How to Make a Clothespin Friend

This might just be your new best friend. You can hold papers this way, or anything else that allows you to see it every day!

1. Get a slotted round wooden clothespin.
2. Get regular paint. Acrylic is best, but watercolor will do.
3. Using a thin brush, paint around the base of the ball on top, but not ON the ball. This will be your collar.
4. Paint the rest of the top half of the clothespin, but not on the ball, either the same color as your collar or another color, it doesn't matter. Leave 1 centimeter above where the wood splits. Leaving this gap is very important. Now you have a shirt.
5. Choose either pants, capris, or shorts for the bottom half of your clothespin. Decide on a length that suits you, but leave room for shoes if you intend to make them.
6. Paint your pants. Use a pen (only use pen for this specific step) to make a zipper or button, if you want one.
7. Use a pen or very thin paint brush to carefully paint face and hair. Always do this step last.
8. Touch up any smudged spots, and let dry.

• Make lines for lengths on your clothespin. Avoid using pen because that bleeds sometimes, and you might want to change length. Pencil is always best with wood.
• Use the acrylic paint if possible. Water color is very thin, so acrylic molds onto the wood better.
• Try and only use smooth clothespins. They give you a cleaner surface to work with.
• Get a plastic cup, and put your clothespin over one side. It helps when you are painting, when you have both hands free.