Making Magnetic Art

We have all seen cute creative magnets when shopping and thought, well, yes...it is only $1.49 but do I really need this? So, here is a solution for $1.00 or less. Making magnets is creative and fun and allows us to focus on subjects we choose. Some suggestions are: school photos, snapshots, vacation mementos, materials from magazines and books, small drawings of pets friends and family members, feathers, fabrics, pebbles, odd puzzle and game pieces that have long lost their box, broken jewelry, sea shells, "dots" in white or colors from your hole puncher, dried flowers and leaves, food labels, broken toy parts, hard pastas, little gears, pipe cleaners, and so many more. And don't forget-magnets don't always have to be small and cute!

You can also create photo frames, note pads, checklists, flip books, etc. Choose your project and decide if you will be working alone or not. This is a wonderful project to do with kids of most ages, teams, scouts, friends, family, or even as a business venture. Adults will enjoy this project as well and have the option to make magnets based on adult topics if they wish such a private jokes, politics, risqué humor, and comics . Once you have made your decisions make a list of the supplies you will need or may want to purchase at your local craft or department store. Don't forget you will need fairly light-weight materials unless you plan to buy heavy duty magnets! Gather pencils, pens, your stash of odds and ends, a suitable adhesive (hot glue is fast and easy but remember-it is dangerously hot!! and can cause severe burns), scissors, eraser, markers, ruler...and don't forget to protect your work surface with paper or plastic until you clean up. Magnets are inexpensive and come in various sizes and strengths but I prefer to use the "sheet style" that my doctors office, dentist, humane society, and various other advertisers hand out to promote their business. They are free after all! So-let the fun begin.

Decide what size you want your magnet to be and what items you will incorporate into your scheme. I have found that it is easier to make a model of what you want your project to look like on a flat surface and when it is ready then carefully turn the entire surface over with your objects aligned making a reverse (obviously easier with flat items) of your image; everything will be backwards but that is okay. The now top layer was your previous bottom layer. Now you can begin to assemble your items on your magnetic surface in reverse form (meaning bottom to top). By using your model you will be able to layer your work and when you run out of pieces and it is all glued together you will have the design you created. Don't forget that you can now embellish your magnet if you like with paint, glitter, gloss varnish, little gems, cookie fortunes,etc. Remember-sometimes less is more! You may be perfectly content with using a scappy corner of your favorite wrapping paper or an interesting piece of fabric and that is all. Flatten it out or scrunch it up and glue it on and let it dry-embellish or not. Voile! And for those of you who prefer not to work from a model-throw caution to the wind and glue up a storm! You may surprised at what an amazing creation you have wrought!