Paper Clip Charms (first posted 8/24/06)

If you can't tell what's in the photo, you're looking at little paperclips/bookmarks in custom shapes. I l-o-v-e making these. It's like making tiny wire sculptures. My mom introduced this activity to me (I think she saw it in Martha) and the idea really sparked my imagination. Oh the possibilities!

I starting making sets of clips — 6 variations in a cute little box — to give as gifts. On the simplest shapes I would add a few tiny glass beads for color interest and variation.

Note: this is not a super kid activity. It actually requires patience because the wire can be tricky to shape. Better for the preteen/teen set and interesting for adults as well. It's lovely to see one of these peeking up from the pages of a pretty book.

Find instructions here.