Pull up on the string to make this performer zip along.

Materials

• Round wooden clothespin
• Acrylic paint and brush
• 18-inch-long piece of 18- to 20-gauge cloth-covered floral wire (available at craft stores)
• 2 pennies
• Card stock and tacky glue (optional)

• Scissors
• Pipe cleaner
• Straw or cocktail umbrella
• Fishing line

Instructions

1. Paint a face and any clothing you like on the clothespin. Let it dry for about 15 minutes.

2. Lay the acrobat facedown over the midpoint of the floral wire. Wrap the wire around the lower half of the clothespin, twisting it together in the back like a twist tie. Bring the ends back toward the front of the clothespin and extend them down each side as shown. Wrap each tip around a penny. (The added weight helps with balance.)

3. Glue on any card stock clothing you like, such as a bow tie or a skirt.

4. Cut an 8-inch-long piece of pipe cleaner. Lay the clothespin facedown over its midpoint and wrap it around the clothespin, twisting it together in the back. Bring the ends forward again to serve as arms and then wrap the tip(s) around the straw or the umbrella. Finally, glue the remaining piece of pipe cleaner around the head for hair.

5. Tie one end of the fishing line to a secure object, about chest-high. Thread the line through the tightrope walker's wooden legs. Now, holding it taut, raise and lower the line to make the performer slide back and forth. (Adjust the position of the floral wire if your acrobat doesn't balance the first time out.)

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