Ideas for Decorating Ordinary Pens

Turn Plain Pens Into Gifts

You've seen the pen gift sets where a matching pencil and hinged case constitutes a $25, or higher, price tag. Lots of people give pen gift sets out to employees, friends or associates for various occasions but don't necessarily have to pay the high price. Add embellishments to ordinary pens and you have something just as nice.

There are cheap ways to adorn pens and there are tedious ways, but no matter what you choose, the pen will be an impressive gift. Make matching pencils, put them in a decorated box, and you have a nice pen and pencil set equal to some you see in retail stores. And, since small craft items aren't expensive, you can make a set for little money.

A quick way to jazz up a pen or pencil is to use yarn. Ordinary yarn is fine but there are also varieties like angora or metallic. There are many ways to do this project. Wrap a single thread round and round until you've completely covered the writing object. Or, braid three of the same or three different threads together and wrap. Each technique will give you a different look. Wrap in ordinary yarn then go over that wrap, in the opposite direction, with metallic.

How you wrap the thread will determine the final pattern. Wrap straight around, or angle the yarn instead. Use a dot of hot glue to secure the yarn at the beginning, then another at the very end. Try wrapping straight around for one layer then angle the next. This will leave recessed areas where you can glue jewels.

You can eliminate the yarn altogether and use faux jewels to decorate your pen. First cover the pen in glitter paint and allow to dry. Then lay a row of squeezable glitter paint vertically on the pen. Align the jewels in the paint and lay pen down until jewels are dried. Lay another row of glitter paint and align the jewels. Continue this pattern until the jewels are covering the pen or pencil completely. Instead of faux jewels you can also use sequin or beads.