(DIY) Food Picks

No bento to be post, but you have no idea how excited I am to post this DIY project ...*SERIOUSLY* it's DIY Food Picks!! and it's so cute (I promise!)

I have made some hand-made picks in the past inspired by Bentozen and many other bentoist, but I only use tooth picks and some twisted bow. 

You can use some masking tape and make pattern like leaves or flag like the one on yum yum bento book, and it is cute!! don't get me wrong I LOVE IT!!
The problem with that is you can not re-use it, the masking tape will get wet when it come in contact with greasy food. And this is reusable hand-made cute and inexpensive food picks.

This food picks DIY project I made is a great idea for those who have hard time getting some food picks, or do not want to spend so much for shipping and handling when purchase the items directly from Japan.  

I paid less than 2 dollars for each package, seeing the result I am so impressed! I save so much money and get so many cute picks in one day. How cool is that?? normally I'd wait for days from the day I purchase till the day I got it.

So this is the story, earlier today I went to Michaels to get some cookie cutter and doughnut cutters, well I did not get those :( they don't have it in stock *I guessed* ... I was a bit disappointed so then I walked around the store just to kill sometimes before picking up the boys from school. 

Then I stopped at the beads isle, I looked around and my eyes stopped at some buttons, I was so excited and checked almost the entire selection they have and went crazy :P! 

All buttons I bought still in the packaging

I was thinking maybe I could make it into food picks ... it shouldn't be too hard *I thought* all I need is just some crazy glue and something for the stem. 

But I didn't know what to use for the stem or pose. Then I came up with this crazy idea. THE COMB! Yess!! I can cut the pieces and use it for the stem. 

I was too excited I went to Walgreens right away and bought the cheapest combs they have. You can go to dollar stores I am sure they must have some there. 

Okay, enough talking! let's check the pictures and how is made, shall we :

It's sooooo easy to make, all you gotta do is cut the comb and collect all the pieces, rub the edge onto sand paper to get it smooth and stick to the button better.

Using crazy glue stick the stem onto the back side of each buttons, be very careful working with crazy glue!

And double check the button position, you do not want to miss place the stem on the wrong side.

The back side of the flower buttons 

Let the stems rest on the buttons for a long while until the glue dried up. Here's the result :

Never knew they were once buttons huh? 

Here are another results :

I am not done yet with the whole buttons I got today, will finish it up over the weekend!

I hope this give you idea for your weekend project ^__^ have a great weekend y'all ^__^

VERY IMPORTANT NOTES :

• Be very careful working with crazy/super glue, make sure it's completely dry and odorless before using it for your bento. I've read that most of super glue are non toxic when it's dry!!
• Wash it trough! and sanitize it before using by soaking in warm and soapy water then rinse it off troughly.
• Choose the good size of buttons and be aware of choking hazard, talk to your kids and be sure they understand and know what's in their lunch box.
• When you choose the comb, please be aware of the plastic's type, make sure it's a food save kind, such PP or PET, since the stems will be in direct contact with food. But I am pretty sure this should be okay (I've seen some people using combs as a tools/gadget to release some leafy herbs from its stem like cilantro, parsly etc). Needles to say we all know that food picks in general are not microwavable, so do not microwave your food with these kind of picks.
• As for the buttons, I honestly haven't checked the type of plastic of those buttons I've used, but did stumble upon one website and found out that most of buttons manufactures uses the same plastic uses for toothbrush handles, and some kind a kitchen dish etc, so I am okay with this too.
• I also 100% positive that these buttons must be 100% leads free.
• In general, it's really up to you, if you have some concerns or doubt about plastic issues then don't try this, all I am doing right here is just trying to be creative, saving money and having FUN!