More bread tag robots!

I have tried some more bread tag robots, this time with some proper tools! It's amazing how much easier it is to work when you have the right tool for the job. I had seen a pack of 5 assorted jewellery tools at Spotlight complete in a zip up pouch for $15, but I much preferred paying 30% less with a discount voucher..... ;)

Anyway, buying head pins was expensive, so I bought a roll of beading wire instead, and made them with loops. I think they give a bit of interest to the front, so adding the heart may be too much?

I also tried using the one that I spray painted, and it looks pretty good an breaks up all the whiteness.

So I also thought I would try the loose leg style, and I think I like it more this time around, as they are longer, and the shoulders aren't so pointy. Basically, I just cut 2 tags in half, but the leg ones need to be trimmed a bit around the join and flipped around to make feet. 

The holes are drilled with the smalles bit I have, except for the neck, as the jump ring is thicker so won't go through. Mo measuring, just eyeball and drill. Simple!! 

Not a bad result, if I do say so myself :) And much more secure than the head pins, so the joints are tighter....

They don't look so great from the back, though, so I will consider painting them, at least in primer, to hide the dates that are printed on them. That will give a much nicer look to the finished pieces. Not sure how to fully remove the inside of the key, either. It's such a small space to work with, and you can't get cutters all the way down to the base. I wonder if I should just keep the shank attached, rather than mangle up the back trying to remove it?

Anyway, I will definitely be painting some more tags as soon as the weather calms down a bit, but what to use for the hanging loop? I thought an earring hook, or maybe a keyring? Not sure it would survive that kind of abuse, as they are quite delicate. More thought required on that.....

Bread tag Robots

I was given a bag of multi coloured bread tags - you know, the little plastic clips that hold the end of a loaf of bread closed? What to do with them??

So, after a Google search, up popped a cute little robot http://www.michlinla.com/2011/04/slap-another-post-with-dueling-crafters.html Using him as inspiration, I did some experimenting....

Since my tags are a different shape to the one on the web, I tried a couple of variations. First, I put two tags together with a head pin in the middle (the green one), and tried many different ways for the arms, but I ended up glueing them in place because they kept falling behind the body. I had already saved a bunch of keyboard keys from another project that didn't happen, so had all the ingredients on hand, which is a plus... ;) I used a heart shaped confetti (also on hand) as an accent, like the original inspiration pic.

The second I tried a jump ring at the "waist". Still glued the arms in place and used a laptop key, rather than a keyboard key. It is way more fragile, but makes for a flatter piece. You can see where I put some holes a bit high and had to redo them so the jump rings would fit. She also has a little flower in her hair.

Third try, I turned the top tag around, and I like the results ;) More head pins, though, so I have to master turning the loops.... He looks like the sheriff, with his star badge on his chest :) 

The fourth guy looks a bit naked, but I have been experimenting with painting them... I trimmed the arms slightly differently (more like the original) and it helps with the arms moving around, (not sure I like the pointy shoulders, though...) and used the leftovers for some dangly feet. Gives an interesting effect, don't you think??

I think, out of all of them, the red one is my favourite. Yes, it needs 4x pins, but I think it is more stable and proportioned than the others. I definitely see more of these in my future! ;)