How to Make Your Own Magnets

Almost every refrigerator in America is covered with magnets. Each magnet has it's own story behind it. Maybe you got it on a trip, or it's a picture of your favorite animal, or it lists your bank hours. Since each magnet tells a story wouldn't it be fun to make some magnets of your very own? Then you can tell your own story. You can keep it for your refrigerator or make one for a friend.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Strip of magnet
• Card stock
• Markers
• Pictures
• Paint
• Glitter
• Ruler
• Scissors

1. Decide what size magnet you want to make. If you are thinking of a landscape painting you want a bigger size. If you are thinking of a portrait of a person or an animal than you want a smaller magnet.
2. Use a ruler to draw the size you chose on to a piece of card stock.
3. Cut along the lines you drew with a pair of scissors. This is the base of the magnet and everything will go on top of it.
4. If you have a school photo or a cut out picture of your favorite animal, use some glue to paste the picture on to the card stock. Apply the glue on the back of the picture around the edges and a dab in the middle. Then flip the picture back over and carefully press it on to the card stock. Let it dry before continuing.
5. To create a border around the picture you can use paints or markers. A fun thing to do is to use the glue and go around the picture in a pattern (zig zag's) and then sprinkle glitter on the glue. This gives the look of a fancy frame. Shake the excess glitter off gently over a trash can and allow the paint to dry.
6. Cut out a piece of magnet from the strip. Make sure it is a large enough size to hold the picture up. Peel off the paper to reveal the sticky edge and press that on to the back of the card stock. Now you have a magnet.
7. Instead of a portrait create a landscape. You can do this with paints or markers. It helps to have a picture of a landscape that you want to copy. Then just place the picture next to you and paint it on to the card stock. When the paint is wet you can sprinkle on glitter to make the landscape shiny.
8. Follow step #6 to turn your landscape or drawing in to a magnet for your refrigerator.

Tips & Warnings

• Cover the workspace area with newspapers to protect household surfaces.
• Wear an apron or a smock to protect your clothes.
• Your magnet may not stick with just the sticky side. If this happens use a small dab of hot glue from a hot glue gun and it will stick for years.