Homemade Refrigerator Magnets

Glittery Glass Magnets

This tutorial teaches you how to make beautiful glittery glass magnets using a few materials and nail polish you probably have lying around your house.

You can replace the epoxy with super glue, but I prefer the epoxy for its strength. Since the other supplies are usually sold in bulk, you can make dozens of magnets in a small amount of time. These make great gifts, but you'll want to keep a few for yourself!

Approximate Time: 30 minutes (not including drying times)

Yield: 20+

Supplies:

• 1 bag glass mosaic "globes" ($4)
• 1 tube epoxy ($4)
• 1 bottle glitter nail polish ($2)
• 1 bottle solid color nail polish ($2)
• 1 package magnets ($3)

Steps:

1. Paint the back of a glass globe with 2 to 3 coats of glittery nail polish, depending on how much glitter you want.
2. Paint over the glitter nail polish with 3 coats of solid colored nail polish. Let the nail polish completely harden.
3. Mix epoxy. Dab the magnet in the epoxy and attach it to the back of the globe.
4. Let epoxy dry completely before use.

By Felicity H.

Recycling Magnets for Photos

By Kate from Gainesvile, FL

Spring Flower Photo or Note Magnet

Easy and affordable spring refrigerator magnet that holds a note pad or a cherished photo. A darling gift for children to make and give as gifts for Mother's Day or Grandparent's day.

Approximate Time: 20 minutes

Yield: 1

Supplies:

• 1 strong straight piece of magnet
• glue (or hot glue gun with stick)
• 1 clip art flower picture or coloring picture
• 1 stem clip art
• markers
• 1 pair scissors
• 1 clothespin
• ruler or straight edged item
• white or green paper for stem

Steps:

1. Glue the magnet on the back of the clothespin.
2. Color the clothespin with the markers.
3. Make a stem by measuring the clothespin and using a ruler or straight edged object to make lines. Cut out stem and color if necessary.
4. Color and cut out the flower and leaves.
5. Then glue the stem to the bottom edge of the clothespin with the clip part pointing towards you.
6. Now glue on the flower and the leaves so one is on each side of the stem. Allow to dry.
7. Put note paper or photo into clip end of finished flower magnet. Enjoy or give as a gift.

By gem

Making Decorative Magnets

Don't throw away old theme calendars, some of them have thumbnails on the very back page that make perfect fridge magnets. Cut each thumbnail out individually and place on a magnetic sheet (the kind that you buy at the dollar store). If you place them close together you can get a lot of magnets out of one 5 x 7 inch magnet sheet. Great for someone who wants small gifts to enclose as tuck-ins

Source: me, I have done this for years, then I sell them at craft sales for $1 each.

By Leanne from Williams Lake, B.C.

Earring or Brooch Magnets

By Janette from Parkersburg, WV

Craft: Complaint Form Magnet

Approximate Time: 2 hours

Supplies:

• A mini clip board from craft shop
• Your choice of paint and brush
• Scrap paper
• Small felt tip marker
• Strong magnets at least 1/3 inch deep to clear the clip on back.
• E6000 or hot glue gun

Instructions:

Hot glue or E6000 a larger magnet to the back, as it has to clear the clip on the back.

It looks good on the fridge, but can be a real conversation starter for the file cabinet at work, too.

N-JOY!

By Sandi from Yorktown, VA

Craft Project: Seasonal Refrigerator Magnets

Approximate Time: 10 minutes

Supplies:

• advertising magnets or thin sheet of magnet
• fabric or cardstock for holiday decor
• tacky glue
• fusible web or spray glue
• heavy scissors
• iron
• seed beads
• glitter
• yarn
• cardboard for pattern
• pencil
• patterns or draw your own

Instructions:

1. Either draw your patterns (you could print out the photo for my patterns): Easter eggs, shamrocks, elf hats, pot of gold, fire crackers, Uncle Sam hat, turkey, pumpkin, fall leaves, jack-o-lantern, black cat, ghosts, you get the idea. Anything will work just make sure you have the fabric or cardstock to match the character.

   Perhaps you want to put a child's face on a magnet. No matter what shape you are making the directions from here on out are the same.

2. You can use spray adhesive instead of fusible web, it works wonderfully and no one will get burned. It is a little messy, but if you lay paper out and spray the sheet of magnet, apply fabric, let it dry and then cut out your shape it isn't bad. You will then trace your pattern on your magnet with ink and cut inside your line.

3. Cut out his or her face, or what ever shape you are working with. Trace it onto the fusible web and cut it out leaving about 1/4 inch around the pattern. Fuse this to the wrong side of your fabric; cut out on the lines. Now peel the paper off and fuse to a magnet. Be careful if your magnet has writing on it, place paper towel between your iron and the magnet. Remember it doesn't take, but a few seconds to fuse the web. After you get it all fused together, cut out the shape and you are ready to decorate.

4. Using your tacky glue draw lines and apply your beads, yarn, glitter, or whatever. If you use glitter you will want to seal it after it is dry with a couple of coats of thinned tacky glue or it will continue to shed. Use fabric pens, but be sure to test them of fabric before using on your magnets some pens spread and you don't want to ruin your child's work.

Note: Don't glue on large beads or rocks as the magnets aren't strong enough to hold them.

Make a set for each holiday and you can change them with the seasons.

By Ann from Loup City, NE

Mouse Refrigerator Magnet

Approximate Time: About 20 minutes

Supplies:

• piece of yellow or orange sponge (2x3x1 inch) for cheese
• half a walnut shell for mouse body
• scrap of brown felt for ears
• rubber band for tail
• tiny black bead for nose
• two purchased eyes
• magnet strip, about 1 inch square
• scissors
• glue gun

Instructions:

1. Cut sponge into wedge about 2 inches at widest end and about 3 inches long by 1 inch deep.
2. Glue eyes to pointed end of walnut shell.
3. Cut scraps of felt for ears. To make ears stand up, pinch together at square end and glue. Glue ears onto shell just behind eyes.
4. Cut rubber band in half. Glue mouse to cheese, attach rubber band tail.
5. Glue black bead right at the tip of the nose.
6. Glue a magnet strip along one side of cheese and stick to fridge. EEK!

By preserver from Manitoba

Clothes Pin Refrigerator Magnets

Craft: Decorative Gift Magnets

Decorative Gift Magnets

Note: Flat magnets come in all shapes, but mostly they are strips. Stay away from the rolled kind, as they are hard to flatten out. I get the discs when I can, as they are stronger. You can often find both at the dollar trees', but if you get the strips, make sure to test them on the metal first. Some have a small groove down the middle of the magnet, and that either indicates the strong or the weak side. The ones I use are weaker on that side, so I just remember "when in doubt, the groove is out" and then I don't forget.

During the seasons, DT's often have little "fimo style" plastic ornaments that are flat and make perfect pins or magnets. Other ideas for magnets are:

• Fancy Buttons
• Small Frames
• Thimbles
• Miniatures like dishes, pots and pans or mirrors from doll houses
• Little critters like teddies and bunnies
• Old costume jewelry
• Legos or small toys
• Dice or Game pieces
• Mini salt and pepper sets

You will need:

• The magnets of your choice
• Tacky glue or
• E600 glue (recommended if the magnet is heavy or slick plastic)
• Tape and scissors, (if it's paper and cardboard)

Have Fun!!

By Sandra from Salem, OR

Photo Refrigerator Magnets - New Use for Advertising Magnets

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Craft Project: Bumble Bee Magnet

Approximate Time:

Supplies:

• Plastic spoons
• Plaster of Paris
• Round magnets
• Yellow and Black Paint
• Paint Brush
• Yellow and Black Craft Foam
• Googly eyes
• Glue
• Black Pipe Cleaner

Instructions:

Mix the plaster of paris according to the directions on the box. Pour the mix into each of the plastic spoons.

Place a round magnet into each spoon of plaster and allow to dry. I let mine dry overnight.

Remove mold from spoon and paint entire front yellow. Allow to dry, then add black stripes.

Cut out wings from the yellow craft foam and glue to the sides of the bee. I used hot glue, but other glue may work as well.

Cut out a head from the black craft foam and glue to the top of the bee.

Glue on googly eyes and black pipe cleaner antennas. Allow all to dry.

Proudly hang on your refrigerator for everyone to buzz about!

By Jayme from Harrisonburg, VA

Poinsettia Magnets

Materials and Equipment:

• a large plastic bag or several sheets of newspaper
• a sheet of red construction or cardstock paper, standard size
• a sheet of green construction or cardstock paper, standard size
• a sheet of plain paper, standard size
• three small yellow beads
• one small magnet (I use rare earth magnets as they are very strong and hold items onto the fridge tightly)
• scissors
• craft glue
• glue spreader or Q-tip
• a lid from a used plastic container (such as a yogurt container)
• a pencil
• an eraser

Instructions:

1. Before starting, clear the table and cover it with newspaper or a large garbage bag to avoid getting glue on the table.
2. Using the photos as a guide, trace out a five-point star on a plain sheet of paper with a pencil. The star should be about four inches in diameter. Each point on the star should be curved in the shape of a leaf. Once you are happy with your design, cut it out. It will be used as a template to create your poinsettia.
3. Place your template on the green construction or cardstock paper and trace its outline in pencil. Cut along the outline. Erase any pencils lines that are still visible and set this form aside.
4. Repeat step three. You should now have two identical green stars.
5. Repeat step three again with the red construction paper, only this time, once you have cut out the shape, cut around the perimeter again, making the star shape slightly smaller than the previous one. If your green stars are about four inches in diameter, this red one should be three inches in diameter.
6. Repeat step three again with the red construction paper. Again, once you have cut out the shape, cut around the perimeter, making the star shape slightly smaller than the previous red one, about two inches in diameter.
7. Take each one of your star forms and bend each point or leaf in half, then open each leaf again. They should now all have a slight bend and no longer look completely flat.
8. Pour a small puddle of craft glue onto the plastic container lid. Spread a thin layer of glue onto the center of the back of one of the green stars. Place this green star on top of the other green star so that the leaves or points are staggered and not overlapping (see photo). The creased side of the stars should be facing upwards (see photo). Press the star with the glue on the back on top of the other green star. Hold until stuck.
9. Spread glue on the back of the larger red star and press onto the front of the uppermost green star. The red star should be oriented so that its points fall between those of the green star and don't overlap.
10. Spread glue on the back of the smaller red star and press it onto the front of the larger red star. The red star should be oriented so that its points fall between those of the other red star and don't overlap.
11. You should now have four staggered stars (two green and two red) glued on top of each other. Next, glue your three yellow beads onto the center of the uppermost star to act as stamens for your poinsettia.
12. Spread glue on the back of the magnet and press it onto the back of your poinsettia. Allow to dry completely.
13. Make a few more magnets and decorate you fridge with these cheerful Christmas flowers.

By Christine Weber

Plastic Canvas Letter Magnets

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Caterpillar Magnets

You will need:

• eucalyptus leaves
• 'fridge magnets (many businesses give them away, but you can, if REALLY stumped, actually buy them)
• tiny, sparkly craft pom-poms
• top quality contact adhesive
• craft eyes

Instructions:

1. Glue a strip of magnet on to the leaf first. Let it dry.
2. On the other side, glue a crooked, but touching, line of alternating colour pompoms (you can see why they have to be little!).
3. On the end one, place two of the wiggly eyes.
4. If you are really clever, you may work out a way to get an indentation mark on the leaf, as though your new caterpillar has been eating!

By Leonie from Warrnambool, Victoria, Australia

Making Decorative Magnets

Decoupaging Fridge Magnets

Happy Flower Face Magnets

Approximate Time 10 minutes without drying time

Supplies:

• 1 and 1/2 inch blue foam circle
• 1/2 inch pink foam circle
• 1/4 inch big pair of googly eyes
• 9-12 inch orange chenille stem
• 9-12 inch violet chenille stem
• small fridge magnet
• child-safe glue

Instructions:

1. Have child glue two googly eyes on the large blue circle.
2. Cut the pink circle in half, and glue one part below the eyes to create a mouth.
3. Let dry before continuing, or the child may become frustrated by the eyes and mouth sliding all over the blue face.
4. While the face is drying, have child cut 3 pieces from orange chenille stem, each three inches long. Repeat with violet stem. If child is young, have an adult do the cutting.
5. Have child loop each piece around, twisting the very bottom together. This creates the petals.
6. Now let child glue the petals to the back of the blue circle, spreading them evenly and interchanging the colors.
7. Glue the magnet where all the stems meet at the back of the circle. Let dry.
8. Let child place the magnet on the fridge and enjoy their cute artwork!

By Aysha from Boise, ID

Making Photo Magnets

Create Your Own Magnets