With Earth Day right around the corner, now is a good time to give items a second look before you toss them in the trash. Could that empty plastic milk container be transformed into a pretty vase? What about Junior’s ripped shirt? Before you dump it, remove the buttons and repurpose them. Buttons make great accents on scrapbook layouts and work wonders on craft projects.
Just last week one of my favorite magnets broke. It was a ceramic Humuhumunukunukuapua’a—the state fish of Hawaii. I got it the last time we were visiting my parents. Unfortunately, the fish’s body shattered and I couldn’t glue it back together. However, rather than pitch the entire thing, I removed the black magnetic strip and recycled it.
Making homemade magnets is simple and very affordable, especially if you follow these directions:
Cookie Cutter Magnets
Materials:
- Two cups flour
- 1/2 cup salt
- 3/4 cup hot water
- Cookie cutters
- Acrylic paint
- Paint brush
- Magnet strips
- Craft glue
Directions:
- Combine the first three ingredients; mix well.
- When the dough is set, roll it out and use the cookie cutters to cut them into shapes.
- Microwave the dough shapes for three minutes.
- Remove from the microwave, let them cool a bit, and then paint them.
- When the paint is dry, glue the magnets to the back.
- Let the glue dry thoroughly before using the magnets.
Clothespin Magnets
Materials:
- Acrylic paint
- Foam paint brush
- Wood craft stick
- Three clothespins with springs
- Craft glue
- Magnetic strip
Directions:
- Paint the craft stick in the desired color or colors.
- Paint the clothespins.
- Once the paint is dry, glue the clothespins onto the craft stick. They should be evenly spaced across the width of the stick.
- Glue the magnetic strip to the back of the craft stick.
- Clip papers or art work to the clothespins and stick the magnet on the refrigerator or metal file cabinet.