Inspiration for do-it-yourself projects is born from using what you have to create what you need or want. At least that is how DIY shell clothespins came about at my house, and I love how they turned out.
Everyday I think of another way to use them, and one of my readers commented she wanted to make some to give as a gift to a family member. So, here is how to make the super cute shell clothespins.
MATERIALS NEEDED
- Cothespins - wooden spring clamp style
- Small seashells - collect from the seashore or buy at a craft store
- Gorilla Glue - buy from hardware stores
- Wood toothpicks - to spread the glue on the clothespin and on the shell
- Paper to protect work surface - Gorilla glue is hard to remove.
DIRECTIONS
Apply a VERY small dab of Gorilla Glue to whichever end of the clothespin you want the shell. A little glue goes a long way. I placed my shells on the short end of the clothespins so the shell overlaps the letters of a French coastal banner, La Mer.
Use a toothpick to spread the small dab of glue very thinly on the surface of the clothespin and on the RIM of the seashell that touches the clothespin.
Take care not to spread the glue over the side of the clothespin. The glue should just make the wood surface wet looking, nothing more. Use a toothpick to pick up excess glue, and throw it away. You may need to use more than one toothpick to remove excess glue.
Gorilla Glue seems to be the best option for joining a shell and wood. Mod Podge is not strong enough. Super glue is strong enough, but I always get it on other things... like my fingers. Then I have to use acetone to remove it. I am afraid I will glue my fingers together one day, so I avoid Super glue.
TIP: Be careful not to get the Gorilla Glue on the visible side of the seashell like the one shown. When the glue dries, it turns yellow.
Use another clothespin as a clamp to hold the seashell tightly in place until the glue dries.
All finished! This is one of the fastest and easiest DIY projects.
The most time consuming part is collecting the shells... but what fun it is to walk along the beach and to gather the small shells that most people overlook. Before you know it, your hands are overflowing with little shells.
Make some white shells and some grey shells to add interest to the group of shell clothespins... which is what nature does along the beach.
NOW, have fun using the shell clothespins...
holding up a French coastal banner
collected in a shell cup
as a place card holder in a coastal place setting
If you missed earlier posts for creating summer fun with the DIY shell clothespins and other sea-inspired decor, you may like the following.
DIY French Coastal Banner, with free printable for a La Mer banner
Summer Coastal Country Tablesetting, with free printable for seashell placecards
Do you have any suggestions for other ways to use the DIY shell clothespins?
