Hand Decorated Recycled Stapler
This stapler had been lying around our garage for many years. We used to use it at our craft shop back in the 90s. The stapler had started to rust a little on the inside, but the outside was in good condition. While painting another item, I had an idea and decided to get the old stapler and just have fun decorating it.
Long ago, I had a sharp blue inked pen that I loved to use when drawing on thick white scrap paper. The contrast of the sharp blue on white was very pretty, and one time I really liked the pattern I drew, so I saved it. When I saw the smooth surface of the old stapler, I thought I’d try painting that same pattern on the stapler using the same color scheme. I painted the stapler body with Gesso to better adhere the white craft paint I’d use as the background. Once the Gesso dried, I painted the stapler with bright white craft paint. Once the paint was dry, I used a pencil to lightly trace the flowers and scrolls free hand. I then used a bright blue fabric paint to draw the flowers and scrolls. The small bottle of fabric paint made it easy to draw the designs and fill in the flowers. You may have also seen a similar pattern on another project in this blog, in which I used a bright blue fabric marker to draw a flower design on the collar of a white blouse.
Although the old stapler doesn’t function as a stapler, it works wonderfully as a paperweight. It was great to recycle the old stapler into an art piece that I truly enjoy. Even though I tried this on a stapler, there are so many other items that you may have fun recycling into your very own desk art.
Make Your Own Earrings
Earrings are one the easiest craft projects to make. I have always had a lot of fun making my own earnings, either from beads I already have on hand or from broken pieces I find at garage sales and thrift stores. Many years ago for my wedding, I wanted a simple pair of pearl earrings fashioned in a loop and preferably with very little sparkle, but could not find anything I really loved. After searching for so long, I decided to buy two different pair of earrings and use the pearls and pieces from the two to make my own.
The neckline on my wedding dress was open with a scalloped edge that was decorated with small pearls and very few tiny sequins all the way around to my back. Because the neckline was so decorated, I was not going to wear any necklace and it was important that the earrings I wear have some length, but not be too bulky or sparkly. I wanted the long loops (which reminded me of the scalloped edge) to be made of small pearls matching (as close as possible) the size of the pearls on the scalloped edges of my dress. I really couldn’t find anything that even came close to what I imagined. Finally, I found what I was looking for in two pairs of earrings and knew I would to try and make my dream earrings. I was very satisfied with the results, and even received a few compliments.
Just because a necklace or bracelet is broken or outlived its luster, it doesn’t mean you can’t create your very own creation. So look at what you have on hand and let your imagination go wild, you will be surprised at what you can create. Have Fun!