Crafts Kids. February 20th, 2026

Safety Pin Crafts: 25 Stylish and Surprisingly Fun DIY Ideas

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Safety pins (commonly known as a sewing tool) are one of the most overlooked craft supplies — yet they’re incredibly versatile. From jewelry and fashion upgrades to home decor and functional life hacks, safety pin crafts are trending because they’re affordable, edgy, and easy to customize. They are also popular in punk-inspired customized clothes and handcrafted gifts through upcycling into accessories.

Safety pins provide a versatile base, allowing artists to connect, decorate or entirely change the object. Find creative safety pin ideas in art and crafts that promote creativity and uniqueness in crafting.

Types of Safety Pins for Crafting

There are three types of safety pins for crafting.

Common Safety Pin Sizes and Uses

Each type of safety pin has a different size and uses for crafting. These include.

Mini Safety Pins: These are best for delicate jewelry, earrings, and crafts with detailed beadwork.
Standard Safety Pins: They are used for bracelets, clothing decor, and general crafts.
Large / Industrial Safety Pins: You can use these pins for fashion statements, wall decor, and bag accessories.
Brooch Safety Pins: These fancy pins are ideal for decorative pins.

Materials and Finishes

Stainless Steel: Stainless steel can easily survive rust and lasts longer.
Nickel-Plated: They are shiny, but they might fade later.
Colored Enamel Safety Pins: These Pins are perfect for modern, colorful, or kid-friendly crafts.
Gold, Black and Antique Finishes: You can use these pins for vintage or aesthetic designs.

Essential Tools and Supplies for Safety Pin Crafts

There are a few essential tools and supplies that you need for creating safety pin crafts. These include.

Step-by-Step Example: Red Heart Beaded Safety Pin Pattern

This is a classic pixel art style project that looks fantastic on a jacket lapel or as a gift. Also commonly known as flag pin or beads curtain art.

Time: This project takes under 30 minutes and makes a great handmade gift.

Material: To make this, you will need 9 safety pins (Size 2 is best) and a large horizontal pin or a piece of wire to hold them all together.

Instructions: The Heart Pattern Grid

In this pattern, W = White bead, P= Pink bead, and R = Red bead. Each pin holds 9 beads.

PIN NUMBER	BEAD PATTERN (Top to Bottom)
Pin 1	W-W-P-P-P-W-W-W-W
Pin 2	W-P-R-R-R-P-W-W-W
Pin 3	W-P-R-R-R-R-P-W-W
Pin 4	W-W-P-R-R-R-R-P-W
Pin 5	W-W-W-P-R-R-R-R-P
Pin 6	W-W-P-R-R-R-R-P-W
Pin 7	W-P-R-R-R-R-P-W-W
Pin 8	W-P-R-R-R-P-W-W-W
Pin 9	W-W-P-P-P-W-W-W-W

Pro Tips for Assembly:

Open the Pin Slowly: Hold and open gently to avoid bending and twisting the pin.
The Orientation: Slide the beads onto the open arm of each small pin. Once the beads are on, use needle-nose pliers to squeeze the clasp shut so it doesn’t pop open.
The Hanger Pin: Thread the coils (the little circles at the bottom) of your 9 pins onto the arm of your large horizontal safety pin.
Spacing: If the pins slide around too much on the large pin, you can place a single small seed bead on the large pin between each beaded pin to act as a spacer. Keep a 2-3 mm gap at the clasp to ensure effective locking.
Close the Pin Tightly: Check that it locks securely and perform a gentle pull test. Use jewelry pliers for tight closures. Apply a drop of jewelry glue or use clear nail polish once the design is final.

Beaded Fish Safety Pin Pattern

Design Tips for Beading Safety Pins:

To achieve a polished appearance, use repeated color patterns.
Use different bead finishes to create textural contrast.
Balance weights in jewelry to prevent twisting.

Pro Tip: Select beads with slightly larger holes for a smoother installation and less scratching.

A) Linking and Weaving Pins Together

1. Chain Construction: Connect safety pins through each other’s loops to form a chain. It creates a flexible structure, which makes them perfect for bracelets, necklaces, and bag charms. Use equal pin sizes for a neat, professional look.

2. Grid-Style Layouts: Connect pins horizontally and vertically to create grid patterns. Grids form strong, stable surfaces best for patches, wall decor, or fabric embellishments. Keep spacing even for a clean finish.

Movement vs Rigidity: Chain designs allow movement and are wearable. Grid designs stay rigid and work best for decorative crafts and art pieces. Choose a structure based on your project purpose.

B) Mixed-Media Embellishment

Yarn Wrapping: Tie yarn or embroidery thread securely around safety pins to provide color, softness, and texture. To ensure durability, secure the ends using transparent glue.
Fabric Strips: Wrap or tie thin fabric strips, such as denim, lace, or ribbon, around pins in a variety of designs, sealing edges that fray quickly.
Charms and Found Objects: Use little charms, mini beads, shells, or discarded items to create unique and individualized designs, but avoid heavier objects that could cause the pin to open.

25 Creative Safety Pin Crafts

You can make a variety of art and craft items using safety pins. These include clothing crafts, home decor, accessories, and gifts. There are many ideas listed for you to help you choose a suitable craft idea.

Safety Pin Jewelry Ideas

You can make affordable and customized jewelry at home by using a safety pin, glue, and a few adorned items.

1. Ring

This adjustable safety pin ring adds a quirky, stylish jewelry statement. Make sure to close the end first.

2. Safety Pin Bracelet

You can make this bracelet by attaching safety pins to each other and by adding colorful beads to each pin.

Clothing and Fashion

You can transform your plain and boring clothes into modern, punk-inspired. trendy clothes with safety pins. Here are a few ideas listed for you to customize your clothes.

3. Safety Pin Decorated Backpack

You can customize backpack by attaching safety pins in a creative pattern.

4. Shoe Brooch

Add Safety pin shoe brooches to add extra charm to your plain boots.

5. Safety Pin Styled Jeans

Attach pins to jeans for trendy punk-inspired fashion.

6. Old or Broken Jewelry Scarf Pin

You can embellish your clothes with decorated safety pins using old or broken jewelry.

7. Jacket Pin Wings Pattern

This wing-patterned pin-decorated jacket adds a punk-inspired touch to your plain black jacket.

Alex K.

Home Decor

You can create creative and beautiful home decor items for your home using a safety pin without breaking your bank. You only require minimal and economical items for these crafts.

8. Night Glowing Dreamcatcher

You can add a rich look to your simple night light with this safety pin decoration.

Krysten Hyland

9. Christmas Tree

You can decorate your home at Christmas with this economical and personalized Christmas tree using colorful beaded safety pins.

One Little Project

10. Safety Pin Wreath

This creative safety pin wreath adds a handmade holiday charm. You can make it using ribbon, beads, glue, and safety pins.

Kristen Hyland

11. Safety Pin Lighted Snow Man

Make this glow snowman decoration made with pins and lights.

The Bead Ladi

12. Safety Pin Beaded Lamp

Beautiful campground lamp project using multiple types of blue and white bead, safety pins, a stand and wire.

Juanita Crawford

Accessories and Gifts

You can make beautiful accessories and personalized gifts for your loved ones using safety pins,

13. Keepsake Party Favors

You can make these charming perler bead charms and string them to make memories keepsake party favors.

14. Safety Pin Baby Card

You can Personalize baby cards using pins and bead decoratively for your family journey portrait.

cute-safety-pin-greeting-card-baby-shower

Craftionary

15. Friendship Bag Charms

Create small tassel and chain pin charms to decorate backpacks creatively.

Didem Inselel

16. Girl Scouts Beaded Pins

Use beads and string motivational messages to wear an alliance badge, keychains, or even bookmarks.

beaded-backpack-glass-charms-keepsake-accessory-safety-pin

Meri Cherry Art Studio

17. Bento Brooch

Many love this Japanese mini food-themed brooch. Your friends or family will love it.

Bento brooch

18. Flower Crochet Lapel Pin

You can combine crochet flowers with pins for elegant brooches.

19. Pom Pom Sweater Brooch

Bright pom poms on pins will decorate sweaters nicely.

20. Macrame Brooch

You can make this simple, yet beautiful, creative brooch made of combined macrame knots with pins.

21. Friendship Pins

You can create this customized handmade key chain with beads, creative messages, or names.

safety-pin-friendship-pins-with-letter-beads

Kitchen Counter Chronicle

22. Graphics and Book Lovers Pins

Make enchanted and magical characters come to life with beaded pins of your own to wear.

venerable beads

Tips for Designing Professional-Looking Safety Pin Crafts

To elevate your designs to look stylish and not cheap:

Color Theory Basics: Limit to 2–3 main colors for a balanced design.
Use high-quality beads: This makes an overall difference in vibrancy and shine of the final product.
Symmetry Vs Asymmetry: Space evenly for symmetry as it provides a neat look, while asymmetry offers a more creative feel.
Weight Distribution: Use fewer heavy beads, it is essential to avoid bending or opening pins.
Secure Pin Closures: Use jewelry pliers for tight closures. Apply a drop of jewelry glue or use clear nail polish.
Storage and Care Tips: Store safety pin crafts in dry, airtight containers to prevent moisture and rust.

Mistakes to Avoid When Crafting with Safety Pins

Here are a few mistakes that you must avoid while crafting with safety pins.

Overloading pins: Too many beads or heavy materials can weaken their closure, increasing the risk of accidental opening.
Using Low-Quality Metal: Safety pins can result in bending, shape loss, and faster breakage or rusting.
Skipping Safety Checks: Always check pin closure strength and sharp ends before using or wearing your craft item.
Poor bead sizing: Using beads with holes that are too small can scratch, bend, or damage the safety pin.
Mixing too many colors: Over-complicating simple designs with too many colors. Clean and intentional designs look best.

Common Questions About Safety Pin Crafts

What are the best beads for safety pins?

Seed beads (specifically size 10/0 or 11/0) are the most popular because they fit perfectly on standard-sized pins. For a more modern look, try cylindrical beads or glass bugle beads.

How do you stop safety pins from opening?

Safety (especially in jewelry) is paramount. Use jewelry pliers to pinch the clasp shut once your beads are on. For permanent pieces, add a tiny drop of G-S Hypo Cement or super glue inside the clasp before closing.

3. Are safety pin crafts safe for kids?

With supervision, yes! However, always use pliers to secure the clasps so the pins cannot be opened by small hands. For very young children, look for bulb pins (coil-less pins) which have a smoother shape.

4. What size safety pins should you buy?

Size 0 (19mm): Best for delicate earrings.
Size 2 (38mm): The standard for bracelets and lapel pins.
Jumbo (100mm+): Used for statement wall art or heavy-duty kilt pins.

Safety pin crafts show that creativity can thrive with limited resources. A variety of objects, from jewelry to home decor, can be made with basic supplies such as pins and beads. These crafts are beginner-friendly, inexpensive, and offer easy modification to adjust to various styles. So, consider safety pins to be an opportunity for artistic creation rather than a simple sewing material.

Written by: Hani Shabbir

Drafted by: Alveena Nazir