Friday, August 15, 2014

Clothespin Napkin Holder



I use clothespins from the dollar store to hold some of my craft projects together while drying. I got the idea while watching a video on paper crafting. When I was showing my craft class how to make a newspaper bowl and lid, one of the ladies mentioned she hadn't seen a  wooden clothespin in over forty years.  The lively conversation that resulted got me to thinking about clothespin crafts.   I remember making  a clothespin napkin holder years ago with my mother-in-law.  She picked up the idea from a trip to the islands where the children are taught at an early age how to make the napkin holders.  Since I had lots of clothespins in my stash - they come 36 to a pack at the dollar store, I decided to see if I remembered how to put one together.

Here's what I came up with:

Separate the wire hinges from the wooden pegs by twisting sideways.




Glue together the flat sides of two pegs using tacky or wood glue.





Continue gluing the flat sides together until you have 30-32 sets of two pegs.



Glue the sets together into two semi-circles of 2-peg sets. 
Use a ruler to make sure the base of the semicircle is flat.




To make the napkin holder base, glue five pegs together, flat side down, side by side.



 
Glue nine pegs together and attach to the first set of five as pictured.

 
Glue nine more to the opposite side as pictured.  Once dry, glue the semi-circles onto the flat panel base.

 


The wood definitely needs to be sanded for a smooth finish.  The final piece can be left natural, painted or stained.  Just remember, with usage, how the old clothespins turned gray so a sealer is needed.





 
 
 



 
Do you remember any clothespin crafts you especially like? 

By the way, I have lots of wire hinges left over that need to be made into something  .  .  .  .  so stay tuned! 





Take a little time to enjoy

and

Happy Crafting!





31 comments:

  1. This looks nice... and leads to ideas of using the same pattern for other uses.... like even to frame the corners of a window and paint it. Hmmm.. Thank you for sharing.

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  2. Gail that's really pretty. Thanks for linking up to the Fall Dollar Store Craft Contest.

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  3. Super cute idea! I made a trivet with popsicle sticks and beads as a kid but that's as close as I've come! Your napkin holder would also be cute painted in white- very cottagy!

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  4. so cool! Like a peacock tail or those wooden fans. I have to have one of these!!

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  5. Isn't that clever!

    Big Texas Hugs,
    Susan and Bentley

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  6. That is so cute and creative!

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  7. very pretty love that you created it
    come see us at http://shopannies.blogspot.com

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  8. This is sooo super cute! And very creative!!

    Pinning it!
    Thanks for sharing!

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  9. It never ceases to amaze me when people use everyday things and turn them into the extraordinary, that's not only beautiful but so clever!

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  10. Wow, so elegant and so beautiful. I would never expect clothespin can do that:)

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  11. I love it Gail! It looks like a peacock! I can't believe you didn't paint it purple. I only remember popsicle stick crafts. I was wondering what you would do with all of those metal clips and you know I'm staying tuned to find out! I was also just thinking about your craft group and wondering how it was going.

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  12. Great features, Christine! thanks for hosting. ,Christine

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  13. This is cool!!! I guess if you get tired of it as a napkin holder, you can paint it and add a turkey or peacock body to it! This would be a really fun craft project for kids to make turkeys for the Thanksgiving table!

    I still use wooden clothespins on a daily basis, but not for laundry. I use them to clip chip bags and such. They really come in handy and are super inexpensive. I can remember using the kind with a "head" on them back in the day!

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    Replies
    1. What a great tip Alycia! Such talent it blogland, it kills me!
      Fabby

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  14. I love bringing back the old crafts we did as kids. This is so cute, Gail. I love it. Thank you for sharing at Share It One More Time. Cathy

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  15. I'm sure I remember making things from clothes pegs as a kid but for the life of me I can't remember what! This looks lovely and I am intrigued to see what you make with the hinges!

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  16. OMG, this is gorgeous! How clever and without painting it. Amazing my friend, you are very talented!
    I'm copying this. Thanks so much for sharing.
    FABBY

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  17. Finally, a craft I have all the supplies on hand for! I am so making this today. Too cute.

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  18. That looks so romantic, like those beautiful fans women used to use many many years ago....Great job Gail!

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  19. This reminds me of folk art! This is so very clever! Thanks for bringing back an oldie but goodie wooden clothespin craft. I used to love to hang clothes out to dry on a clothesline but since we moved "into town" our subdivision does not allow that... items dried outside using clothespins have such a lovely smell.

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  20. So clever! I used to have lots of wooden clothespins that had separated; this would be a great way to reclaim them. Think I'll paint mine...

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  21. This is really a fantastic idea! Thanks so much for coming by the #HomeMatters Link Party and linking up, Gail! We hope you come back this Wednesday, too!

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  22. We love wooden clothes pin crafts and this ranks up there as one of the most creative! Thanks for sharing with us at Your Designs This Time!

    Erin & Emily

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  23. Dear Gail,

    Thank you for sharing this amazing project at Friendship Friday at Create With Joy!
    I really love your inspiring blog!
    I'm SO happy to share that you are our Featured Friend of the Week (#135)!
    Thank you for being a part of our wonderful creative community!

    Create With Joy
    http://create-with-joy.com

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  24. So creative! Thank you for sharing this post at City of Creative Dream's City of Links last Friday! I appreciate you taking the time to party with me. Hope to see you again this week :)

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  25. Awesome! Many years ago when I was in grade school, we glued these to tin cans as pencil holders.

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  26. Yeah I really enjoyed making this iIam going to be using it as a mail holder for bills paid but unsure of the color the other one is painted red for owed

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  27. Thank you very much for all of the amazing ideas

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  28. I would really love to know how you made a newspaper holder? And what you end up doing with the springs that came off the clothes pins. Thank you. I will be making one of these.

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