Paint Brush Charm

Charms...you all know how much I love charms.  If you're new here I'll be getting a list around of the various charm tutorials I have shared over the last few years but today I couldn't wait for all that cause I've been playing with another fun charm tutorial I just have to share with you.

O.k...I don't know about you but I have to admit I'm really bad about cleaning my brushes after I use them.  To say I put my brushes through he** is an understatement. Sometimes I have to soak them for days to get the paint, glue, etc. softened up enough to be able to clean/use them again.  There are times though that I finally just have to give it up and retire them.  Well, today I wanted to share what I do with these old brushes...  I turn them into charms of course! 

Here's how I do it....

Paint Brush Charm

Supplies:

Old, grungy, dried up paint brush
Wire
Wire Working Tools (wire cutter, round tip pliers)
Beads (optional)

Instructions:

1. Break the tips off  of your paint brush...doesn't matter if it's wood or plastic, they break pretty easily.

2. (optional) You can leave the tip as is but I like to fray out the bristles a bit to give it a bit of added character.  The more wild the tip is I think the cooler the finished charm looks.   This is also a great time to add a bit more color if desired.  I had a couple paint brushes I dug out of my sons trash (he makes models) that were all blue so I added a bit of metallic bronze & gold to the bristles.  You can even wipe a bit of paint onto the handle for a more authentic look ;)

3. Now cut off a piece of wire approx 12"-18" in length.  Start at one end and create a little loop.

4. Place this loop near the bristle end of your brush tip.  Hold it in place with one hand and begin wrapping the wire tightly around the tip with your other hand. 

5. When you reach the broken end of the paint brush, stop twisting the wire around on the back side of the brush.

6. Bend the wire at a right angle so it's in line with the brush.  Now wrap the wire around the round nose wire pliers to form the loop which the wire will later hang from.

7. Finish the charm off by wrapping the excess wire around and around the brush right below the loop.  You can be  as neat or as haphazard as desired.  I like the more haphazard look so the wire looks like it's all knotted up.

And now you've got yourself a very funky, fun charm!

Tomorrow I'll share a version of this charm with beads and dangles.

Till then, run don't walk to your trash can and dig out those brushes!!!