More Pretty Magnets

You're probably thinking 'Magnets, didn't she just write a post on those a couple of days ago?' - well yes, I did, and the sad truth is that I really am nutty enough to be testing all metallic surfaces in my house to see which are magnetic and need something pretty stuck to them!

Only this time I'm doing a little magnet post with a difference; it's my very first tutorial!  I haven't posted a tutorial as yet, mainly as I've had a little stage fright on that score having seen some truly fantastic ones on other blogs and also; I don't want to teach you crafty lot to suck eggs.  Still, I liked these and fancied sharing:

First thing you need: glass nuggets.  Where I grew up they were know as 'Lucky' nuggets, everywhere else however they're just glass nuggets.  These are large in size and about 4cm across.

Next choose your background, I chose some pretty scrap craft papers I had kicking around but you could use anything you fancy utilising; sheet music, old books, tin foil, magazine pages.

Choose which part of the paper you want to show under the glass and draw around your nugget (not something that comes up in everyday conversation, drawing around your nuggets!)

Coat the flat side in glue, I'm using Mod Podge as it seems to work with almost anything but I'm sure standard PVA would do the job just as well.

Take your nugget-shaped cut out and press gently onto the glue coated nugget, smoothing it gently flat and making sure it is clinging to the glue properly.  Then 'seal' the back of the paper you've used with a relatively thick coat of glue paying special attention to where the edges of the paper meet the glass.  Leave to dry an hour or so and then apply another coat, I did three coats on the back altogether as I had visions of the paper coming away from the magnet and thought that would be a little depressing!

Once the back is dry whip out the super glue and attach your magnets, since the glass pebbles themselves are fairly heavy you do need strong ones.

Et voila, they're ready to stick to the fridge, or the washer, or the radiator, or the door plate . . . . 

My other half is a techie and often has spare parts of defunct Apple computers lying around, I've pinched the back casing of an old iMac to use as a pretty noticeboard (noticeboard conundrum now solved!).  I'm a huge fan of repurposing and recycling, it is make do and mend for the 21st century and is one of the ways I like to be green.  The funny thing is that I get a buzz from using odd things for mundane purposes that I wouldn't get from something fresh out of the wrapper - not that it stops me shopping though.

So now I've polished my repurposing, recycling halo I'm away to make tea and toast!  Hope you're all having a lovely, relaxing Sunday,

Jem xXx

Linking to Debbie Doos Newbie Party, Sunday Showcase Party, Craft-O-Maniac Monday, Making The World Cuter Monday, Made By You Monday