Tired of Boring Paperclips? Make These Instead!

Are you tired of using boring old paperclips in your journals and planners? Today I’m going to show you a way to transform everyday paperclips and turning them into beautiful, functional art.

These paperclips are super fun to decorate and can be used just like you’d use a normal paperclip.

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Creating the Base for the Paperclip

To create the base for an art paperclip, start with a basic paperclip. I like using the large 2” long ones as they are a bit stronger. You can always use a thinner and smaller paperclip, but it depends on how robust you need it to be. If you want to use it to hold papers or be a more functional paperclip, the larger paperclips are a better choice.

If you’re using this art paperclip as a bookmark or in an interactive book to hold something closed, a smaller paperclip will work just fine.

Start with the paperclip as your base. I’m using a paper clip that is 2” by ½”. Measure the paperclip before you start as this will affect the size of the paper you will need to cut.

You can use any weight of paper for this project, but today I’m using 110lb Hammermill cardstock as this will create a durable art paperclip.

Using a paper trimmer, cut your piece of paper 3” by 6”. Score the paper at ¼” inch around all the edges.

Put your piece of paper in landscape orientation on your score board and score at 3”.

Cutting the Corners

At each corner you will have a scored square, which I have marked with a purple pen so that you can see it more easily. Cut at a slight angle to these corners, mitering the edges. This will help the paper fold easier and makes the edges less bulky.

Cut all 4 corners as well as the middle score line.

Folding the Edges

Fold all the edges up and fold the paper in half so that all the score lines are creased.

Add in your paperclip at the 3” fold.

Use your favorite glue or dry adhesive to glue down all the corners and add extra tape along the paperclip. You can use a white glue, but using a strong adhesive like Sookwang tape does make this easier to manage as you get instant hold.

You have now created the inside portion of your decorative paperclip.

Creating the Outside Cover

Cut a piece of paper 2 1/2” by 6 ¼”, score at 3 1/8” and fold in half.

You will notice that the outer paper is a bit longer than the inner paper. We’re going to adhere it to the paperclip and them trim to adjust.

When working with heavier paper, you will always have some thickness along the fold that you will need to compensate for. If I had cut the piece of paper the same size as the base (2 ½” by 6”), it would have been too small for this project.  

Remove any adhesive backing (if using dry adhesive) and line up the paperclip cover to the top of the covered paperclip and press down. Then trim the cover paper so that it lines up with the bottom edge.

Remove the rest of the tape and fold the cover over and adhere. Then trim any excess paper at the bottom edge.

Decorating the Paperclip

We have transformed our paperclips into 2 ½” by 2 ¾” shapes. Cut 2 pieces of decorative paper to 2 5/8” by 2 3/8”. You can use handmade papers, collage papers, or any scrapbooking or decorative paper. If you’d like to learn how to make your own collage paper, click here or on the photo below.

You can keep these art paperclips simple by just adding on a few decorative pieces of paper and calling it done, but we’re going to take it a bit further today.

I’m using art papers that I created in a course that I’ll be releasing in the next few weeks. It’s about how to make your own backgrounds, create layers and create your own paper bag book. You can find out more details by visiting my shop!

To add more detail to the paperclip, I’m adding floral acetate pieces to my paper. Just use your favorite PVA glue or Art Glitter Glue to adhere them to the paperclip.

If you’d like to get your own copies of the floral images, they are available in my shop. These are original drawings I’ve created and scanned at high resolution digital file for you to use in your next project.

By adding in a few pieces of decorative paper, you have a transformed a paperclip into a beautiful, functional piece of art that you can use in your projects.

Large Bookmark

For those who may want a larger piece to use as a bookmark, cut your cover piece of paper to 8 ½” by 3”, then score it at 3 ½” This will give you a bookmark that is 5” by 3” when completed.

For the backing paper, cut your paper to 9” by 3 ½”, and score at ¼” around all sides. Then score at 3 ¼”.

Follow the same technique as we did for the first paperclip. Miter your corners, fold the papers and glue the edges down. Add in your paperclip and glue it down. Glue the front and back papers together and trim any excess. I always cut the paper a bit longer knowing that I’m going to trim it. It’s much easier than the paper being too short!

Decorating the Bookmark

I’m using some leftover collage pieces that I created which you can purchase as digital images in my Shop. Cut your piece 2 7/8 x 5 1/8.

To add a bit more detail to this front piece, use a script stamp and archival ink to stamp with Archival Jet Black ink onto the paper.

Using a green pitt pen and a ruler, add a border to your decorative paper and to your quote.

Choosing a Focal Image

This is an image I had colored and cut out from my spring botanical collection. I like that this image is going to go past the edges and I love a strong focal image. Use your favorite PVA or Art Glitter glue to adhere the image.

For the back of the bookmark, I’m going to keep the design simple. Cut your piece of paper to 2 7/8” by 5”. Cut at 2 7/8” and 2 1/8”.  Adhere to the back of the bookmark.

Why Make These Art Paperclips?

These art paperclips are a great way to use up those leftover pieces from other projects. These make great gifts plus the larger paperclips could even be gifted in place of a card. Just add your special message to the back of the bookmark!

Thanks for joining me and if you’re looking for more creative inspiration, check out this article next where I show you how you can make beautiful collage papers from things around your home.

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