Clippie Keeper Cup

Today, I drove into Lansing so I could get a few things. Namely, I had gone through almost all of my 100 alligator clips I had picked up just last week. I have a problem- the first step is admitting it. When I think about it, though, it is pretty easy to go through them. When I make clippies, I almost always do 4 pairs that are in similar colors or styles, so they 'match', and I'm doing between 2 & 4 sets of 4 pairs each day, so... you do the math.

I wanted to buy more ribbon today. However, the ribbon was not on sale at Jo-Ann's, Hobby Lobby, or Michaels. Disappointing! I did grab a few of the $1 spools at Michaels, and found 6 or 7 spools on clearance for $.50 each at JoAnn's.

While I was at Michaels, I found little round, tall containers with lids- my first thought was a Clippie container! I picked up just 2 to start, but LOVE what I came up with.

Lately, my hair stuff has ranged towards just small clippies- fully lined alligator clips with minimal, and small decorations on them, or plain if the ribbon was already decorated. Something more for every day use than big old bows and what not.

My initial thought for the cup was that it would store a ton of clippies (and it does- I was able to store 50 individual small clippies in 1 cup, each decorated). My next thought was adding decoration to it, and making it look like a ribbon wrapped present. That, of course, led me to thinking- the ribbon can be used as storage, the same as a bow hanger!

So, that's what I did tonight. I took 2 lengths of ribbon, glued & folded the ends over to make a nice clean edge, then glued them to the cup- first along the bottom of the cup, then to the inside, so that the ribbon running up the side is not glued to the cup- clippies can be clipped onto them.

Totals for this project-

Cup- $1
Ribbon- $.25 (give or take)
Glue- Like what, $.10?

All in all, it was cheap to make. I have my first one up for sale in my Etsy shop, along with some of my clips.

Hair Clips & A Giveaway

As many of you know, I'm a frugal crafter. If I can buy it on sale, discount, or with a coupon, I love it. If it's free, I love it even more. So, what better way to feed my craft bug than with a FREE giveaway on the original Frugal blogger's website- Dollar Store Crafts?

Heather (great name!) over at DSC is giving away an X-Acto Silhouette Machine! Head on over to her site to sign up to win a $300 prize pack!

Next up- more hair clips. I kind of wish my girls were young enough for these, but my almost 9 year old assures me that wearing hair clips, bows, and flowers to school is SO EMBARRASSING, MOM! -sigh- In the mean time, I continue to make them.

Why? Well, first and foremost, they're quick, easy, fun craft projects I can do in 20 minutes without having to plan out a project, and right now, my time is sparse with photo editing, photo taking, and summer. Next up, they can be toted along to photo shoots and used if the client wants to use them. Third, I have nieces who are still young enough to love them, so anything that I don't sell, I give away.

Of course, to feed the addiction of making them, I do hope to sell some along the way. Anyway, lately I've been making the little ribbon lined clippies- great for every day use, and no where near as large & extravagant looking as huge bows and flowers. They're also great for younger kids who don't have much hair.

I've been listing my clippies at $2 for a matching pair, $1.50 for individual ones, and 3 pairs for $5. Below are some of my more recent ones. They are listed for sale on my Facebook page for My Frugal Family!