{Cotter Pin Earrings}

I love when I come across projects that are made out of something unexpected.  They inspire me to see items in a different way--to see beyond what they are intended for to what they could become.  While perusing the hardware section of Walmart for crafting possibilities, I came across a bag of cotter pins.

I bought a pack of them because I believed I could do something with them.  (I think they cost about a dollar.)  Soon, an idea for a pair of earrings was born.  I decided to use the technique I used for my string wrapped pendants on the pins.  I slid a piece of embroidery floss to the top of the pin.

I rubbed Liquid Stitch on the pin as I wrapped the string around it, starting with the loop.

I wrapped three sets of three different size pins with three different embroidery flosses. (Whew!)

I then attached a jump ring to the loop of each pin.

I attached all three jump rings to a larger jump ring and attached that to an earring hook.  Now I have a new pair of earrings!

I love how inexpensive and easy to make they were.

I wore them to school today, and a very country young boy said, "Mrs. Lee's wearin' pins in her ears!"  He looked closer and said, "That's them things we use when we work on tractors, but they got string wrapped around them."  I thought it was funny that he recognized what they were even thought they were wrapped in string and hanging on my ears!

I think they're a cute accessory for everyday or those special days when you're working on your tractor! ;) And one more thing before you leave...I submitted my PB Inspired Mercury Glass Lamp to Knock Off Decor, and guess what?  Tonight, my project will be featured on the website.  

If you've never checked out Knock Off Decor before, you are missing out!  It's a huge compilation of knock offs that many, many bloggers have created.  I would love for you to come visit!  Thanks!