Handmade Clothespin Snowflakes

Add a touch of handmade charm to your holiday decorations with these easy-to-make Clothespin Snowflakes. With a few simple materials (clothespins and glue) and a little creativity, you can craft unique ornaments that suit your holiday style. Perfect for tree ornaments, gift toppers, or window displays, these snowflakes are as versatile as they are beautiful. 

I’m excited to share another festive handmade Christmas décor idea with you: Clothespin Snowflakes! I love a handmade holiday. While I’d love to take credit for this idea, I can’t—it’s one I spotted in a magazine. The moment I saw it, I knew I had to try it for myself. Let me tell you, this is such an easy and fun project. It requires minimal skill, and the possibilities for unique designs are practically endless.

One of my favorite things about these snowflakes is their versatility. You can use them in so many ways! Hang them as ornaments on your Christmas tree, attach them to presents as adorable toppers, tuck them into garlands, or even dangle them from chandeliers. I included a few examples in the photos, but ultimately I decided to hang mine (using a bit of blue tack) on the windows above the little Christmas village in my dining room. It’s such a charming touch! (The houses are from Cody Foster.)

I think you’re going to love this festive DIY project. 

Why You’ll Love This Project

• It’s incredibly simple, yet offers endless creativity. This project requires minimal skill. Plus, the variety of designs you can create means no two snowflakes have to look the same. The process is fun, relaxing, and something the whole family can enjoy.
• The materials are affordable and easy to find. With clothespins, glue, and a little imagination, you can create beautiful, custom snowflakes without spending a fortune. It’s a great way to upcycle or make use of supplies you already have.
• These snowflakes are wonderfully versatile. Use them as ornaments, gift toppers, garland accents, or window decorations—the possibilities are endless! They’re lightweight, durable, and can be styled to fit any holiday theme or décor.
• You can truly make them your own. From painting to adding glitter or other embellishments, these snowflakes are a blank canvas for your creativity. Whether you go rustic, traditional, or modern, they’ll feel unique and personal to your style.

Love making your Christmas decor?  Me too! In recent years it’s been one of the highlights of my holiday season. I have an entire post dedicated to all my favorite handmade Christmas decor that I’m sure you’ll love. 

Materials

Let’s get into the materials list. You only need three things to make these Clothespin Snowflakes. Love that! 

• Clothespins: I used two sizes—standard and smaller ones. For color contrast, I found vintage clothespins on eBay that were a darker brown. You can buy darker brown new clothespins. Here are some links to help:
  • Standard clothespins
  • Small clothespins
  • Dark wood clothespins
• Tacky glue: This tacky glue worked great for bonding without adding the bulkiness of hot glue. It also keeps the final look cleaner. Feel free to use hot glue if you prefer, though it might be more visible in the finished design.
• Wax paper: It’s essential for your workspace since glue won’t stick to it, making cleanup easier and preventing the snowflakes from adhering to the table.
• Blue Tack(Optional): This is not needed to create the snowflakes, however this is what I used to hang them on my windows. I stuck them to the wooden window panes. I’m not sure if this will work directly on glass.

FYI: If you’re looking for the village / houses seen in this post, you can find a great selection of them here.

How To Make

Okay, are you ready to make these whimsical Clothespin Snowflakes? Let’s do it!  I’ll still take you through the steps below. I’ve also provided a list of materials and detailed instructions in the printable how-to card below. 

1. Start by disassembling your clothespins. Hold each side and twist in opposite directions to remove the metal spring. (If you’re working with vintage clothespins, keep the pairs together to make matching them easier later.)
2. Plan your design. Check out the photos of my snowflakes for inspiration, or create your own unique pattern. Once you’ve settled on a design, glue the individual clothespin pieces together. Each “arm” of the snowflake typically requires two pieces glued together. 

3. Working on wax paper, assemble the arms first. Glue the clothespin halves together in pairs, ensuring each piece is aligned neatly. Let the glue dry for a few minutes until the pieces are stable. 
4. Once all the arms are ready, lay out the full snowflake design on your wax paper without gluing. This allows you to see how the pieces connect. Make adjustments as needed. Once you are satisfied with the arrangement, start gluing where the pieces touch, working section by section. 

5. Let the glue dry for about 30 minutes, then carefully flip the snowflake over. Add extra glue to the back at the connecting points for added stability. This step ensures the finished snowflake feels sturdy and holds its shape. 

6. Your snowflake is complete! Repeat the process to make more snowflakes in various sizes. Smaller clothespins can create compact snowflakes which you can layer on top of larger ones for added dimension. Use the designs I’ve shared or experiment with your own ideas to make each piece unique.

And that’s it!

There’s something so special about adding handmade touches to your holiday décor, and these Clothespin Snowflakes are the perfect project to do just that.

What I love most about this project is how it brings a nostalgic, handmade charm to your home without requiring a ton of time or skill. It’s a wonderful way to spend an afternoon, whether you’re crafting solo or with loved ones. 

How to Hang

Here are a few easy ways to hang your Clothespin Snowflakes:

• I used Blue Tack to attach mine to the mullions of my windows. This works well, but it may not hold securely on glass in colder temperatures.
• Tie a small loop of ribbon, twine, or fishing line around the snowflake for a simple and decorative look.
• Use ornament hooks to hang them on your tree, garlands, or even a chandelier.
• For a nearly invisible option, attach a strand of fishing line and hang them in windows or from the ceiling.

These lightweight snowflakes are easy to display just about anywhere—get creative with how and where you hang them!

Tips and Tricks

• Drying time: Be patient with the drying process! Let the glue set fully before moving or decorating your snowflake to avoid breaking or shifting.
• Work in batches: Disassemble all your clothespins first and assemble each arm before gluing the final snowflake together. This makes the process smoother and more efficient.
• Mix and match: Combine standard and small clothespins in a single design for an intricate and unique look.
• Storage: If you’re making several snowflakes to reuse year after year, store them in a sturdy box with tissue paper between each layer to keep them protected. Avoid putting the Clothespin Snowflakes in the attic or basement because of the extreme shifts in temperature.

Variations

Using plain, standard clothespins is the simplest approach to this project (and honestly, the result is beautiful). But if you’d like to customize your snowflakes further, here are some fun ideas to try:

• Colorful clothespins: Clothespins are available in all sorts of colors and even patterns, making it easy to match your holiday palette.
• Vintage finds: Incorporate vintage clothespins for a lovely contrast of colors and textures like I did.
• Wood-dyeing: Dye your clothespins in any shade before or after assembly for a personalized look.
• Painting: Paint your snowflakes once they’re assembled. Go for a clean white or gold look, or get creative with bold colors and patterns.
• Add embellishments: Glitter, sequins, or pom-poms can bring extra sparkle and whimsy to your snowflakes.

See what I mean? These snowflakes are yours to customize. Let your creativity shine and make them a reflection of your style or holiday décor.

More Handmade Holiday Decor You’ll Love

• Vintage Bobbin Christmas Garland
• DIY Christmas Cookie Bags
• Rustic Star Anise Christmas Wreath
• Bottle Brush Tree Drink Stirrers
• Cookie Cutter Wreath

And that’s it! This is a festive craft that’s fun and functional. Whether you go for a clean and classic look or get creative with bold colors and sparkly embellishments, these snowflakes will reflect and complement your holiday style. 

So grab a few clothespins, some glue, and your favorite embellishments, and get crafting. You’ll end up with unique, handmade pieces that will make your holiday season even more magical. If you give this project a try, I’d love to hear what you think! Please stop back and leave a comment and a 5-star rating below. 

Want more from Inspired by Charm? Join the IBC Mailing List for inspiration in your inbox! Follow along on Instagram and TikTok for daily updates and behind-the-scenes looks at my processes. There’s even more inspiration on Facebook and Pinterest! 

Handmade Clothespin Snowflakes

Add a touch of handmade charm to your holiday decorations with these easy-to-make Clothespin Snowflakes. With a few simple materials (clothespins and glue) and a little creativity, you can craft unique ornaments that suit your holiday style. Perfect for tree ornaments, gift toppers, or window displays, these snowflakes are as versatile as they are beautiful. 

5 from 4 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Home Decor Craft

Cuisine: American

Keyword: christmas decor, handmade

Prep Time: 1 hour hour

Total Time: 1 hour hour

Ingredients

• Clothespins
• Tacky glue
• Wax paper

Instructions

• Start by disassembling your clothespins. Hold each side and twist in opposite directions to remove the metal spring. (If you’re working with vintage clothespins, keep the pairs together to make matching them easier later.)
• Plan your design. Check out the photos of my snowflakes for inspiration, or create your own unique pattern. Once you’ve settled on a design, you’ll need to glue the individual clothespin pieces together. Each “arm” of the snowflake typically requires two pieces glued together.
• Working on wax paper, assemble the arms first. Glue the clothespin halves together in pairs, ensuring each piece is aligned neatly. Let the glue dry for a few minutes until the pieces are stable.
• Once all the arms are ready, lay out the full snowflake design on your wax paper without gluing. This allows you to see how the pieces connect. Make adjustments as needed. Once you’re satisfied with the arrangement, start gluing where the pieces touch, working section by section.
• Let the glue dry for about 30 minutes, then carefully flip the snowflake over. Add extra glue to the back of the connecting points for added stability. This step ensures the finished snowflake feels sturdy and holds its shape.
• Your snowflake is complete! Repeat the process to make more snowflakes in various sizes. Smaller clothespins can create compact snowflakes which you can layer on top of larger ones for added dimension. Use the designs I’ve shared or experiment with your own ideas to make each piece unique.

Notes

How to Hang: 

When it comes to hanging your Clothespin Snowflakes, you have plenty of options. I used a bit of Blue Tack to attach mine to the mullions of my windows, which worked beautifully. Just a note—Blue Tack might not hold as well directly on glass, especially in colder temperatures.

For other display options, try tying a loop of ribbon, twine, or fishing line around the snowflake. Ornament hooks also work perfectly for hanging them on a tree, garland, or chandelier. Whatever method you choose, these lightweight snowflakes are easy to display just about anywhere.