small amount of hot glue to glue on adornments.