How to Make Free-form Glass Magnets

Create a magnet using basic stained-glass techniques.

Techniques used to make free-form glass magnets include decoupage, stained glass and fused glass. Stained glass and fused glass require special tools such as a glass cutter, glass grinder, soldering iron and glass-fusing kiln for completion. Creating a magnet is a way to use up scrap glass from other fused or stained-glass projects. In each case, a magnet is glued to the back of a glass object; so high-quality craft glue is important to create a magnet that will last, though some magnets are available with a self-adhesive backing.

Things You'll Need

• Magnet with self-adhesive backing or craft glue
• Clean rags or paper towels
• Glass nuggets
• Pen or pencil
• Decorative paper
• Scissors
• Safety glasses
• Glass cutter
• Glass pliers
• Stained glass (all with the same coefficient of expansion)
• Kiln paper
• Glass kiln
• Marker
• Glass grinder
• Copper foil
• Burnishing tool
• Flux
• Flux brush
• Solder or lead-free solder
• Soldering iron

Instructions

Decoupage

1. Clean the glass nuggets in soap and water and dry them thoroughly.

2. Trace around the glass nuggets on the decorative paper.

3. Cut the shape from the decorative paper.

4. Glue the piece of decorative paper to the back of the glass nugget so the design of the paper shows through on the front. Smooth the paper onto the glass, pressing out all air bubbles. Allow the glue to dry.

5. Glue the magnet to the back of the glass nugget.

Fused Glass

1. Cut a piece of kiln paper and set it on the kiln's shelf.

2. Cut pieces of glass of the same coefficient of expansion and set them on the kiln shelf on top of the kiln paper in any shape you wish.

3. Turn on the glass kiln and set it to fuse the glass as per the manufacturer's instructions.

4. Allow the fused glass to cool fully, then remove it from the kiln and wash it.

5. Glue a magnet to the back of the fused glass piece.

Stained Glass

1. Cut pieces of stained glass into a small pattern that is an ideal size for a magnet; this can be one piece or several pieces that fit together. Opaque glass is best to use as a magnet since you can't see through it, unless you plan to glue a paper design to the back side, as in the decoupage magnet project.

2. Grind the edges to smooth and shape them. Clean off any accumulated glass dust by rinsing the pieces in water and then drying them.

3. Wrap copper foil around the edges, lining it up so that equal amounts wrap around onto each side of the glass.

4. Smooth the copper foil firmly onto the glass with the burnishing tool.

5. Brush flux on the copper foil and apply a layer of solder using the soldering iron. Once a thin layer is applied, go over it again and melt enough solder to form a rounded line along each seam. Repeat this process on the back side. Allow the glass and solder to cool.

6. Clean the glass with soap and water and dry it thoroughly.

7. Glue a magnet to the back of the stained-glass shape.

Tips & Warnings

• Always wear safety glasses when cutting and grinding glass, and solder in a well-ventilated area.

References

• Craft Supplies for Less: How to Make Bubble Magnets
• Wholesalers USA Inc.: Crafting Project Series -- Refrigerator Magnets
• Glass Fusing Made Easy: Home Page
• Art of Stained Glass: Home Page