Martha Stewart Living, April 2008
Clothespins can be used to organize and hang papers, photos, and cards when they're turned into refrigerator magnets. To make them, remove the springs from wooden clothespins, and lightly sand wood with sandpaper. Coat with acrylic paint; let dry. Reattach springs, and affix a small magnet to 1 side of each pin with multipurpose cement.
Sources
Mighty round magnets; $12.99 for 16; Container Store; containerstore.com.
I have to agree with Nancy....just paint around the spring!
Hi Jacky B--
I always have to use a tool like a screwdriver to pry the arm of the spring up and force the wood back under it.
I wouldn't take the spring off; just paint around it. I know I could never put it back together! I love the idea of labeling them. (I have found that labeling is the ONLY way things have a chance of getting put back in the right place.)
ok - i can get the spring off - how do you get it back on?
These ARE cute! You could stamp the days of the week on them, or people's initials, or messages like PAID, DUE, TO DO, DONE--the mind boggles! I too shall rush out and get the supplies! (I will most definately paint mine, though. Think of all of the great colours you could have!)
SO cute! You could add a little stamped or punched flower to them for interest. :0)
mel
http://www.melstampz.blogspot.com/
You can also add tiny details to the clips. I painted flowwers and squiggly lines on mine. I gave them as gifts for my sister's birthday as well as a couple of friends. I am helping to plan my friends wedding and am thinking this might be a good idea for shower favors!
I also use the plain pinch clothespins - unpainted to use as closers for chip bags, candy bags,french fry bags,etc. It is easy cheap and they don't break . For this project I would use the plastic colored pins. No painting,sanding, and are light weight.
This sounds like an awesome project for Mother's day for my daughter's students and my grandchildren. Can't wait to get to the store for pins and magnets.