Faux Brads

Create your own brads out of paper.

Supplies

Step-by-Step

1. Step 1

   Score a 5" long piece of cardboard 3 times at 1 ¼" intervals. The first and third scores should be mountain fold and the second (middle) fold should be a valley fold.

   

2. Step 2

   Punch a hole in the first section. Fold up to the second section.

   

3. Punch Using the first hole as your guide, punch a hole through the second section.

   

4. Step 3

   Fold up to the third section. Using the first 2 holes as your guide, punch through the third layer. Leave the fourth layer unpunched.

   

5. Your faux brad jigs, or molds, are finished. Multiple sizes are shown on first example.

   

6. Step 4

   Using the same hole punch, punch one hole out of card stock and one out of cardboard.

   

7. Step 5

   Fold up your brad jig and place the card stock circle inside the hole in your jig.

   

8. Step 6

   Use the largest end of your stylus to push the circle down and round it against the sides.
   
   

   

9. Step 7 (Optional)

   You may also use a wooden toy bowl in place of or in addition to the jig.
   
   Note:
   The larger sizes work well for 1/2 inch or larger faux brads.

   

10. Step 7

    Repeat the rounding on the cardboard circle. Place a small amount of fast grab tacky glue inside the rounded card stock circle.

    

11. Step 8

    Place the wax paper between the last punched hole and the unpunched layer in your brad jig (or inside the wooden bowl as shown). Use the stylus to push the layers together and also to further round the two. The wax paper will keep the glue from sticking but also provides a wax shine to your brad.

    

12. Comparison:
    Brad with this step and without.

    

13. Step 9

    Complete your project and attach the brads using the same tacky glue.

    

14. 

Video!