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Easy Clip Art Rails

Easy Clip Art Rails
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If you are looking for an inexpensive project to dress up a blank wall or a means to hang your child's artwork, look no further. These easy clip art rails are inexpensive and easy to build.

Easy Clip Art Rails
Easy Clip Art Rails
Easy Clip Art Rails
Easy Clip Art Rails
Easy Clip Art Rails

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Easy Clip Art Rails

8 Feet long as shown

Preparation

Shopping List

2 – 1×2 pine or MDF strips, 8 feet long (I used firring strips from Lowes for 75 cents each) 2 – bags of small clothespins, 24 count each (bought mine at Joanns for $2.49 each) Glue (I used Elmers) Paint (I used Valspar Antique White Satin leftover from the bookcases. The fastest method would be to spraypaint) 4 screws or 4 Picture Hanging Brackets

Common Materials
Elmer's Wood Glue
120 grit sandpaper
Cut List

You can cut your boards down to size, but it's not necessary.

Tools
Power Sander

Instructions

Step 1

Remove the springs from the clothespins.

Step 2

Paint the wood part of the clothespins and the boards.

Step 3

Step 4

Reassemble the clothespins. Then glue the clothespins to the boards. I glued the clothespins ever 4″ starting 2″ from the ends. You can do this by marking the board at 2″, 6″, 10″, 14″, 18″, 22″ . . . and so on, every 4″ until the last mark at 94″. Alternate pins facing upwards and downwards.

Project Type
shelves
Wall Art
frames
Toys
Home DIY
Room
Bedroom
Kids and Toys
Style
Cottage Style Furniture Plans
Children's and Kid's Room Furniture and Toy Plans

Comments

odomamo (not verified)

Sat, 01/23/2010 - 07:25

I have done this and got trim or chair rail and attached the sivler not clips to it. Get the white trim etc. and no need to paint and have it cut at the store.

Anne @ the doc… (not verified)

Sat, 01/23/2010 - 07:38

This is awesome :) I'm totally making this for my craft room!! Thanks!!

Jen (not verified)

Sat, 01/23/2010 - 08:06

Great ideas! I love your blog. Have fun in Hawaii. We live on Maui and get our daily does of vitamin d every day!!! Thanks for visiting!

Maryann @ Dome… (not verified)

Sat, 01/23/2010 - 09:30

Aloha! Have a fab time! Can't wait to make these for our bonus room.

Gail :) (not verified)

Sat, 01/23/2010 - 14:46

I just found your blog and I am in LOVE!!!! I have been telling everyone I know about it! I am off to add a link to your blog from mine. You are so generous. I cannot wait to get building :)

Jeanette (not verified)

Sat, 01/23/2010 - 16:04

This is such a great idea. I am thinking about using this to keep my 'ideas' and 'projects' handy. Great idea.

The Faveros (not verified)

Sat, 01/23/2010 - 20:08

This is the first project idea you gave me that I made!! There is one in my daughters and my son's room!!

Elizabeth (not verified)

Sun, 01/24/2010 - 02:20

I am making this! I hope today. My daughter has all sorts of papers that she brings home from school.

B (not verified)

Sun, 01/24/2010 - 12:51

I think I'm going to redecorate my whole house in Knock-Off Wood! I have an empty corner in my living room and lots of kid art to hang up; this would be perfect!

stef j. (not verified)

Sun, 01/24/2010 - 20:07

a. i love these clip-art rails!! SO doing it in my 3 1/2 yr. old's room.

b. which island are you coming to? we live on oahu and i do photography it you want more pics! {lame plug, i know)

c. have you ever considered doing modern style furniture?? i know you're more into "rustic", but i'd love some tips/pointers on the modern lines :)

cara (not verified)

Sun, 01/24/2010 - 21:01

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SITE!!!! I have been drooling over it ever since I saw it on ohdeedoh a few weeks ago. Yaaaay, I am so excited to get some projects going...and it looks like you're from Alaska?? I'm in Anchorage, lived here a while, and HATE that everything costs more up here, OR that we have limited options. My husband and I are s-l-o-w-l-y updating/remodeling our 70's house (takes a while because we have 4 young kids, and we do all the work ourselves...) Anyway, have fun in Hawaii, love it there! We got to go in November :) Thanks again, Ana!!

Cottage Dreamers (not verified)

Tue, 01/26/2010 - 07:33

A friend introduced me to your blog and I'm already addicted! I can't wait to get started on some of these projects. I'm so glad you're sharing with us!

Marissa (not verified)

Tue, 01/26/2010 - 08:49

Thank you so much!!! I am in the process of organizing my scrap room, and these Clip Art Rails are fabulous!!! I am going to use them (with modification) for rubber stamps, across the top, and hanging embellishments.
Fabulous!!! now I know how to do it!

Kate (not verified)

Tue, 04/20/2010 - 07:56

I found your blog via facebook... a friend of mine is making the modern style farmhouse table and posted a link to your blog. I LOVE IT!! I made the clip-art rails today for both my girls' bedrooms. I think it is so important to showcase kids' work and this is an excellent way to do so!! Thank you!!!

Marygail (not verified)

Sat, 08/07/2010 - 20:10

So happy to have found your blog! This is going to be my very first project! It'll be for my kids rooms, and after I redo my craft space I'll do this project again. Can't wait :)

Robyn (not verified)

Fri, 09/03/2010 - 00:39

I wanted to make these for our playroom, but I have two little ones (and hubby wants one more) so these will need to last a long time. Is the glue strong enough to last years of abuse or would it be better to nail/screw the clothespins on?

MarketGirl76 (not verified)

Mon, 11/08/2010 - 04:03

Made this in a few hours. I installed three rails in my stairwell heading to the basement to display photos and art work from the kiddos. I used a hot glue gun to adhere the clothes pins and it seems to be working well. Good luck to everyone!

Amy Avaritt (not verified)

Fri, 12/03/2010 - 22:04

I'm so happy I found this website! You have provided an easy way for curious would-be builders to get over the fear of ignorance and jump into the project they have always dreamed of. This little clip art project rescued me! We draw names for Christmas and we are supposed to make something, but I'm the least crafty of the family and thought I would settle for giving a gift card. I know I can accomplish this project and build my confidence to move onto another! Thanks for empowering me!

nikki_0823

Tue, 03/22/2011 - 11:33

I just finished hanging this up on my little one's wall! Super easy to do, looks great and is a nice piece in a growing boy's room. All I have to do is switch out the papers to change the look. A lot better than trying to redo it every couple of years!!

Guest (not verified)

Fri, 08/05/2011 - 08:01

This is a dumb and delayed question...If you take the the springs off of the clothespin, how do you hang pictures? I know, I'm really slow...

Sherrie (not verified)

Fri, 08/19/2011 - 07:09

I made one for my son and it turned out so cute! It's such a great idea!

diana (not verified)

Wed, 09/21/2011 - 16:40

Great for an idea board in my art-crafting space.

Plus messages to myself to get busy and off the computer! LOL

Tiffanie (not verified)

Sat, 11/05/2011 - 15:04

Hi there, Ana!

Just found your website a few days ago. So wonderful! As an architect I find looking at how other people detail things fascinating.

I did a similar art wall for my daugther, with trim boards held off the wall with 3/8" plastic spacers. It is a godsend, as the amount of artwork around here is prolific!

http://bloggingcornerblog.blogspot.com/2011/09/only-on-black-wall.html

Great work!

Tiffanie

Frequently Asked Questions

Wood Questions

What kind of wood should I use?
Most of our plans use standard construction lumber like pine or fir. It's affordable, easy to work with, and easy to find. It's also rapidly renewing and biodegradable, so a great eco friendly choice!

Can I use hardwoods instead?
Yes—just keep in mind they're heavier, cost more, and can be tougher on tools and harder to join together and finish. I recommend not tackling a hardwood project until after you have built several softwood projects.

What if my boards are warped?
Choose the straightest boards at the store. You can often work around slight warps by cutting them into shorter pieces.

What wood should I use for outdoor furniture?
Use red-toned or pressure-treated 2x lumber for framing, and cedar or cedar fence pickets for the decking. Outdoor furniture should be built like a deck—your local home center can help recommend the right wood for your climate.

Will my wood move or warp after I build?
Potentially, especially in humid climates. Let your wood acclimate indoors before building. Once acclimated and kept in a stable environment, movement should be minimal. Remember, most houses are built using framing lumber - it's all about keeping moisture down indoors.

Cutting Questions

Do I need a miter saw?
A miter saw is great, creating fast, safe, and precise cuts, even for beginners. But most plans can be built with a circular saw and a straight edge. If using a circular saw to cut, take time to practice, and get good at making cuts, before cutting your project boards.

How do I get clean cuts with a circular saw?
Clamp your board, measure twice, cut slow, and use a sharp blade. This takes practice, so spend some time making cuts. I go through becoming proficient at freehand cutting in my course, it is worth taking if you want to master this skill.

Will the store cut my wood?
Yes—most stores will do rough cuts to help you transport your materials home. But from store to store, the quality of cuts could greatly vary.

Joinery Questions

What screws should I use?
We recommend star-head self tapping screws for framing, most common sizes are 2-1/2", 1-3/4". Pre-drill if close to the edge or you find your wood is splitting.

Do I have to use pocket holes?
Pocket holes are the cheapest, easiest and fastest way to do some joints - like edge to edge or a hidden fastener joint. There are other methods, but these can be time consuming and expensive. We recommend using pocket holes as indicated in plans for best results.

How do I keep things square?
Use a speed square and measure diagonals after each step. Always clamp joints before screwing to keep them tight and flush.

Finishing Questions

Stain or paint before or after building?
A quick sand before and a full finish after gives the best results. Pre-finish if you're doing two-tone or detailed finishes.

What type of finish?
Use oil-based or water-based stain. For paint, cabinet-grade latex or enamel works great. High use surfaces on indoor projects should get a coat of polyurethane, I recommend a Helsman or Spar or other flexible poly that won't crack or peel with wood movement. For exterior projects, use a finish suitable for exterior fences.

How to get a smooth finish?
Start with a well sanded project. Sand between coats (220 grit), wipe clean, and apply light coats with a foam brush or roller.

Plan Questions

Can I change the size?
Many people do, and that's the great thing about building your own furniture! But do keep in mind going bigger might mean more supports are required, and often plans are optimized for minimal material waste.

Are these beginner-friendly?
Yes—plans are written with simple tools and clear steps in mind, with every effort to make plans as simple as possible.

Can I sell what I build?
Absolutely! Just don’t resell or repost the plans themselves.

General Questions

What tools do I really need?
A drill, circular saw, tape measure, square, and a few clamps will get you through most projects.

Do I need a workshop?
Nope! A driveway or small patio is plenty to get started, just make sure you have a level place to work. If you find you are building several projects a year, creating a small workbench is a great way to store tools and have a dedicated workspace.

What if I mess up?
Wood filler, sanding, or flipping boards goes a long way. Mistakes are part of the process!

What can I do to make my projects look more professional?
Start with straight boards, make accurate cuts, clamp all joints, and line up everything neatly. Sand thoroughly, use a neutral finish, and apply it in light coats for a clean look.

I've never built anything before. Where should I start?
Start with a few smaller softwood projects to get hands-on experience. Or if you're tackling a big project, buy a little extra lumber and practice your cuts and joints first. If possible, work with someone who has a bit of experience.

Care & Maintenance

How long will my furniture last?
With good joinery and regular care, your DIY furniture can last for decades. I have pieces in my own home that are over 20 years old and still going strong! One of the best parts about DIY furniture is that it’s easy to repaint, refinish, or repair—so your projects can grow and adapt with you.

How should I care for outdoor furniture?
Lightly pressure wash or hose it down once or twice a year. Tighten screws and reapply finish as needed to protect it—just like a deck or fence. A little upkeep goes a long way in extending the life of your furniture.

How about indoor furniture?
Regularly dust or wipe with a damp cloth. If it starts to look worn, a light sanding and touch-up paint or stain can refresh it in no time. DIY pieces are meant to be durable and fixable—so don’t be afraid to give them some love now and then.

Want to Build with Confidence?

Check out my ebook: 12 Skills to Build Your Own Furniture
It walks you through the core skills every builder needs—measuring, cutting, joinery, and finishing—so you can build beautiful furniture that lasts.

Still Have Questions?

Email us anytime at [email protected] and we’ll be happy to help!