Save your clothespins and copy these nifty ideas

What’s a common household tool that you likely take for granted? The humble clothespin! It’s enjoyed a heyday of late, as earth-friendly folk opt to dry their clothes outside on a line as opposed to inside in the dryer. Take our word for it, clothespins are versatile crafting tools too.
A wooden clothespin is the ultimate in simple and sophisticated design. When left natural and unpainted, it is Scandi-cool, while a coat of paint customizes the clothespin beautifully. Whether you choose to surround a picture frame with clothespins, fashion a garland out of them, or devote them to some other interesting project, know that their rustic shape and tone can be the backdrop for countless creative design projects. These handy tools are appropriate for so much more than the clothesline.
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Pretty as a picture
This clothespin-embellished frame is unusual and stylish. The simple lines of the clipped and painted clothespins give graphic elegance to the piece. We chose a warm salmon tone for paint that lends a brick-like appearance to the pattern they create. Make one to include in a medley of frames on your mantel, or make frames in different sizes to create a visually unified vignette. Learn how to make one here.
Know your place
An attractive place setting conveys to your guests that you care enough to make their dining experience extra-special. This DIY transforms a common wooden clothespin into a symbol of welcome that’s charming and a bit glam at the same time. We used glitter-coated letters to spell out the names on our painted pins, but added a touch of sweetness by including a floral accent. Learn to make a set of these for your next dinner party here.
DIY Everywhere
String me along
Garlands are not just for Christmas anymore. This clothespin garland DIY will add a festive touch to your wall, your door or your mantel, guaranteed. Round, one-piece clothespins bring retro style to the garland, while the painted wooden stars and fine rope twine give the garland an inviting rusticity. Wherever you choose to hang this happy piece, it will bring warmth to your space. You can find the tutorial here.
Coasting along
Use humble wooden clothespins to create a set of one-of-a-kind coasters. A coaster offers a crafter, no matter what their level of experience, the opportunity to make something that’s both functional and decorative. What makes these coasters special is that in making them, you'll take them apart and reconstitute them as modern, sophisticated decorative accents coated with bold color-block paint patterns. Watch how to make a set here.
Order out of chaos
Who couldn’t use just a bit more help when it comes to taming abundant photos, important documents, business cards, tickets and the like? This memo wreath employs clothespins to corral your ephemera and serves as unique wall art while doing it. You can customize the look of this DIY in countless ways, depending on the paint colors you choose, so it can harmonize with your décor easily. Learn how to fashion this fun organizational tool here.
Right this way
Brighten up your walls with this energetic arrow wall art piece. It's ingeniously made with painted standard-sized clothespins, a jumbo clothespin and a wooden dowel. Chalk paint customizes the piece, so you can make it kid-friendly by using bright primary colors, or sophisticated and adult with neutrals. The arrow art will make a statement on your wall all by itself, or it can shine beautifully if incorporated into a gallery wall. Learn to make one here.
Storage space times two
This distinctive DIY is a mini-table shelf whose jumbo clothespin legs add just the right amount of quirkiness to the piece. It’s an accessory in itself, but you can top it with decorative objects and arrange books under it, or use it for organizing bathroom clutter, jewelry, or anything that needs creative corralling. Its easy size means you can place it on a kitchen counter, bedroom dresser, coffee table, or a deep window sill. Watch the tutorial here to get started on making one.
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