Friday, July 17, 2015

Quick Craft: Turn Old Thimbles Into Decorative Window Pulls!

When John and I re-did our bamboo shades in the steampunk room, we had to replace all the cording with a darker color:


 

When we did that we threw away the old wooden pulls, though, which left me brainstorming something fun to use as a replacement.

At first I thought of using antique brass plum bobs, but it turns out those are a bit too heavy, and the decorative ones are surprisingly expensive.

Finally I landed on the idea of using old metal thimbles. After a little searching, I bought this lot off Ebay for around $10:

Then it was just a matter of John drilling holes in the tops for the cording to slide through. Tie a knot underneath, and you're done!

 
Pretty, right? Beats those boring old wood pulls any day.

I'm sure some of you may be horrified at the thought of "ruining" perfectly good thimbles, but I'm pretty sure none of these were too old or too valuable. And to be honest, even if they were, I like the idea of making them useful again. This way they're still on display, but not just as decorative clutter.

You could also use these for pulls on fans, overhead lights or lamps, and even necklaces! Something to think about, if you have a stash lying around in your sewing basket.


Initially I wanted all brass thimbles, but as it turns out, I really love the tiny pops of color:

 They're quite subtle, but a nice surprise when you get closer to the windows.

And they really are the perfect size!


Hope this inspires some craftiness out there!

31 comments:

  1. That's just stupid brilliant! What a fantastic idea, so simple. Those are everywhere, super cheap at yard sales and such. I used to have a bunch of ceramic ones, I bet those would work as well.

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    1. I'm curious to see if it's possible to drill through the ceramic ones, since I know they sell special drill bits for glass & porcelain plates and such. If you try it, please let me know how it goes!

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    2. I'd try doing the same as when drilling into tiles: cover the spot you are going to drill through with sticky tape (good quality electrician tape works best as it is a bit elastic and sticks well), only from both sides. Then start with the smallest drill bit you own and progress to thicker ones slowly until you reach the desired hole size.

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  2. So when I was younger, my mom started 'collections' for my sisters and I. One got bells, one got banks, and I got...you guess it: thimbles. Ha! So I've got more than a few hanging around.
    Your project is now making me think of ways I could possibly utilize my collection other than a dusty display case. :)

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  3. This is fantastic! A+ Jen!
    --Piper P from Washington State

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  4. If they were 5 for $10 I am going out on a limb that they weren't too valuable! This is a great way to display them and they are your colours!

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  5. I had no idea there was such a thing as "decorative thimbles". How awesome!

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  6. That's not ruining! What a great idea! They look incredible!

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  7. I have some small broken bells that I could do this with! Thanks for the idea!

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  8. I remember being ~*weirdly fascinated*~ by Aunt's thimble collection growing up and fricking love this idea.

    Lewis x

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  9. How can one person have so many amazing ideas?!

    I didn't even know decorative thimbles existed, and now that I've seen them, I can't believe how lovely they are. I need new blinds with thimble pulls on ALL my windows pronto!

    Ebay sellers are sure going to wonder why their decorative thimbles are selling so quickly. I bet this is going to become at least as popular as your flip flop hangers! When I see thimble pulls in a thieving magazine soon, I'll be screaming, "Jen did it first!!"

    You're awesome and inspirational, as always!

    KW

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  10. I think my parents still have my old thimble collection in storage...I think most of them are porcelain or ceramic though...would it even be possible to drill holes in those, or would they break I wonder?

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    1. See my reply to the first comment for a method that might work. No guarantees though, start with one of those that are least important to you.

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  11. I need to find something to do this with

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  12. That is absolutely AMAZING! I love it!!!

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  13. This is a really wonderful idea! Thanks! Even I could do this, and I'm the least handy person who reads this genius blog!

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  14. I adore this idea! Just brilliant.

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  15. I just love doing little touches like this that make my home more "me". Even if no one notices those little touches -- I know they are there.
    At a previous townhouse the master bedroom had a ceiling fan with two pulls - one for the light and one for the fan. I WISHED I could have found a pull that glowed in the dark. Just a little bit. Just enough so you could find the darn thing when you really needed to. Thanks for sharing Jen.
    Maureen S

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  16. I have been searching for affordable ceiling fan pulls that are not identical (so I can tell fan and light apart). Bullseye! Thanks so much.

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  17. Those are beautiful! I myself have used beads from the craft store for my pulls on my home-made roman shades; those work too (without having to drill holes. :-) )

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  18. omg. my mother would kill me if i did that to her thimble collection.

    but now i wanna start my own....

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  19. These were not 'cheap' thimbles, but glass enamel cloisonne on brass. You got them at a great price! I love the re-use, too.

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