Sunday, December 3, 2017

Fast DIY Party Favors

I scored a major victory -- I got Rick to do arts and crafts! The task? Making the easiest DIY party favor/chip clip/ornament ever!


I got the idea at Southern Exposure. They used these cute decorated clothes pins to attach our name tags to the tree in the lobby.


But they also work as an ornament...


...can be used to attach photos to a memory tree...


...or as a chip clip!


I couldn't find the big clips quickly but managed to score cute, pre-decorated clothespins on clearance for $1.99/12 at Michael's (full price: $3.99/12). (I may go back and get more to have in stock for next year!)

We did 16 of these in a little over a half hour, not counting drying time. I had everything in my holiday stash but supplies would have minimal cost if you were starting from scratch.


Instructions and Supplies

  • Clothespins or clothespin-style clips
  • Paint (if your clips aren't pre-decorated like mine were)
  • Glue (I used heavy gel medium; a glue gun would be fine; Elizabeth also mentioned E-6000)
  • Holiday bling (If you were doing this at another season, any old bling would do -- flowers, etc.
  • Wine corks, cut in half (if you don't drink wine much, you can usually buy packaged corks at the craft store.
  • Knife, scissors, wire cutters and glue applicator stick as needed.

1) If clips aren't painted, spray paint in desired color


2) Using gel medium or glue gun, attach half-cork, leaving a bit of room at the top of the pin.


3) Attach Holiday bling (I used snowflakes) at the top of the clothespin.


4) Add any additional bling or trim (I used greens and berries) on the cork. (Gel medium and most white glues dry clear; glue gun might be more visible to blob on appropriately!)


Just let it dry and you are good to go! Fun for takeaways at a party or to close up a bag of holiday treats!


Your guests might like them so much they add them to their holiday wardrobe!

33 comments:

Valerie-Jael said...

What a fun and fabulous idea, thanks for sharing! Have a great, new week, hugs, Valerie

Pam said...

Oh....those are so cute. I might have to make some of those next yr. Cool idea.

Barbara said...

Dear Jeanie, I’m always looking for new ways to display Christmas cards, and you might just have given me an idea.

I smiled at your comment about mince pies. I eat them all the time, and yet I’ve never tasted pumpkin pie. Maybe we should swap! :-)

eileeninmd said...

Hello, they are cute ornaments. I need to drink more wine, just for the wine corks. Thanks for sharing, this cute crafty idea. Happy Sunday, enjoy your day!

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Such a cute idea! I love clip on ornaments because I can decorate all the way out on the ends of the branches!!

Barb said...

I can just picture Rick doing this craft. It makes me smile!

Mae Travels said...

Corks for cork poppers -- perfect!

best... mae at maefood.blogspot.com

My name is Erika. said...

Nice little clips. I take it the cork poppers are having another party soon? Thanks for sharing- I think it's a fun idea. happy new week. Hugs-erika

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

These are adorable. It almost makes me wish I drank wine. They are simply fun. If you don't have gel medium or hot glue, I use E-6000, my go to glue for that type project.

Joanne Huffman said...

Fun project!

Lynne said...

Cork Poppers . . . for the Cork Poppers . . . Perfect . . .
Cute idea Jeanie . . .
Happy December Days . . ,

shoreacres said...

This is easy enough that I could do it. Of course, I'd have to get some glue, and some bling, and some corks, and some clothespins -- but still, I could do it! Great idea.

Tristan Robin said...

fun idea - they would also be fun drink glass clips so you can easily find your own glass at a party!

Rita C at Panoply said...

Way cute, Jeanie! Those would be great on a bag of party mix as a guest takeaway. I can think of many uses. Thanks for sharing.

Pom Pom said...

Hi Jeanie! Oh, they are cute and clever!

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

What a clever idea! We were just in a wine shop and saw all kinds of cute things! I get so many ideas but how smart of you to make these...you and hubby both! We don't save many cork any more but we need to start a collection! Hugs!

Preppy Empty Nester said...

These are so cute and clever, Jeanie. I just love them. Have a great week. Looks like you will be drinking a lot of vino!!

Mary Rose's said...

Super cute!
Thanks for the detailed how-to, too!

Pam Richardson said...

What a fun and cute craft that even Rick enjoyed, I guess!!??? This is a great tutorial, Jeanie and would be great as stocking stuffers!

Sandra Cox said...

How cute! Thanks for the directions.
I got my little stockings for the silverware:)

La Table De Nana said...

Will start saving our corks again..I've made place cards through the years..and gift tags..but never anything w/ a clip! Thanks!!

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

This is the fun part: just being with friends, making memories.

Bonnie said...

Very cute party favors! Nice to find something fast, too.

Red Rose Alley said...

Oh, what a clever idea, Jeanie. I'm always looking for potato chip clips around the house. You and Rick did a great job making these. And what a fun gift for Christmas. : )

~Sheri

Marilyn Miller said...

What a fun and simple idea. I love them.

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

I always save wine corks and have a nice supply so I love this craft, Jeannie! I'm pinning it! Thanks!

Bella said...

Very cute. Clothes pins are the bomb. They can be used for so many types of decorations. Love the cork idea.

Tracy said...

VERY FUN! I like this idea a lot! And GREAT tutorial!! (Funny how we're both doing tutorials this week! ;) But how DID you get Rick to help??! I can't get TJ to do arts & crafts like this, even though he is VERY good at fine art & artsy things... Need to be saving more corks... ;) Happy Days ((HUGS))

Lisa from Lisa's Yarns said...

These are so fun! I am impressed that you got Rick to join in on the project. Although it was obviously a quick project for you guys since it didn't even take an hour! That is such a fun, easy, seasonal favor!

Sketchbook Wandering said...

Cute and a nice way to recycle too!

Danielle L Zecher said...

This seems like a craft project I might actually be able to handle! I need to remember this for next year. I think they may find their way into the gift bags we take to our vet's offices. Thanks for sharing.

Decor To Adore said...

What a cute and clever craft Jeanie! I also loved seeing the parade shots and the juniper wreath post. I am getting ready to sign off this next week until the new year to spend time with the family and truly revel in the holiday season. So I would like to wish you a wonderful merry and bright season dear friend.

Kitty said...

Judging from the dates on the comments I am a little late reading this but your idea is darling all the same. I have been hanging Christmas cards using little metal clips but I think I mad do these for next year. Thanks so much for the idea.

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