Guest Blogger - Debra From She Is My Sister!

Hey everyone! My name is Debra and I run a little blog called She Is My Sister. This is my first time guest blogging, and I don't really know how to start! First and foremost I would like to thank Sharon and Rachael for having me over; I am really excited to be here, so I guess I will just jump right in!

Today I am going to show you a couple of different ways to use old, clip-on style earrings. My sister gave me a few pairs that she had found a while back and right away I thought that they would make great photo clips.

Here is what you will need:

• Clip-on style earrings
• Picture frame without the glass (Check the "as is" shelf at Michaels')
  
• Hot glue gun
• Scrapbook paper
• Ruler
• Pen
• Scissors
• Wire cutter
• Jewelry wire or paper clip
• Sewing pins
  

Let's get started!

First, I put a little dot of hot glue on the inside of the "clip" part of the earrings as so:

Can you see them? It was hard to get a good picture of a tiny dot of glue.
I did this for two reasons: first, to protect my pictures from the scratchy metal, and second, the glue helps to keep the pictures from slipping out of the earring. Sweet, huh?
Anyway..... the glue needs to dry completely, so leave the earrings open and set them aside.

Next, I found some pretty paper. This paper is from an Amy Butler scrapbook pad that I bought at Michaels'. Lay the backing of your frame onto your paper and trace around it, then cut your paper. Check to see if it fits in your frame, and make any adjustments needed.

Now, with a ruler, make a mark on the center of your paper where you will be gluing your earring:

Put a little blob of hot glue there:

Then, stick your (still open) earring to the blob of glue and let it dry:

Once the glue is dry, you can put your paper in the frame, replace the backing, and display a favorite photo.....

Or a sweet little note from a sweet little boy...

Awwww. :)

Now I am going to quickly show you how to make them into push pins.
Start by putting little dots of hot glue on the inside of the clip part, just like in option one.
I tried to glue the earring to a thumb tack to no avail. I use several different types of glue, but the tack just kept popping off of the earring. So, I improvised. I had some of these thingies in my "tool" box. I don't know what they are, but I do know that I found them in the jewelry department at...wait for it....Michaels'. Shocking, I know.

If you don't have any of these things you could use jewelry wire or bend a paper clip into shape.

Next, slip your little rod through the clip part of your earring:

And twist it to secure it into place:

Then, take you wire cutter and clip off the extra piece that is sticking out .

Now, take a regular old sewing pin and clip it down to size, too.

Put them up on your bulletin board and clip in whatever you like!

I love vintage earrings and this is such a great way to have them out where I can enjoy them every day!

Thanks again to Doodle Expressions! I hope we can do this again sometime!