Cousin Blog

Even your office desk deserves a little bling :-)

July 17, 2012

Click on pictures to enlarge.

Inspired by a cute paperclip… yes a paper clip, I thought I’d give my office supplies a refresh. Using E-6000®, pliers, a bead reamer, thumb tacks, paper clips and some super cute charms my office supplies took on a new life! They’re certainly a little different but I love how fun they are. I’m hoping the next time I turn in paperwork that my cute little clips will bring a smile to whoever is on the receiving end!

For the thumb tacks I simply took the loops off of the charms (using pliers) and filed any rough edges (using the side of my bead reamer). Then I applied a little glue to the head of the tack and glued it to the back side of a charm. Some of the charms I used didn’t even have loops, so I just simply glued those on with no extra work. I let them dry for a few hours and then put them to use!

For the paper clips I followed the same steps of removing the loops and filing the rough edges. I pooled a little glue on a piece of paper and dipped the end of a paper clip into the glue. Then I glued it to the back side of a charm and kept the charm face down to dry.

Of course it’s fun to share this little bit of office whimsy, so using some colored paper I made little gift-able tags for my co-workers.

I’ve decide that I want to delve a little more into creating some fun & crafty office supplies, so this is the first of a few blogs I’d like to do on this topic. The next will involve beads so check back soon! Maybe you’ll be inspired by my paperclip ;)

~Jennifer

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Comments 20

Melanie 18 Jul
Very cool ideas! I never thought about dressing up push pins or paper clips!!
Eugenie 18 Jul
This a great way to make the office a more cheerful place to be. Those thumb tacks and paper clips brought a smile to my face.
Sue Pompetti 18 Jul
What a great way to brighten what are otherwise, everyday, menial tasks!
Kimberly Kreiser 18 Jul
Jennifer,

this project is simple ge also.Plus these gifts look like they could be expencieve..
mo 18 Jul
Wonderful! Another great idea... I will be using this for gifting through the hoildays using holiday themed buttons!! Thanks again!
Kimberly B 18 Jul
So cute! Love this idea.
Sylvia Morse 18 Jul
Really great ideas here Jennifer!! I am so inspired that I have to hurry up & get off so I can do this right now!! :)
Ann Beth Wright 18 Jul
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Cousin Corporation of America. Who else would make paper clips a fashion accessory must-have! Can't wait to make this.
Valarie 18 Jul
This is a very cute idea. I would love to do this. I love doing crafts and I always like to see other's ideas to keep up with the times and such and see what others are doing. I also make jewelry I enjoy doing this very much. I was thinking those thumb tacks would look cute being used on one of those hand made padded cork boards with the ribbon and such. They turn out really nice for office use but these little paper clips and tacks would look super cute on one. I have done crafts off and on now for 14 years now and I still enjoy it. I also draw occasionally still working on trying to perfect drawing though I am good but not good enough. But this idea makes me want to do this too. Very pretty idea.
Nikeyta Walker 18 Jul
I love this idea! I just got off work and i was looking a a paper clip that i had on some hold items and wondering what someone could do with them besides just the plain clip... I am thinking about coming up with a bracelet or necklace that didnt look so "paper clippy" I am going to see what I can do but for now this idea takes the cake and gives me an idea for my necklace! Thanks CCA!
Kari Judd 18 Jul
I am having lots of fun making jewelry from Cousin Corp Beads!!
May P 18 Jul
Cute idea! And much more personal than buying fancy office supplies premade.
Valarie 18 Jul
I forgot to mention I love your blogs you guys always have the coolest ideas. I always look forward to your posts on Facebook. I also like that your beads for your sweepstakes are so beautiful it makes me want to go out and buy them. I try to enter your sweepstakes regularly but right now I am away for much of the day and into the evening between going to church on Sundays and Wednesdays and delivering phone books all through the week and weekend it really keeps me busy so I am not online much of the time anymore. I am always looking forward to seeing what you guys come up with when it comes to ideas. I am always in search of new ideas in jewelry making and crafts. I have been making jewelry now for over 4 years and I have been doing crafts for over 14 years. A friend that I have been friends with now for over 30 years got me into crafts. years later jewelry making popped into my mind to try it and see if I like it I found I really enjoy making jewelry so I have been making it ever since. I buy your products whenever I can and I enjoy using them. I shared a bracelet on your Facebook site called the 3 strand crazy bracelet using a square puffed glass bead set that also had copper floral oval beads, copper colored small glass beads, and another type of bead then I used a few sterling bead spacers for some natural stone I had left over from making a wire linked 3 piece jewelry set and a strand of some bicone glass beads by Cousin I like it I think it turned out great I even used a clasp I had had for a while was thinking about what I could do with it and thought it would be perfect so I used my 3 strand puffed round copper filigree clasp it's fancy and it fits the bracelet just right. Now if only I can buy some sterling silver 26 gauge wire from either Walmart or Michael's something neither one sells. I could really use that right now non tarnish wire is what I would rather use that is sterling silver. I don't use plated. I was disappointed when I went to Michael's recently and most of the sterling silver was replaced by plated silver pieces and most of the styles of sterling I buy was replaced with plated same style of findings and such just done in plating rather than sterling. So I had to go without my S clasps and I had to settle for two sterling toggles in two different styles but one had the stringing holes opened to where you can just place a jump ring so I am glad I decided to get the closed jump rings that were sterling I love using those when I make bracelets using the S clasp. All in all I love your beads they are pretty and are quality made. I generally use the natural beads and glass beads though. The different styles you have in strands are very pretty I really like them. You guys just keep coming out with new stuff all the time. I really like your beading supplies I have a different strand of glass bicones in reds and light pink colors along with a kind of clear bicone glass bead they are nearly as good as crystals I can't wait to use it I want to make a charm bracelet using those and some beautiful swarovski crystal hearts I got once. I can't wait to see how this turns out.
Maria Testa Lanni 18 Jul
What a great project this is, love it!!!
Terry 18 Jul
Very cute idea. Simple to make.
jamie 18 Jul
Cute for personal use
stacy 19 Jul
that is a really cool idea!!
Krisa 19 Jul
This is a neat idea. Just might give it a try. I am working on a project now using Cousin items. Thanks for all you bring.
Melissa 19 Jul
I love Cousin's Products! You can do so many unique things with them! Inspiration can be found just by looking through their catalog.
Youngsville 22 Jul
These are super cute! This would be a great gift for teachers too!!!

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