Flower clips are very easy to make! However, done right they can be a little more time-consuming than they look (maybe only for ME because I'm an extreme perfectionist). I've made them to sell in the past, but the price is never equal to the time I put into them.
So I make them for my daughters, as gifts for my nieces, as baby gifts for friends; and of course my daughters' friends [and moms] anticipate them at their birthday parties!
Here is how I make my flower clips!...
What you will need:
Alligator Clips (I like the 2" single prong clips)
Silk Flowers (Where ever you can find them. Various craft stores, Walmart, or even the dollar store!)
3/8" Ribbon (Craft/Fabric stores or Walmart. I like the grossgrain ribbon best.)
Fray Check (Found in the "Sewing Notions" section)
Glue Gun and Hot-Glue sticks
Craft/Fabric Scissors
Jewels, Buttons, Etc. (Craft stores)
What you will DO:
1- Cut 4" of ribbon, and gently wet each end with Fray Check. Set aside to dry.
2- Pull flower off plastic stem, then pull off all plastic parts (so you are left with just the pedals).
*Discard all the plastic parts; unless you like the middle, in which case you would just snip off the remaining stem and set aside to glue back onto the top.
*Steps 1 & 2 are significant in keeping the flower- (esp. a gerber daisy)- flat for glueing to the clip.
3- Starting at the bottom layer, glue each layer of flower pedals back together.
4- Glue on a jewel and/or button on the top/center of flower (or use original center if you prefer). Set finished flower aside.
5- (Have clip ready!) Take the 4" ribbon and apply hot-glue to half. Quickly put glue gun down and grab the clip, pinching it open. slide the ribbon onto the under-side of the top of clip and press to adhere.
6- Finish glueing on top, fold and press the ribbon down quickly. Then turn clip over and glue a little hot-glue to back, pressing ribbon over that.
7- Turn flower over and glue clip (ribbon-covered side) to back/bottom of flower. YOU'RE DONE! Enjoy your cute flower clip!
MY EXTRA TIPS and SECRETS...
*Spray Scotch Guard onto finished flower clip for extra protection against dirt and dinge.
*Add some "grip" to the clip by hot-glueing some cupboard liner to the under-side (over the ribbon).
*Do not store flower clips in a drawer! Clip them to a long piece of ribbon that you hang from the wall. This will #1, keep them from getting frumpy and #2, organize them nicely for easy finding!
*To clean, wipe with damp cloth. Or you can carefully rinse in slightly soapy water and lay flat to dry.
**Coming soon... My own Creative Homemaker Etsy shop!! It will have hair-clip organizers, as well as DIY kits for flower clips. Stay tuned, and I will post about it as soon as I get it going!!**
No comments:
Post a Comment