DIY flower pins! Link to tutorial and notes from me :-)

It was *from this very article* that I learned how to make my flower pins. It's a good start, but you'll come up with your own creative twists, I'm sure. Read on through to the bottom of the article to see how I make mine (that is, for those of you who are interested). I completely disassemble the flowers--they talk about this later on in the article. The first part is just basically about sticking a pin back on the flower.

This is sooo much cheaper than buying them in the store, and allows you to make much prettier and more unique pins than you'll see in the stores.

http://www.wisebread.com/diy-silk-flower-brooch

OK, notes from me:

If you're interested in making these, you first have to get yourself to a crafting store or fabric place (we have Michaels and JoAnn fabrics here in the US). I buy various types of (read--inexpensive!!) silk flowers--roses, dahlias, daisies, poppies, etc.--in various colors. I also "invested" in a mini hot glue gun (seriously, I think they cost $2) and a bag of mini glue gun sticks (another $2 or so). You will need pin backs--buy cheap ones. They will be in the jewelry making area of the craft store.

I remove the flowers from their stems and take the plastic backing off. I un-layer the flowers and spread them alllllll over the dining room table. Then I re-layer to suit my fancy. The flower will look a little flat, but that's o.k. I glue the layers together, and then, where the plastic center of the flower was, I hot-glue something like an old brooch, a vintage or interesting button, an orphaned 50's clip-on earring with its back removed, a large pretty bead (like a pearl!), etc. etc.
FINALLY, I glue on the back. I cover mine, as they show in the tutorial, with a leaf from the silk flower stem, but you really don't have to do that as no one will ever see the back of the pin.

Don't get frustrated if they don't turn out perfectly--just scrape the glue off of the ones you've got and try again 'til you get the knack for it.

If anybody makes any of these, I sure would love to see them, so I hope that you will share your creations with the forum!

-A

15 years ago

Tara

(website)

Veteran

Yay! Inspired. Thanks st4grrl!

marianna

I'm usually not crafty but this sounds like fun! Thanks for sharing!

Queen Mum

ooh, I'm going to try this! thanks for the link.

Louise

Oooo that's fantastic thanks for sharing I'm inspired to have a go x

Dusty

Active Member

Easy peasy! Thanks! (I make my own, too, but I make the flowers out of organza - it's fun because there's fire involved!)

Anonymous

Thank you, st4rrgrrl . Your flower pins with your outfits have been stunning. I was looking for a belt with a flower to dress up a sheath dress. Now making my own sounds doable. Any suggestions for a pewter metallic flower?

Srujana

Amanda, this is perfect! I'm definitely going to be trying this out

florida

Joy, goodness, yes! Get yourself to a big craft store--our Michaels has lots of metallic silk flowers. Maybe layer a metallic flower with a white one, or different shades of silver/pewter, then go to the antique/vintage store and get a sparkly brooch (inexpensive) to put in the center. Or a big silvery bead.
Doesn't have to be perfect, as it's the overall effect that's the point, here!

Maybe if I get a chance I will make a bunch up and put them in my etsy shop for cheap-o

Those are great ideas, especially the one to mix in different shades of the metallic. One mixed with black and another mixed with white and taupe included are now on my list. We have Michaels, JoAnn's and Hobby Lobby but I haven't been craft shopping in ages. I can't wait!

Thankyou for the directions and your notes. This sounds like a fun project for me and my daughter and grand daughter.

Lisa

I'm not crafty but will give making one a try. Thanks for the info! Do the pins put holes in your tops?

I hope you don't mind me adding a tip. I made a flower brooch a few months back and used heavy duty magnets instead of a pin. I bought them at Michael's. They're about the size of a small button, and they're super strong magnets, so they'll even stay on my denim jacket.

I put one magnet on the back of the floral brooch and then glued a little felt circle around it. Then I use a second magnet on the inside of my blouse, dress, or jacket. No holes in my clothes!

Dawn

Oh wow, this sounds brilliant... and easy enough! How badly can I mess this up? I must see what flowers my local haberdashery has on my Wednesday morning.

Lisa--if you have a very heavy pin, you probably wouldn't want to stick it into a lightweight top. I haven't had a problem with holes, but I'm very careful.
NK--GREAT suggestion, thank you!!! I love that idea!

Stacey D

Yay! I've admired your pins and was secretly hoping you'd tell us how you made them. Actually, since I'm knew I figured you'd shared it long ago and I'd missed it. I really want to try this! Sounds pretty simple and a great way to use those old buttons from my grandmother.

NK I love that magnet idea!

Inge

Moderator

Oh I was just about to say you should start an Etsy shop to sell your creations, Amanda, but I see you're way ahead of me (do share a link to your shop pretty please?).

I am going to admire all you crafty gals from afar, and not get my hands dirty here. Two left thumbs and no patience for any kind of handiwork spells disaster and frustration, trust me;-)

Sighing in admiration over your collection of pins and brooches though!

Inge, my etsy shop has been empty for years!! Like, four years! Sigh, just not enough hours in the day... But if I make some flower pins and put them out there, I will indeed send you the link. Sounds like a relaxing little project for me.

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