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There's a whole thread on how to use stick pins on cards. If it's such a sticky embellishment, why bother? Let me make clear...in no way am I maligning those who do use them and love them. I've seen plenty of stick pins used beautifully on cards.
But can you mail them? Could you be sued if someone got stuck? Should greeting cards come with warning labels? "Sharp object inside. Open with care!" I know I can buy caps for them, glue on bugle beads, etc. But I just don't want to bother.
Does this make me a bad person? Am I too practical?
You are not alone. Some of these pins are just gorgeous (mmmm, sparkly!), but I just couldn't do it.
I can't wrap my head around the zippers on cards, either. Some of these zipper flowers I've seen were pure genius, but it just is something I'll never do.
I am with you on this. I have seen them used (mostly in photos on SCS or in magazines) and there were no caps or beads or any kind if protection from the sharp point. I just wouldn't feel right giving one to someone who might not notice until it was already sticking in their finger. I think mailing them would be questionable.
:mrgreen: Susan, you are not too practical!! You are practical :^) .
I think I used a stick pin on a card once. It looked nice. (ETA: And it was included in a package, so no mailing issues there). But, eh. . . not one of my go-to items.
I guess if I were doing something very antique-y vintage, especially something to do with old-fashioned hats, it'd be the first thought that popped into my head. And if it were just the right thing for the recipient, then the extra trouble for packaging would be a no-brainer. I have a SIL whose spare time is spent almost entirely on historical re-enactments and would make a card for her with a stick pin in a heartbeat!
I have more practical tendencies myself - stick on rhinestones, brads, buttons, ribbon, some flowery things and clips here and there. But I can imagine someone just loving more frilly touches. And I could imagine them for non-card things, too -- like bridal shower favors, corsages, etc.
I'm sure it's worth the trouble for some people, but truly it is the last thing I'd expect to find on a LateBlossom card ;^) !
You are definitely not too practical. But I'm coming from a place of "this has to be flat enough to mail in a normal envelope" and I don't use embellishments thicker than the stick-on pearls or rhinestones.
However, some of the cards using those thicker embellies aren't cards to me. They are works of art that should be framed & hung - and if I was working on something to be framed & hung, I most definitely would use stickpins on it in a heartbeat.
You are definitely not too practical. But I'm coming from a place of "this has to be flat enough to mail in a normal envelope" and I don't use embellishments thicker than the stick-on pearls or rhinestones.
However, some of the cards using those thicker embellies aren't cards to me. They are works of art that should be framed & hung - and if I was working on something to be framed & hung, I most definitely would use stickpins on it in a heartbeat.
You are not alone. Some of these pins are just gorgeous (mmmm, sparkly!), but I just couldn't do it.
I can't wrap my head around the zippers on cards, either. Some of these zipper flowers I've seen were pure genius, but it just is something I'll never do.
YES! But I also will never actually do that, at least not on a card.
Frankly I would be pi**ed off if someone gave me a card with a sharp object attached to it. It might be lovely and all that, but the sentiment would be lost on me if I had to bandage a finger and then thank them for their effort.
__________________ A good dog, a sewing machine, and an old guitar......
They are pretty but I would never use one on my card for that very reason that I would be worried it would stick someone. I actually prefer more flat cards (buttons/pearls are about as embellished as I get).
__________________ Carrie
"Exercise is a dirty word. Everytime I hear it I wash my mouth out with chocolate." -Charles M. Shultz
I think many of the cards that use these types of embellishments are not for giving. The stamper gets a lot of pleasure out of making them, looking at them, posting about them. Maybe having them stored in a scrapbook, published, etc.
I once got an amazing card in the mail chock full of stuff. The stamper sent it in a box. It was beautiful. i could never make anything like that, but admired it greatly.
__________________ Dear Paperlicious is my blog...with a series on how I'm learning to improve my cardmaking by studying others.
The few times I've used pins on cards, I was sticking them behind something (like a sentiment), so I mounted the sentiment with pop dots, and stuck the pins into the foam. Held the pins in place AND kept the points from sticking out.
I think many of the cards that use these types of embellishments are not for giving. The stamper gets a lot of pleasure out of making them, looking at them, posting about them. Maybe having them stored in a scrapbook, published, etc.
I once got an amazing card in the mail chock full of stuff. The stamper sent it in a box. It was beautiful. i could never make anything like that, but admired it greatly.
Excellent point, Joan.
It seems I'm unable to get away from puns relating to stick pins. :rolleyes:
Someone on here just the other day had a wonderful idea of gluing beads on the end to cover the point. I bought some (pins) and they just sit and stare at me. I make an effort to pick one out and try to put it on the card but it just never seems to look as good as other peoples cards and I put it back! They sure are pretty though. Oh!! Bugle beads or something like, that's what the beads were that were recommend!
After I put the pin through the ribbon or card, I use wire cutters to cut the sharp end off. You can then put a small clear plastic item on the end to keep any beads in place. I've bought clear earring backs from Michael's and used these. They're inexpensive and work well.
In my opinion stick pins are not for cards. Stick pins belong on a hat or a lapel on a woman. Remember, these are cards we are making, no one is going to wear the card.
About the zipper flowers........In my opinion, I think they are ugly! Why would you want a zipper on your card?
I could never get behind using stick pins or zippers. I make collage cards every now and then and I use odd bits of this and that, but I keep my collage cards since I don't have anyone in my circle that likes them.
I've seen some weird things but on cards and I keep thinking "just because you can doesn't mean you should"
I think we spend so much money on our hobby, what's a bit more for padded envelopes and a bit extra postage. I put on my card whatever works for it (although I haven't made a zipper flower yet) and then just choose my mailing accordingly.
You can always just stick it in a bigger then usual envelope and place a piece of bubble wrap over it if you don't want to get the bubble mailer.
My husband uses a lot of my cards for his unit. He sticks them in an envelope, but hands them out to people, not mailing them.
I think we spend so much money on our hobby, what's a bit more for padded envelopes and a bit extra postage. I put on my card whatever works for it (although I haven't made a zipper flower yet) and then just choose my mailing accordingly.
You can always just stick it in a bigger then usual envelope and place a piece of bubble wrap over it if you don't want to get the bubble mailer.
My husband uses a lot of my cards for his unit. He sticks them in an envelope, but hands them out to people, not mailing them.
It works for me. I like pins!
and that is the beauty of the hobby! whatever works is wonderful
__________________ Dear Paperlicious is my blog...with a series on how I'm learning to improve my cardmaking by studying others.
You are not too practical! They are beautiful but just not practical to give or send. I did see a thread about some one looking for the tips to cover the points.
__________________ Daughter of a King My Blog
Rebekka
I bought an album with a stick pin and it is super secured with the point behind the flower embellishment. Love the look. The lady makes hers out of beads and uses a jewelry finding which looks like a pin but does not have a sharp point.
Hi Susan! I love the look of stick pins on cards, but as other posters said, it'll be for something that will be framed. Not only will I worry about the recipient being stuck, but for myself as well!
__________________ Tina
- I love someone with autism. -
In my opinion stick pins are not for cards. Stick pins belong on a hat or a lapel on a woman. Remember, these are cards we are making, no one is going to wear the card.
About the zipper flowers........In my opinion, I think they are ugly! Why would you want a zipper on your card?
Patti
right. Things are just getting crazy. Pple don't know what new things to come up with and they start taking components off of clothings and fashion accessories.
right. Things are just getting crazy. Pple don't know what new things to come up with and they start taking components off of clothings and fashion accessories.
However, some of the cards using those thicker embellies aren't cards to me. They are works of art that should be framed & hung - and if I was working on something to be framed & hung, I most definitely would use stickpins on it in a heartbeat.
True. Has anyone tried making and give it away? What is the response?
Oh yes, I haven't answered the question. I don't mind using pins so long as it is not to be mailed. In a work of art that is meant for display you can use anything that is not gross or bad taste.
I have to agree. I just can't see putting an open pin on a card. Not saying those that do are wrong, because I've seen some beautiful cards using them.
I would just be too afraid someone would get some new piercings that they weren't planning on. And I know little children LOVE to admire the cards that mommy gets in the mail.
I haven't read all of the posts, but I am sure it has been mentioned. I think a lot of these cards with bulky embellishments are moreso pieces of artwork than for popping in the mail. Cards are mini-canvases. I know the cards I make as artwork are definitely different from the ones I actually give to people. I just bought a few plain stick pins to embellish from a bead store.
The jewelry findings used instead of sharp pins are called head pins. Any place that sells jewelry making stuff will have not just one kind but several lengths/metals as they are as basic to jewelry making as cardstock is to us. They even come with decorative heads. And they are completely blunt. They aren't as stiff as pins as they are meant to bend but they work if you are gentle. Better yet, smaller beads may not thread on stick or cordage pins. Head pins are designed for beads and most will slide on just fine!
I do have a stash of corsage pins and do use them sometimes. I use earring backs, they looks like a little plastic tube slided into little bits, often with a ridged shape to the outside and they are for securing hook earrings. the other thing I do for safety is wire cut the tip with jewelry pliers meant to leave a blunt tip (if you use them the wrong way, the tip is very sharp) and glue the tip to the card. A little dot of matte accents works well and doesn't show.
Remember too, quite a few of the cards you see blogged are for design teams. I never think of mailing the stuff I make unless it has a specific purpose in mind which is about 5% of the time. As a designer, I think pretty before safety. But I live in Canada too and we don't think so litigiously as you Americans. Thank heaven! I'll be sure to out a caution note on any pin cards I sell on Etsy.
Can't help with the mailing though.
__________________ RebeccaEdnie Mixed Media Artist, Paper Crafter, Jewelry Designer SCSDirtyDozenAlumni Www.Boxofchocolatescrafts.Com YouNeverKnowWhatI’mGoingtoMake
Am I too practical?
