Handmade Tree Decorations Using Clothes Pins

Making ornaments with children can be fun and can create those singular memories that the family will treasure. Start now, before the busy holiday season gets underway, and have dozens of fresh baubles ready to hang.

An easy project uses wooden clothes pins. The pins can be the lightweight kind sold in discount and dollar stores. They should be wooden.

Start by painting them. They can be all the same color or all different colors. They can be the traditional red and green, or a color that coordinates with the tree's overall theme. A craft paint is non-toxic and inexpensive. A small art brush works best for getting in to the tight spaces. Allow the painted pins to completely dry before starting the decoration.

Hold the clothes pin as if you were going to press it open. Notice that the long side of the pin will be what's seen on the tree. That is your clue for mounting the decoration. It should face the long side.

What decorations can be used? Pretty much anything. Here are some ideas to get you started.

Every household has a collection of pre-made bows that seem to multiple in storage. These ribbons are light and colorful. They can be attached to the pin with their own adhesive backing or fresh double-sided tape.

If the children are older, look through the unused toys and pick out smaller ones to mount on the clothes pins. Try using a strong glue (Ailene's Tacky or Gorilla Glue) or wrap them with thin wire to hold them in place. Small stuffed animals can also be wired to the pins.

The writer enjoys working with silk ribbon to make flowers. A corsage-type arrangement of silk flowers would be a sweet, old-fashioned touch on the tree. Helen Gibb has written four books with clear instructions and color pictures about creating ribbon flowers. Try your local library, or check with www.bookfinder.com to locate a copy. Here are the titles and ISBN numbers.

The Secrets of Fashioning Ribbon Flowers: Heirlooms for the Next Generation, ISBN 0873415620
Elegant Ribbonwork: 24 Heirloom Projects for Special Occasions, ISBN 0896893103
Heirloom Ribbonwork, ISBN 087341991X
Ribbonwork The Complete Guide: Technique Guide for Making Ribbon Flowers and Trimmings, ISBN 0873497503

For crafty children, let them create "pictures" to glue on the pins. Start with cut-outs from old cards or gift wrap. Glue the picture to a thicker backing such as an old file folder. You can put an image on one side or both sides. Or, the children might want to create their own artwork. There should be a flat surface for gluing to the pin. Draw an oval with a rectangular bottom that can be folded as a tab and glued to secure the decoration. Plan the size of the oval to match the image it will hold.

These handmade ornaments can adorn your tree or be given as gifts to family, friends, teachers, and neighbors.