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DIY Glass Magnets (The alternative to gift cards!)


Nothing says "I have absolutely no idea what to get you" like the gift of magnets.  You know?  But if they're homemade it's somehow legit.  I love to use the word legit.  I'm just too legit to quit.  I crack myself up.

Magnets 007


This whole craft came about when I found some lovely large-ish sized flat-bottomed glass gems at the Dollar Tree.  They're meant to be used as a vase filler, but there's so rules so let's make some magnets!  I thought I was brilliant as my mind raced with the possibilities of a new craft--only to come home see a similar project while perusing How About Orange.  It burst my crafty bubble, y'all.  Whatevs.  Great minds think alike.

On with the show...

To do this lovely craft, you'll need:
Flat-bottomed glass gems (the kind for filling vases with; I found mine at the Dollar Tree)
Scrapbook paper you love
Mod Podge
Paintbrush
Magnets (strong ones since the glass gems are heavy)
Gorilla Glue
Clamps

First of all, you'll want to roll a gem over your scrapbook paper in order to find a design that's suitable for a magnet.  Patterns are fun, but I have been holding on to this paper for months in hopes of the perfect project 'cause I love the cute kitchen objects.  This is the perfect use of this paper.  (I purchased it at Jo-Ann Fabric and it's still available there if you want it, too!)

DIY Glass Magnets

Then cut out your design to fit the bottom of the glass gem.  Trace if you need to.  (I needed to.)

Apply a thin layer of Mod Podge to the flat side of the glass gem and affix your paper.  Let it dry.  (Duh.)


DIY Glass Magnets

Apply Gorilla Glue to back of gem and add your magnet.  Then clamp it per Gorilla Glue instructions. (Initially I tried to do this part with hot glue.  Fail!  The hot glue is not strong enough and it will just detach from the magnet at the first sign of stress.)


DIY Glass Magnets

If you don't have clamps, you can use a clothespin, though I'll admit, it takes a lot more finesse.  Plus it feels better to use manly tools like clamps when crafting.  Don't you agree?

Clamping glass magnet with gorilla glue


So, keep some of these simple little magnet sets on hand for those "I have no idea what to give you!" occasions that are sure to pop up.

Magnets 007


Isn't the theme of these magnets perfect for a kitchen??


A friend from church shared a yummy recipe with me that I can't wait to try.  It's on the fridge with one of my new magnets.


Keep your eyes peeled this week for a few more magnet crafts. I'm kind of on a kick.

Tristin Signature

41 comments:

  1. So cute! I will be making these when I get home :) Thanks for the great tutorial!

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  2. cute!!!! Thanks for the tutorial!

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  3. I have seen these before. But, didn't know what the "glass" part was made of...thanks!

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  4. Just wanted you to know I tried your tutorial!
    http://threeyearsofdeath.blogspot.com/2011/04/glass-magnets.html

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  5. Where did you find the magnets?

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  6. i made magnet boards for christmas gifts and made magnets like these to match, i just got cheap magnets at walmart and used a glue called e-6000 and i didnt have to use a clamp or anything. and all the magnets are holdin up good still :)

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  7. This tutorial will be linked on Monday from bellakates.blogspot.com Thanks for the tutorial!! Love the blog!

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  8. I'm thinking this could be a great low-cost magnetic alphabet solution... Use a magnet for each letter, throw them on the fridge or a baking sheet, and let the kiddos go alphabet wild!

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  9. These are great and I love the paper you have used underneath. They'd look good with a flower/heart themed paper - then stuck onto guest settings for a wedding feast.

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  10. I could kiss you!! Ive been wanting to make magnets like these for a while but kept running around like a dufus trying to figure out what I could use as a pretty glass-like cover. Ive tried Epoxy resin and.. it didnt turn out so well.

    I love this idea, I never thought about using those filler gems! I have some laying around, Ill have to go dig them up. Thank you, thank you!

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  11. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  12. These are so fun! Love the designs you chose :D

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  13. So cute! I've seen these many times before, but I love your spin on them and the little tips (like using Gorilla Glue and clamping) make a huge difference. Thanks!!

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  14. Good to meet you girls!I really loved this idea and I'm sooo ready to do it myself!I'll let you know about the results!thanks for all those great ideas!
    regards from Greece!
    Angie

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  15. @ Courtneychristensen: I made some of these last winter and had the same thought for the alphabet. BUT PLEASE keep in mind that they are the perfectly sized choking hazard. AND (the thought that scares me even more actually) if a child managed to swallow two of the magnets, they can actually be in two different places in the child's intestines and still come together magnetically. A certain toy was recalled because it's magnets came off and several kids had this happen, resulting in huge problems with their intestines, "cut 'em wide open and dig the thing out" type surgeries, and one kid may have actually died from the complications. I'm totally not sure about the kid dying, but the other things are bad enough for me to forget about the alphabet idea and keep my uber cute magnets way up top and out of reach.

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  16. What a clever idea! I featured your post on my site today. Thanks!!
    http://www.oliveandlove.com/2011/08/kids-crafts-glass-magnets.html

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  17. These magnets turned out to be so cute! I made some using fabric instead of scrapbook paper and posted them on my blog. Thanks so much for the great idea!

    http://madebymcm.blogspot.com/2011/08/mod-podge-magnets.html

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  18. Thank you so much for sharing! I was able to do this spending... $0.00. I had all the items already in my home already. I can't wait to share on my blog. Thank you again, love the idea!

    Candace
    http://moosenmelts.blogspot.com/

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  19. love them too! www.vallys-creations.gr

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  20. I love the way they look, and yet so easy to make. Thanks for the inspiration!

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  21. Love this! I'll be including it this weekend in a little handmade gift idea roundup. Thanks so much!

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  22. Unique idea always change the attention of all the viewers,You choose a different but aggressive idea!!!!!
    plastic gift card
    discount card printing

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  23. You know those index prints you get when you order photos that has all your prints on one photo sheet but extra tiny? Well, I just made a whole set of these magnets using those index prints from my newborn's photo shoot. They turned out awesome! Thanks for the idea to use the vase gems.

    -Shellie

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  24. Love, love, love this... I will definitely be doing this with my husband... we're both retired now and able to do so many more things than before. Thanks so much gals!

    Please visit sometime! I would have loved to have PINNED this but there's nothing here to do that...

    http://conversationswithcarolyn.blogspot.com/

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  25. I made a whole ton like this for everyone for Christmas this year after seeing them often enough in a little paper goods store near us. My Mom has been taking photos like crazy lately so I opened Microsoft Word, inserted many, many, many of her photos and had a stone at my desk so I could shrink them down. She loved them!!

    I have found that it works well to leave the paper larger than the stone (for Mom's pictures I spaced about 24 pictures on each page and left it all uncut to begin with) Then after I mod podge the stones, put them on the pictures, I usually flip the paper over (mod podge is wonderfully strong!) to let the air at it more. Then I cut straight between the rows of photos and then use my small scissors to trim around the edge of the stones holding them at a slight angle. Makes it fit perfect every time.

    Like Amanda I get my magnets from Walmart (helps that my husband gets an employee discount) and I haven't had a problem yet with the hot glue. I'm kind of curious to try the Gorilla Glue though.

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  26. It's really different idea...but this is very interesting, marvelous work...thanks you share it..Plastic cards!!!!!!!!

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  27. I love the design, perfect for the fridge.

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  28. I have learnt various good stuff right here, and I’m sure everyone will get advantage of it. barrettsgroup.net

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  29. Hi Tristin:

    This is such a creative idea! We just featured it on our blog for "Inspire Your Heart with Art Day" today: http://bit.ly/DIYart

    Thanks!

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  30. All the ideas which you have mention, are really very grateful the things which you have given are very unique and it can help me in creating new ideas... :-)

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  31. I tried the E-6000 glue (for glass, etc). but it soaked through the paper I had printed my photos on, so I had to start all over :-( . Just need a glue that won't bleed through the paper you print on

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  32. Amazing post!!!! Me getting great knowledge after reading this blog so I am crazy for this and I want discuss this between our friends unique christmas cards.


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  37. Thanks for sharing,
    Gift shopping is more than just finding the perfect item; it's an opportunity to express love, appreciation, and thoughtfulness to the special people in our lives.

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