Altered Clothespins

My children are constantly bringing home art projects that they make in grade school. Although I would love to display them all permanently, there is not enough space in my home to do so. I was trying to think of a way that I could display their artwork in my scrap room, such that I could change the pictures frequently, just like a museum rotates its collections. (Well, perhaps more frequently than a museum.) I kept trying to think of a way to hang their artwork that didn't involve double-sided poster tape. Eventually, I thought of clothespins. I was originally planning to use regular-sized clothespins until I discovered these giant ones at a local craft store. They came in a variety of sizes, perfect for altering.

Instructions

1. First you need to purchase some wooden clothespins. Any size from the traditional small ones to the very large will work.
2. Choose a color scheme. I chose to use patterned papers and stickers from the same collection. Of course, you can certainly mix and match if you prefer.
3. Measure the clothespin. You want to leave the little metal hinge showing, so that it is clear that is a clothespin. You will need to measure the two rectangular sections that are facing. Cut rectangles of paper to the sizes that you just measured. Ink the edges of the papers if you would like.
   
   
   
   
4. Next adhere the paper to the clothespin using a suitable glue such as Mod Podge and wait for it to dry.
   
   
   
   
5. Decorate with stickers, ribbons, photos, embellishments, etc. Use a good adhesive like glue dots to keep your decorations from coming off. I used a glue dot in the back to position the ribbon and another one under the bow to hold it in place. I used a third glue dot to hold the die-cut snowflake in place.
   
   

This project is very simple to make and turns out well. They can be used to give as gifts, to hold the mail, or to hang artwork as I am doing. This is a quick fun project with lots of uses. I hope you enjoy making them as much as I did.