How to make bubble push-pins (or fish-eye thumb tacks)

Don't you just love it when someone comes over, notices something and says, "Why, that's just plain awesome," and you can puff out your chest proudly and say , "Thank you. I made it." Well, this Instructable is designed to get that kind of reaction even if that someone is checking out all the confidential documents you hang on your bulletin board!

Push pins, or thumb tacks, are pretty essential, so why not spice them up? With a few household items and some cheap additions, you'll be hanging those papers in style.

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Step 1: Stuff you're going to need

The ingredient list is pretty short:

- clear half-marbles (I found mine at the local Dollarstore, in the flower arrangement section)
- wide diametre earring posts (mine were 11/16")
- colourful scrapbooking paper or other snazzy designs
- White glue (important: must dry clear!)
- toothpicks
- scissors
- pencil

maltesergr8 says: Aug 19, 2011. 12:15 AM

These are great! I'd never have to worry about losing these if they accidentally fell on the carpet ;)

I'm not having any luck finding the wide diameter earring posts. May I ask if you have any recommendations for suppliers?

Thanks for a super 'ible!

{Tiny Hands are adorable <3}

calistakaufman (author) in reply to maltesergr8Aug 21, 2011. 9:25 PM

If I remember correctly, I picked mine up in a random metal pack from Michael's Craft Store in Ontario a couple of years ago. I think they'd probably still carry them in store... the selection on their site is abysmal, but the store itself is really well stocked.
www.michaels.com

Otherwise, Walmart might be a good place to try too. Etsy and eBay are possible choices, depending on the inventory. Searching for 17 or 18mm earring posts or earstuds might yield something good, such as these 14mm earstuds:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/71219442/bulk-100-surgical-steel-flat-pad-earstud?ref=sr_gallery_5&ga_search_query=earstud&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_ship_to=CA&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_page=2&ga_search_type=supplies&ga_facet=supplies

They aren't exactly the full size, but the length of the post doesn't change, so a good glue will ensure that your marble stays well connected.

Good luck, and thanks! :) Let me know how they turn out!

{tauney} says: Feb 13, 2010. 7:08 PM

These also make great magnets. I've been making them for a couple years now with all sorts of scrap paper--the free space from my Drag Queen Bingo cards, the little leaves off the paper on the chopsticks at my favourite sushi place, travel pamphlets from places I've been...

calistakaufman (author) in reply to {tauney}Feb 24, 2010. 1:30 PM

Absolutely! And great ideas for the paper, by the way, picking out things that have meaning for you. It's a little 'I remember that' moment every time you see them :)