Thursday, October 25, 2012

Clothespin Icicle/Teardrop Ornament




 
Over the years, my wooden clothespins (with metal spring) often broke.  I kept all the pieces and stored them in empty food jars for crafting or school projects.

To make these ornaments, you will need:

~2 pieces of wooden clothespins that have broken (or simply remove the spring from one)

~strong glue such as E6000

~drill and 1/8 inch drill bit (a smaller one would work also, but keep in mind the size of the thread you will run through the hole)

~Safety gloves/eye wear

~white acrylic paint (or color of your choice)

~paint brush

~string, yarn, chenille stem, other other hanger of your choice

 (painted teal and covered with clear and silver glitter)

~embellishment ideas:  glitter, beads, buttons, fake snow, or ribbon.

Version #1
1. Glue the wooden pieces together, with flat sides together.  Allow to dry.


2. Turn the glued pieces to the side and drill a hole through the top portion, using a safe work surface.
 


3. Paint the wooden pieces, and allow to completely dry. 
Optional:  With a thin layer of white glue, add a thin layer of clear glitter.


4. String a piece of yarn, ribbon, twine, or other scrap string through the hole you drilled and knot the ends.  

Optional:  Use thin jewelry wire, and run it through the drilled hole, leave enough for a hanger, and twist the wire as shown.

Add beads onto the wire of your choice.  This takes about 12 inches of wire.  


5. To secure the beads on the wire, wrap the wire over the last bead, holding the beads tight together, and twist the wire around the section between the last bead and the one prior to it. 

5. Decorate the icicle as you prefer.



Version #2 - Teardrop Ornament

(Slide one cut end of string into the drilled hole, add bead(s) by stringing both cut ends through the bead, and then knot the cut ends of string.)


You can drill a hole at the other end and hang this as a teardrop ornament.  Run the string or wire, and add a coordinating colored bead at the top.  I used a 3/32 drill bit to drill a smaller hole at the thinner end of this ornament.

If you have trouble getting the string/thread through the hole of the bead, use a needle to pull it through.  

To secure the bead, simply add a dab of strong glue, underneath each added beadHang the ornament to dry completely.

Apply a thin layer of white glue (I used Elmer's), and sprinkle glitter over the glue.  Hang to dry completely.

Tip:  Use a recycled foam food tray to catch the glitter. 

 



Eliminate the wire, and wrap rick-rack around it.  Or simply leave it as is.

These clothespins have inspired more ornament ideas, as this shape could be used for dolls, angels, soldiers and more. 

Watch for more postings.  
             

2 comments:

Katmom said...

I need to send this idea to my childhood BFF, in Germany.... she will luv it!
Thanx for the fun idea.
>^..^<

Unknown said...

hey that was great ideas, loved it