Classic American Clothespins

There is nothing like an inferior clothespins

to ruffle my feathers.

Our canine companion thinks it's just a fun game.

I go to hang laundry,

get said inferior clothespin in proper pincer grip,

go to pinch clothes to line,

SNAP!

it breaks and flies,

Rip (short for seam-ripper) goes into attack mode.

Those flying objects are no match for his sharp teeth.

He'll show'em.

He's going to be so disappointed when I use clothespins that actually work.

No more attack the flying clothespin game.

One of my Christmas blessings this year

was a  bag of Classic American Clothespins

from Herrick Kimball.

Source here

I was so excited.

I actually ordered them for myself

since there was a waiting list to get them.

They came ready to be assembled.  The sand paper and emery board were included incase of any rough spots (as well as the springs-not pictured.)

I want them to last for the rest of my life so I first gave them a

generous dose of linseed oil.

Since I was at it, I decided to go ahead and oil my old ones too.

I then mixed up a batch of wood wax.  I melted the beeswax in a tin can

then mixed it all together in a little old chipped teacup I had.

I like the wide-mouth of the teacup.

It makes using a rag/cloth easier.

It's not set-up in this picture.

I had to stir it up several times.

The recipe that Herrick recommends is the same one that I had,

so that was reassuring.

I've used it on furniture, and really like the results. 

(Recipe included at end of post)

Here is the common clothespin available in most laundry sections of the store.

One of the old 'good' ones that my mom gave me when I was whining

about crummy clothes pins.

And on the right one of my new American Classic Clothespins.

And I just couldn't resist - the real ends of the spectrum:

a plastic clothespin vs. AC clothespin.

We have snow on the ground right now

so I haven't had the opportunity to use them yet,

but I can hardly wait.

As I was putting them together,

I told Mr. LB, "Let me see your finger." :)

The springs are nice and strong.

It will be so nice to be able to hang jeans and not break the clothespins.

Wood Wax Recipe

2 Tablespoons linseed oil

2 Tablespoons turpentine

1 ounce beeswax (melted)

Mix together and rub on wood products.

Please be sure to follow any safety precautions on ingredient labels.

Until next time,

Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches