Office supplies make my heart skip a beat more than most things in life. I'm reminded of this every time I walk into a book store. Cute guy at the cashier? Oh cool. Cute planners and sticky notes at the cashier? I'm taking you home. But of all the office supplies out there, there's nothing quite like a box of brand new pencils, and these super cute pencil DIY projects will help you take this back-to-school basic to a whole new level of amazing.
Look — I know I'm not the only person who is completely obsessed with school supplies. And while nothing is more exciting than a fresh new set of materials, this stuff isn't exactly budget-friendly. Luckily, all you need is a little DIY know-how to give your school supplies a stylish makeover. Even if you are out of school, these quick and easy projects can totally be used in the nine-to-five world. Honestly, why does adulting have to mean boring pencils? Life is too short for that kind of nonsense. Whether you are hustling in class or living the office life, these six simple pencil projects are all you need. No fancy Martha Stewart skills required, so go ahead and get started.
1. Painted Ombré
What You'll Need:
- Paint brush
- Acrylic paint
What To Do:
Using a dry brush, apply paint to the top half of the pencil. Drag the brush downwards, spreading the paint thinly.
It's super important to not bring in a second helping of paint. As you use up the paint on the brush, the light wash of color will create an awesome fading ombré effect.
Here's a few expert tips: To dry a pencil upright, place it point-side down in a cup of beads, rice, or paper clips. You can also lay the pencil on two bottle caps; the eraser on one and the pointed tip on the other.
2. Color-Blocking
What You'll Need:
- Nail polish
- Washi tape
I know you have old nail polish laying around. Don't even try to hide it.
What To Do:
Add strips of washi tape around the pencil. Feel free to mix it up by using tape in different widths. Apply an even layer of polish to each exposed section of the pencil. Once the polish is dry, peel away the tape.
3. Glitter
What You'll Need:
- Paint brush
- All-purpose tacky glue
- Glitter
Who said glitter is just for kids?
What To Do:
Apply a light layer of glue to the pencil. Sprinkle on some glitter, tape off the excess, and leave to dry. Sparkle 'n shine, ladies.
4. Washi Tape
What You'll Need:
- Washi tape
What To Do:
Wrap the pencil with a strip of washi tape. Press down to clear out any air bubbles. Easy peasy.
5. Metallic Spots
What You'll Need:
- Liquid gold calligraphy pen or paint
What To Do:
Add random dashes and spots around the pencil. Leave to dry.
6. Ribbon Flag
What You'll Need:
- Ribbon
- Hot glue
- Rhinestone (optional)
For the ultimate personalized pencil, use ribbon inspired by the colors of your school, team, or club.
Bonus: If someone borrows this pencil and doesn't give it back, you'll be able to spot them from a mile away.
What To Do:
Hot glue a strip of ribbon (or fabric remnant) around the top of the pencil. Watch your fingers; hot glue can get extremely hot. Trim down the ribbon to your liking. Add a rhinestone if you'd like a little bling.
And just like that, note-taking became so much cooler.
Images: Kirsten Nunez
