Clay Beetle Magnets

I was recently sorting through my craft room (a tricky but rewarding task!) which reminded me about the large tub of air dry clay I have, which I'd like to use more of. Somehow I came up with the idea to make some bug magnets, specifically beetles, as I also unearthed a few little blank magnets.

Projects where I don't have to go out and buy anything new are the best.

To make the magnets I started by shaping the clay. I rolled a piece into an oval which I cut in half to make two beetles, each with a flat side and a curved side.

I added detailed on the front, including sticking some extra bits of clay on for the head. I also pressed the magnet into the back of the clay to leave an imprint to show where I would later glue it.

I used black coated wire for the arms and legs which I pushed through the clay. This was a bit tricky as the wire didn't always come out the other side where I wanted it, so it often took a few tries.

I gave the clay a couple of days to dry and then painted it completely with black acrylic paint.

Then it was time to add colour. Using nail varnish was the perfect thing for this project as I think the metallic, shimmery colours really look like the colours of a beetle.

I got out my nail varnish stash and picked out a couple of matching colours. I used the in-built brush to paint directly on top of the black paint, starting with the darker colour and adding highlights with the lighter one.

After the nail varnish had tried I used Gorilla super glue to stick the magnet to the back of the clay.

I'm really pleased with how they turned out. I think they look great! And, aside from the time it takes for the clay dry out, this is quite a quick project which is always a bonus.

Colour Me Magnets

I've been busy preparing for Christmas craft fairs next month and adding stock to my Etsy shop. One of the things I've been working on is these colour in magnets. If you've been reading my blog for a while you may remember these cupcake magnets. I've decided to bring them back and add some new designs to the range.

I wanted to make a set of colour in magnets that might appeal to both girls and boys so I created these monster magnets. These were really fun to design as there were no limitations at all. I could draw as many eyes, arms and legs as I wanted.

I also created some Christmas jumper designs as the festive season will be here before we know it! These were also really fun to make just because I love Christmas so much.

The magnets are printed on matte magnetic paper and cut out by hand. Felt tip pens are the best thing to colour them in with. I love the bright colours.

I created packaging for the magnet sets which I think really shows them off. I've added these new sets to my Etsy shop so if you've already started thinking about Christmas presents, or you just like colouring in, please check them out.

Photo Magnets

I love the look of Stickygrams, the little magnets you can get printed of your Instagram photos, so I decided to make some as part of my Secret Santa present for my friend. I made them because Laura doesn't have Instagram and because I have printable magnetic paper.

I started by picking out photos of Laura and her boyfriend, her sisters and her friends. Then I edited them and made them all squares, then I printed them on to the magnetic paper. 

I cut the out using a craft knife, leaving a little white border around each photo.

I miraculously found a cellophane packet from a greetings card which fit the 9 magnets in exactly.

I mean exactly!

Laura loved them! Except it turns out her fridge isn't magnetic because it's built into a cupboard, Doh! But she's going to put them on the side of her microwave or a radiator instead.

Colour Me Magnets

I have a new thing that I made and am really excited about!

Magnets that you colour in!

I love colouring in!

I've used the same magnetic paper that I made the gangsta words with, and it turns out felt tip pens draw splendidly on it.

So far I have two sets; cupcakes and teacups.

If they take off then I'll make more. I'm thinking dinosaurs...

I'm really proud of the packaging too.

I now want to print on everything other than plain white copy paper.

These magnets are of course available from my Etsy shop; cupcakes and teacups.

Magnets, yo

For Christmas my sister got me a couple of packets of magnetic photo paper.

Who knew such a thing existed? 

The first way I decided to use it was to make a set of words to stick on my locker and have fun making different phrases.

As you might know I'm kind of a gangsta, so this is a set of gangsta words!

This is how I talk, yo.

I think I need to print out some more words, because I forgot vital ones like 'and'.

Not cool L-Dawg.

I can also use the words to label my photos...

...and my other magnets.

Magnetic plate

I got this great idea from The Mother Huddle.

Take one pretty little plate.

My sister found this one for me in a charity shop for £1.

Glue some magnets to the bottom.

Add some felt over the top.

And hey presto; magnetic hair grip holder.

The Mother Huddle used hers to keep pins on (and make sure you check out the original tutorial) but I'm always finding my hair clips everywhere so I thought this might help keep them in one place.

Oh internet, you come up with the best ideas.

Decorative tape magnets

I saw this great tutorial on Twirly Betty for making washi tape magnets and decided to make some for the front of my locker. I definitely recommend checking out the tutorial.

I don't have any washi tape, and I thought regular masking tape would be a bit boring, but luckily the magnetic sheets I have are self-adhesive so I used decorative paper and made it look like tape.

I stuck on strips of paper to the magnetic sheets and cut out strips of that, and then cut the edges to be all jagged like real tape.

I couldn't stop as just one lot though. It's so easy so I made a couple of different sorts with different papers.