How to Make a Clothespin Wreath

Since I am moving classrooms this year, I have been looking for some cheap and easy ways to update my classroom decor.  This simple craft was just what I was looking for!

To make your own clothespin wreath you will need:

• Clothespins (I used 42 for a 8.75 inch wreath form)
• Scrapbook Paper and Modge Podge, glitter or paint
• Cardboard or sturdy paperboard
• Colored paper to cover the cardboard (optional)
• Circular objects for tracing

Step 1: Trace a circle onto your cardboard (pots and pans work great for making neat circles).  This will be the form for your wreath. Note: your finished wreath will be about 1-2" in diameter larger than your cardboard circle due to the length of the clothespins.

Step 2: Cut out the inside of your circle.  You want to have a ring about 2 inches thick when you finish.  As you can see from my picture this step dose not need to be super neat because it will be covered by the clothespins!

Step 3: Cover your ring with paper (optional).  Small amounts of the cardboard ring will show between the clothespins. If you wish, you can use colored paper to cover the ring so that  you do not see the cardboard showing through.

Step 4: Decorate the Clothespins.  There are lots of ways you can decorate the clothespins for your wreath.  I chose to use scrapbook paper and Modge Podge.  However, you can also use paint, or glitter to decorate you clothes pins.  To cover your clothespins with scrapbook paper first, trace the clothespin on the scrapbook paper and cutout a correclty sized strip of paper.  Then, paint a layer of Modge Podge on top of the clothespin.  Place the strip of scrapbook paper on top of the Modge Podge then paint an additional layer of Modge Podge on top of the scrapbook paper. 

Step 5: Add your clothespins to your wreath.  After your decorated clothespins have dried, arrange the clothespins on the wreath for the the opening of the clips towards the center of the wreath.

Step 6: Add ribbon for hanging (optional). If you wish, tie a piece of ribbon to your wreath to use when hanging.