Hello lovelies! Are you loving the new digs here at Or So She Says as much as I am? Kudos to Mariel and her team for this stellar blog makeover!
Speaking of makeovers…you’ll never guess what else got a makeover recently…my bobby pins! Didn’t know it was possible, did you? Well, it is. And it’s super easy, too. Painter’s tape and nail polish are all you need to transform plain ole bobby pins into trendy color-blocked hair accessories. They’re the perfect compliment to your bright n’ bold spring outfits!
“How did this marvelous idea come about?” you ask.
Well, I’ll tell you. I know where my skills lie and hair-styling is not one of them. I’ve always been a plain and simple hair-clip-and-bobby-pins kinda gal. But if my hair-styling is going to be plain and simple, why not go for a bright n’ bold statement with my hair accessories? And I right or am I right?
Thus, the color-blocked bobby pins were born.
So, I’m going to walk you through perhaps the easiest tutorial I’ve ever created, so that you, too, can give your bobby pins some pizzazz this spring. They also make for great gifts for your friends with birthdays coming up…or a fun activity to do at a girl’s slumber party!
TUTORIAL:
Step 1. Gather your supplies. Raid your nail polish stash for some bright n’ bold colors. Don’t hesitate to throw glitter nail polish into the mix for some sparkle, as well as black and white for some contrast.
Collect some old bobby pins or pick up new ones at the dollar store. Roller pins are great to work with for their flat surface. And bonus points for finding bobby pins that already boast a base level of color. That’ll make your job even easier! You’ll also need some painter’s or masking tape and a pair of scissors.
Step 2. Tape off some geometric patterns. Make sure the bobby pins are on cardboard or cardstock with a little bit of space in between them so that they don’t stick together when applying the nail polish. Then, cut some strips of painter’s tape and start creating geometric patterns across the surface of your bobby pins. There’s really no right or wrong here, so have fun experimenting with different shapes. Be sure to press down firmly on the tape to create a strong seal, especially over the ridges. (I could have avoided some color-blocked bobby pin casualties if I had been more fastidious with that part.)
Step 3. Painting party! Get some good air ventilation going on and have a field day painting alternating colors of nail polish in each section. Be careful not to apply the nail polish too heavily when it comes to the bobby pins with ridges or you may find that it leaks under the tape…not that I would know that or anything. {Wink.}
Step 4. Once the nail polish has dried, peel away the tape to reveal your color-blocked bobby pins! Try not to scream too loudly when you see how cute they are. {Grin.}
They look great on their own or stacked in a bunch! So, pair them with a bright n’ bold springy outfit and hit the town.
Quick & Easy Gift Ideas
Color-blocked bobby pins make great gifts, too! I sent some in a card to my friend Justine for her 30th birthday. {Happy Birthday, Jaybird!} They slide right inside the envelope. Easy peazy.
For more quick and easy gift ideas, visit me over at The Thinking Closet to check out these tutorials:
- Burp Cloth Tutorial for the Beginner Sewist
- Shadow Box Anniversary Gift
- Practical Gift Ideas for Moving & Housewarming
Happy Monday, everyone. May your spring be bright, bold, and full of color!
For gift ideas for everyone on your list, check out the Gift Ideas tab and be sure to pin Gift Idea Central, to keep the whole collection in one place.
kelly thompson says
May 6, 2013 at 8:03 amyour right, those are supre tricked out! they are also easy enough that i think I am going to do it right now myself….this will be a cute addition since i wear bobby pins every day to hold my bangs etc back! thanks Lauren!!
Lauren says
May 6, 2013 at 12:23 pmHooray! And I, too, wear bobby pins every day now that I’m in the hot and humid climes of Florida and need to wear it up. Have fun blinging out those bobbys, Kelly.
Rebecca Criddle says
May 6, 2013 at 11:30 amSuch a fun idea Lauren! And it’s simple enough that my little girls can help me make some! Thanks for sharing!
Lauren says
May 6, 2013 at 12:21 pmOh yes, I think it could be a really fun project to do with little ones…and they could paint their nails in the process! 😉 Glad you enjoyed it, Rebecca!
Crystal says
May 6, 2013 at 1:24 pmWhat a fun creative idea!! My daughter’s 16th birthday party is in a week and these are going in the goodie bags!!! Thanks so much for the awesome idea!!
Lauren says
May 6, 2013 at 1:28 pmYay! What a great idea! Oh how I miss the days of goodie bags…. Happy sweet 16 to your daughter, Crystal! (That was one of my favorite birthdays EVER.)
Lisa says
May 6, 2013 at 1:30 pmThis is an awesome idea!
Thanks for the tutorial, I’m sure I would have tried to paint each bobby pin individually without it!
Lauren says
May 6, 2013 at 7:29 pmLol. Glad to have saved you some extra time then, Lisa! 😉
Callie says
May 6, 2013 at 8:14 pmSeriously the cutest bobby pin idea EVER! I freaking love it!! 🙂
Lauren says
May 9, 2013 at 12:09 amThat’s freaking awesome, Callie! So glad.
Krissy says
May 6, 2013 at 9:31 pmThese are awesome! I have short hair and use bobby pins almost every day. Now my bobby pins will look fabulous! Thanks for sharing!
Lauren says
May 9, 2013 at 12:10 amMy pleasure, Krissy! Now your bobby pins will match the fabulosity you already possess.
Cindy says
May 7, 2013 at 6:33 amSuper cute idea! I’ve been wearing bobby pins a lot to keep my bangs out of my face…bright and colorful will be so much better than plain ol’ brown.:)
Lauren says
May 9, 2013 at 12:10 amI always say, “Go big or go home!” Why shouldn’t that apply to bobby pins, too? Thanks for dropping by here, Cindy!
Marmie says
May 7, 2013 at 5:15 pmFun and easy…you are right and you are right!! Just wish you or I had thought of this one when you and your sister were little (for slumber parties, etc.) And I like that it also works for everyone–even “sedate” grown-ups!! xxoo
Lauren says
May 9, 2013 at 12:11 amI know, they’d be perfect for slumber party fun. Though we certainly weren’t short of activities to keep us occupied at the slumber parties of my youth. Lol. And you are FAR from “sedate,” Mama!
Lolly Jane says
May 8, 2013 at 9:22 amSo cute! This will be perfect for a mutual craft night (:
Lauren says
May 9, 2013 at 12:11 amIndeed! Crafting is more fun together, and bobby pins are more fun with color, so it’s a perfect match!
Stephanie R says
May 12, 2013 at 2:48 pmThese are the cutest thing EVER! Im going to have to try making some with my daughter!
Lauren says
May 12, 2013 at 6:54 pmThanks for your enthusiastic response, Stephanie! Have fun crafting these with your daughter. (And happy mothers’ day to you!)
Darlene says
May 12, 2013 at 10:52 pmHad to Pin it on Pinterest so I can do these cute bobby pins with my granddaughter.
http://darlenebnemeth.blogspot.ca
Lauren says
May 13, 2013 at 9:16 amThanks for the pin love, Darlene! And I love that you’re planning to make some of these yourself with your granddaughter. Fun for all!
Angela @ Creative Blossoming says
May 14, 2013 at 10:24 pmWhat a great idea! So simple and crafty. I have a pixie haircut, so I love finding new ways to spice it up. Thanks for sharing!
Lauren @ The Thinking Closet says
May 23, 2013 at 12:47 pmPixie haircuts are so gosh darn fun, I wish I could pull that off! I bet some brightly painted bobby pins would really shine in your cute do! 😉