My daughter recently asked me to help her make paper plate puppets. In the past, we have used metal brads which we usually have in large supply to attach the arms and legs so that they can move. This time though, I couldn’t find any anywhere in the house.
My husband swooped in to save the day and offered me some of his cotter pins. Also known as split pins, their common function is to hold bolts in place within machinery. In my opinion, this is a sadly narrow application for these little dynamos.
There Are Many Crafty Uses For Cotter Pins
There are so many other craftier and pleasant ways to use them.
For example, you could use a cotter pin to keep glue fresh (idea from Jewelry Making Journal).

Or, you could craft your own Neon Statement Necklace by following this tutorial from Pitter and Glink.

Don’t forget the matching earrings! Again, courtesy of Pitter and Glink.

Why not follow the directions at Cutout and Keep to make a Tin Can Knitting Loom?

Use the rest of your tin cans to make these Tin Can Flowers from We Made That.

And for those of you who are really crafty, you might enjoy this tutorial from Craftbits to help you make your own Baby Pip Teddy Bear.

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Leigh @oneandoneequalstwinfun.com says
Creative! Love posts like this – keep them coming. Those flowers were great.
Filipino Dessert Recipes says
Wow! Love the necklace very creative! Thanks for sharing.
Brynn @ MommyDigger.com says
Good call on using them to keep glue fresh, I HATE when they get all dried up and useless.
Lisa b says
Those are very creative uses for them! I wish I was more crafty!