How to pick the right pins and avoid Pinterest fails
How to avoid Pinterest fails.
By Aimee Heckel
The DIY movement spurred by Pinterest.com is a modern mom’s dream — or nightmare.
The right projects can save you big money, help you entertain your kids and be a ton of fun. But the wrong ones can destroy parties and dinner plans and maybe even pieces of your self-esteem as a self-sustainable parent.
No doubt it’s fun (in a Shadenfreude kind of way) to flip through Pinterest fails. But it’s far from fun when it’s your special pinwheel cookies for Santa.
But how can you know in advance which pins are wins and which are flops?
1. One great resource is Made From Pinterest. Here, three sisters try various pins and write about their experiences. Instead of scouring the endless sea of (potentially risky) Pinterest pins, flip through Made From Pinterest’s category, “This Pin Rocks,” for the best pins that actually work.
Our favorite pick from this site right now: Make a DIY gold dinosaur necklace.
2. Look for reliable pinners with special board of projects they have actually tried — and succeeded at. For example, we follow this blogger’s board, “Pins I’ve attempted.” Not only do we know that another human (read: not Martha Stewart) has tried them, but we can also reach out to her with questions, if we have them, and read any helpful notes and tips she leaves on the pins.
3. Looking for more Pinterest success? Check out this board on how to have more success with your pins. On the flip side, beware of these 25 things that make you look dumb on Pinterest.
4. Follow the masses. This isn’t advice you usually hear, but in this case, the most repinned, popular pins are likely beloved for a reason: they work. Check out Pinterest’s top pins for 2013 and give these a try — in particular, this “crafty DIY” board.
A great family pin from that board: Make a pocket-sized magnetic fishing toy to keep in your purse, to entertain your kids when you’re out at dinner. Pick up Altoids, including these minis, at Walmart.com, and save money with these Walmart coupons, paired with Cash Back from ShopAtHome.com. Read more articles about Walmart here.
Save money on other purchases for your family with these babies and kids coupons.
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