How to Make Butterfly Magnets

Everyone loves those colorful and whimsical magnets that adorn the refridgerator at home. They are perfect for holding those "not to forget notes," pictures of family, recipies, cards, cute sayings, etc. Why not make your very own colorful butterfly magnet? Once you learn how to make this, you can have fun creating other beautiful magnets. These are so pretty that they not only look great on your refridgerator, but people love to get them as gifts too!

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Clear empty plastic 2 liter bottle
• Scissors
• Black marker paint pen
• Fabric paint (any color) I like to outline the butterfly with a gun metal gray paint that looks like lead for leaded glass
• Stain glass paint (I use the paint for children that come in a packet of several colors and is more economical than individual glass paint)
• Fine powdered glitter (found in craft stores)
• package of small round magnets found in craft stores)
• Jewelry glue

1. This is a great recycle project and the results are beautiful! Wash a 2 liter bottle. Dry. Cut off the top of bottle about 3 inches from the top. Cut down the center. Stop at about 1-2 inches before you get to bottom of bottle. Cut all the way around bottle and discard the excess.

2. Cut the clear plastic in half. This will make 2 butterflies. Take a paint pen and outline a butterfly on the plastic. If you are not good at freehand, then use a pattern and place it under the plastic and trace the butterfly on top of the plastic. Use you gray paint and outline the butterfly. Let dry. Once dry, paint it with stain glass paints. Try different colors. Right before the paint is dry, sprinkle a little fine powder sparkle dust (found in craft stores) on the butterfly to give it a shimmer. Use a fabric paint for the eyes and antenna. If you want to get really creative, try using floral wire for the antenna and attach with jewelry glue.

3. Once dry, bend the butterfly in half to create a little fold. Glue a magnet on the underside with jewelry glue and you are ready to find your butterfly a home on the refrigerator amidst the other family of magnets that make you smile.

Tips & Warnings

• The bottle will tend to curl, so cutting it in half before you begin the project will help.
• If you are not good at free hand, find a pattern of a butterfly and use it to copy onto your plastic piece.
• The paint will have a tendency to run. Make sure you do not use a lot at first. 2 coats will work, so don't try to get it all on the first time.
• A small fan can be used to expedite the drying time
• Read directions on all paints and other materials used to make butterflies. Make sure to wear something that you don't mind getting paint on.