The Binder Clip
Jan52013
I have a thing for fancy binder clips. Target and Michaels both have brightly colored variations that get me every time because (a) they’re cheap and (b) I’m weak. The problem is, I think they’re awkward on bundles of paper, so I never use them and they sit around in all their color and beauty and glower at me. Then I read this Lifehacker post, and the clouds parted and birds began to sing because I will use seven out of ten of these Things To Do With Binder Clips.
Then I kept googling because Google is the Potato Chip Bag of the internet and found these duct-tape covered binder clips:
So if you don’t have a stash of funky clips of your own, get some fancy duct tape and combine two of the greatest forces in the universe. Wallow in that accomplishment and then go organize your power cords as an office Zen Master.
Hey, small accomplishments are still accomplishments.
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31 Comments to 'The Binder Clip'
On January 5, 2013 at 6:27 pm pamb said...
We use binder clips to close opened snack food packages. See them all the time, altho, alas, we don’t have cute ones. But that could change.
On January 5, 2013 at 8:05 pm Skye said...
But where is the link to the Things to Do With Binder Clips? You mean I have to look it up myself?
I always think of buying those cool binder clips and never do because I don’t know what I would do with them. (Yes, I occasionally have flashes of office supply will power.)
On January 5, 2013 at 10:53 pm JulieB said...
I love binder clips. But I have black ones. Now I MUST FIND the paisley ones.
On January 6, 2013 at 9:14 pm Jenny said...
I didn’t put the link in? ARGH.
Yeah, it was the Lifehacker post.
On January 5, 2013 at 8:16 pm Gin said...
Maybe this is the link: http://blog.makezine.com/2011/07/28/top-10-binder-clips/
On January 5, 2013 at 11:03 pm JulieB said...
That’s a good one too, but I think this is the one she referred to: http://lifehacker.com/5927857/top-10-diy-miracles-you-can-accomplish-with-a-1-binder-clip
On January 5, 2013 at 8:31 pm Cathy M said...
I liked the inventiveness of the makezine top 10 binderclips and would like to add my own use. I use toothpaste that comes in a plastic tube, so if you try to roll it up, it’s not really effective. I use a binder clip to keep the roll from unwinding. Unfortunately, my binder clip is basic black. I need to beautify it.
On January 5, 2013 at 8:37 pm Jessie said...
I had no idea. What I have missed by stapling everything.
On January 5, 2013 at 10:34 pm Robin S. said...
I actually do use mine when I’m working with piles of things and want to keep them separate. I also use them to keep my loose-tea bags shut tight. I’ve had my plain black ones so long I never knew they came in colors now!
On January 5, 2013 at 11:02 pm JulieB said...
Here it is! http://lifehacker.com/5927857/top-10-diy-miracles-you-can-accomplish-with-a-1-binder-clip
On January 6, 2013 at 12:14 am CC said...
I understand and support your love of binder clips. I have an odd and unnatural affection for office supplies with a particular weakness for binder clips, Sharpies and Post-It notes. I use binder clips everywhere and have a stash of them in almost every room in the house. Sitting here I can see -turquoise print ones holding my speakers on the cross bar of my desk/folding tv tray- floral print one holding the speaker wires in place- polka dot one holding a kitchen towel- a few hanging on the fridge and one hanging by the front door to hold those things that must leave when I do.
On January 6, 2013 at 1:21 am Sure Thing said...
Oh, this is like gaining a superpower.
I used binder clips a lot when I worked in admin. Oddly enough, I forget about them when I got to teaching, even though they’d work miracles. Thanks for the reminder.
On January 6, 2013 at 6:37 am Micki said...
Washi tape and modpodge also comes to mind (-:.
To keep my cables together, I use colorful (orange and yellow) hair elastics. Easy to see in a black computer bag, and I always know which wire is mine when I plug my computer into the group plug-in at the middle of the teacher desks.
I love the way they use these binder clips to make things stand up!
One more: my MIL uses them to keep plastic bags from slipping down to the bottom of trash cans.
On January 6, 2013 at 8:30 am cbpen said...
I have always used them for chip bags. I use them to keep the curtains closed to keep the glare off the TV or computer screen. I’ve used one as a money clip. I’d like to try the phone in the car holder, but it looks kind of involved. Maybe there’s a simpler way???? Hmmm??? I’ll have to ponder that.
I know there are other things, but I can’t think of them right now.
On January 6, 2013 at 10:17 am carolc said...
I am amazed! I may have a new addiction.
On January 6, 2013 at 11:43 am Robena Grant said...
This is fabulous! I found a couple of interesting ways to use the drawer full I have. I used to use them for submissions to publishers and agents but now everything is done electronically. I recently had postcards made for my first book. It is now standing up on two small binder clips and looks awesome. : )
On January 6, 2013 at 1:07 pm merry said...
Oooh, duct tape designs. I have many boring binder clips waiting for these. My favorite clips were some I got several years ago. I think they were from Staples and the package contained about 10 clips in different colors and the word “crap” on each. Crap Clips! I love them, but some have disappeared. I know for a fact that the seemingly nice lady at H&R Block has two of mine as the papers with my clips were returned held together with plebeian paper clips. And, of course, now I can’t find Crap Clips anywhere. If anyone knows where to purchase them, please let me know. They make such great editorial comments. But now I can have checks and paisleys. I’m happy about that.
On January 6, 2013 at 5:00 pm Louise said...
They’re gorgeous. I think they should make binder clips with the handle things covered in easy to grip and colourful silicone.
On January 6, 2013 at 6:58 pm Susan D said...
All very well and good to identify the 10-things-etc link, but Jenny, what are your chosen 7?
My most useful use of a binder clip? Yes, it included duct tape. I duct taped a spare length of red wool to the non-working end of my crochet hook, then tied the wool to a binder clip, and clipped the clip onto the edge of my crocheting bag. And never again, in all the time I was crocheting grandson #3′s baby shawl (he’s now 2.5 years old) did I lose the crochet hook.
Not elegant, but majorly effective.
On January 6, 2013 at 8:08 pm McB said...
Cool! I do love binder clips as I hate stapling thick sheafs of paper. 98% of the time I end up having to remove the staple and those heavy duty ones are a pain. Not mentioned in the hacker blog is using them to hang stuff. Things that I want on a bulletin board but can’t stick a pin through … Stick a clip on it and hang it by a handle from a push pin. Also useful for reclosing bags of anything. But I didn’t know they came in anything but black.
On January 7, 2013 at 8:39 am Ashley said...
I would love to see your feed reader/list of blogs your follow. You stumble into the greatest articles. Also, I too believe that binder clips are the answer to life. They are the best multipurpose office product.
On January 7, 2013 at 9:50 pm Jenny said...
The only blog I follow is one about abandoned theaters. Everything else I just trip over. Oh, I read TPM every morning, too. Thanks to links, you can find amazing things just following your nose.
On January 10, 2013 at 8:17 pm QueenofStoneAge said...
That leads to the question of why that blog, why that topic?
I don’t mean to seem nosy. I listened to a presentation about a renovation/historic restoration of a movie theater in western Massachusetts that required the introduction of other compatible uses to make it work as a business proposition–a theater that was not ultimately abandonned, so your mention of that single blog made me wonder and now ask why that one, why that?
On January 12, 2013 at 9:15 am Jenny said...
I tripped over it once and loved what the guy was doing, finding old theaters and photographing them and reporting on what had happened to them. He doesn’t post often, but I love the pictures. Abandoned theaters and amusement parks seem so rich with story, and because they began as illusions, when they begin to deteriorate and the illusion goes, their beauty just deepens because you can see the layers there. When photographers go in to make a record, they focus on details, too, the things you miss unless you get in close, and generally you don’t get in close since the is the illusion is in the distance. And when the colors fade and peel, they’re amazing.
The blog is written by Matt Lambros, and it’s called After the Final Curtain.
On January 13, 2013 at 2:25 pm QueenofStoneAge said...
Thanks!
On January 7, 2013 at 10:46 am Kate said...
I love the picture frame idea. Looks really need and easy to change.
On January 7, 2013 at 1:33 pm Lou said...
Jenny, If you use the clips to organize your cables and wires – be sure that the wires are not being pinched by the clip. Pinching wires is not a good thing!
On January 8, 2013 at 6:47 pm Liz said...
I’ve got an unrelated question for you- is there any chance that you’re going to release Crazy People to any other sellers? (I’m particularly interested in AllRomanceEBooks or the indies which seem to be partnered with Kobo now.)
On January 8, 2013 at 11:27 pm Jenny said...
Nope. You can download the Kindle app for free and read it on the computer screen which I realize is not as good as reading it on an e-reader.
On January 11, 2013 at 6:28 pm SelenaBlake (@SelenaBlake) said...
I’m so glad I’m not the only one. My local WalMart actually has an amazing selection of office supplies including some designer looking clips and sticky notes (my other obsession.) My biggest problem with the digital office is the lack of need for office supplies!!!
On January 23, 2013 at 10:08 pm Calisa Rhose said...
Hi Jenny! First, I have to say I love the story of your first ms, endearing and perfect. Next, O.M.G. Binder clips? Seriously, and Duct tape! My two favorite things besides writing and reading! LOL I will FOREVER be in your debt. Now hubby might let me into an office supply store again this millennium since I can prove I can use all the clips I accumulate. Thank you!