How to Make a Clothespin Pony Ornament

This clothespin pony ornament is a wonderful ornament to add to your Christmas collection. Make one to add to a country Christmas tree. Make several for a pony tree all its own. Embellish the top of a gift box or give them out at an annual ornament exchange. This clothespin pony ornament project is easy enough for a beginner, but it is cute enough to entice all levels of crafting abilities. Basic painting, gluing and woodworking skills are all that are needed for success.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 4 Clothespins
• Green acrylic paint
• White acrylic paint
• Craft glue
• Hot glue gun
• White fringe trim
• Green ribbon
• Scissors
• Jig saw
• Sandpaper
• Paint brush
• Wood skewer
• White crochet thread

1. Use a jig saw to cut two clothespins. Cut them two inches from the top of the pins. Sand any rough edges on the pieces.

2. Lay the clothespins on a table surface. Sandwich a cut clothespin between two whole clothespins with a leg of each laying flat on the table. The opposite legs should be facing up. Make sure the top of the clothespins are even. This will create the body of the pony on its side. Apply craft glue to connect. Allow the glue to dry.

3. Apply craft glue to the front of the pony. Put it on the top portion of one long clothespin. Place the rounded side to the glue. This piece will extend past the top of the pony body, creating the neck. Allow the glue to dry.

4. Turn the remaining cut clothespin upside down. Glue it to the pony neck, a half inch above the bottom of the neck. This will create the head and ears. Allow the glue to dry. With the pony laying flat, all the sides of the pieces will be facing the same direction. The legs and the ears will be on either side of the pony.

5. Paint the clothespin pony ornament. Use the green acrylic paint for this. Allow the paint to dry.

6. Dip the blunt end of the skewer in white acrylic paint and dot on one side of the legs and body of the clothespin pony ornament. Allow the paint to dry. Turn the pony over and dot the other side. Allow the paint to dry.

7. Cut the white fringe into two equal pieces. Both should measure two and a half inches long. Overlap the long stitched edges and hot glue together, creating a mane with fringe on each long edge.

8. Hot glue one end of the mane over the forehead. Continue to glue over the head and down the neck.

9. Cut five strands of the crochet thread for the tail. Each should measure five inches in length. Fold the strands in half. Tie an overhand knot at the fold. Hot glue the tail to the back of the clothespin pony ornament.

10. Cut an eight inch piece of green ribbon. Thread the ribbon through the hole between the front legs of the pony and the body piece. Tie the ends together using an overhand knot. This will create the hanger.

Tips & Warnings

• Clothespin brands may vary in size and style. Use four clothespins from the same brand.