Magnets - Another Quick and Easy Gift Idea

These magnets are all over blog land and with good reason - quick, easy, inexpensive and look like the ones you find in chi-chi gift stores.   The glass mimics a magnifying glass, making the images even more impressive and the technique is very forgiving.

You  make these from supplies you probably have - artist papers, glue and glass marbles.  I found the glass pieces at The Dollar Tree - Michaels, Joanne's and Hobby Lobby were all out of the clear ones.  Apparently everyone else already made their magnets!

There really isn't much to this project.  Select papers with an element you want to emphasize.  Look at your stash of papers with an eye towards small details.  I also stamped some - green lady at the bottom and script above it.  I found that heavier weight (scrapbook style) works better than thinner paper like wrapping paper which tended to wrinkle more.  Papers printed on both sides have the added bonus of making the back of the magnet look better if these things matter to you.  Check your stash of previously stamped images or bits of paper - here's a perfect time to use them.

Then cut out the circles of areas you've selected.  I thought this would be easy, using my 1 inch paper punch.  It would have been, except the glass pieces were and inch and a half!  So I just drew around the glass piece and cut the circles out by hand. 

Now spread glue onto the flat side of your glass piece.  I like using Aleen's Paper Glaze with its narrow tip applicator that you can use to smooch the glue all over.  You want to completely cover the glass.  Then lay your cut-out circle (face down) onto the glue and slide it around to cover it with glue and to push out any little air bubbles.  (I did get a few with some small bubbles - sort of makes it look like hand-blown glass, so not to worry!).  Once dried, trim away any paper that extends over the edge.  Oh, and try not to get glue on the front of the glass - it is very had to remove.  (Don't ask me how I know this!)

Glue a magnet to the back and you're finished. 

You could make these tonight, but you probably should just have a glass of eggnog and file this away for next year or a less-crazy gift-giving future event!