DIY: Cute as a Button Magnets
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A how-to that brightens up your fridge and makes a sweet gift!
photos: rachel for we heart this
Looking for a quick, inexpensive, craft that makes a fabulous gift? These sweet, little magnets are a fantastic DIY last-minute present for a friend, or thank-you gift for your kid’s teachers. You may want to keep some for yourself to brighten up your fridge.
Supplies:
• Buttons
• Super-glue
• Magnets
• Self-adhesive plastic gems (optional)
Common sense tip: Buttons are beautiful little choking hazards. Magnets are especially dangerous when swallowed. Keep these supplies away from children who have a tendency to put objects in their mouth.
Directions:
1. Select your button combinations. Experiment with different color combinations, in a variety of sizes, with your buttons.
Tip: It is possible to use buttons with shanks on the back, however, I have found that some snap off easily with pliers, while others do not.
2. Start stacking! Small, medium, and large is a great place to start. Feel free to stack even higher if it suits your artistic creation.
3. Once you have determined your design, apply a small amount of super glue to the back of the top button. It is best to avoid applying glue on the button-holes – a glue ring around the button-holes keeps glue from seeping through, and making a sticky mess. Because some buttons are curved, rather than flat, you may need to hold buttons together for a few seconds, insuring a solid bond.
4. Proceed by gluing your middle button to the bottom button.
5. Turn the stack upside down and super-glue a magnet to the center of the back. Easy peasy.
Tip: You can easily find ceramic disc magnets at your local craft supply store. You can also use Rare Earth Disc Magnets, which are generally smaller & extremely strong.
6. Does your stack call for some bling? Self-adhesive, colored, plastic gems make a fancy topper!
While you are at the craft store buying buttons and magnets, why not pick up a few tins? Placing a few of your lovely button magnets into a tin, is a fantastic presentation for your handmade gift.
we heartsters – what type of magnets currently adorn your refrigerator?
Rachel is a stay-at-home Mom that never seems to be home. She’s a military wife, mother to The Danger Boys and a self-proclaimed craftaholic that enjoys photography, knitting, baking and all things handmade.
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Sweet is the perfect word for this project, @rachelshay ! I love buttons and always have a ton of them around the house. I can’t believe how easy and adorable your magnets are. Thanks for sharing this great idea!
Very cute idea! Would be a perfect rainy day activity, kids birthday party or to give as a gift! Love it @Rachelshay!
These are completely adorable. What a quick and dear craft. Honestly, is it wrong that I just want to eat them? They look like delicious little candies….
SO cute, especially the little heart buttons! @amity, I agree, there’s something about them that just looks like delicious candy.
We have some supermagnets on our fridge, and a turtle one from Hawaii.
Love this new DIY @Rachelshay! It’s super cute, easy to do, colorful and useful – what’s not to love?!
I’ve always loved buttons for some reason – I remember my Mom had a big old tin of buttons (that had images of buttons all over it) and inside there was 100’s of them in all colors, shapes and sizes and I would love to dump them out and play with them.
These days I love when people add some fab vintage buttons to a standard cardigan or jacket from like The Gap or Target – adds a bit of flair and uniqueness to a basic piece.
Aww, I love these! Very cute, definitely pinning this for later. :)
I LOVE buttons! Obsessed with them, really. And I’m not the only one obviously – I find jars of them thrift store all the time. Never can resist them but then I’m always left thinking “how many buttons does one need?” as I stand in line to buy another jar of buttons!
Now I know what I can do with them. This DIY is so adorable, and So simple it’s brilliant. How cute would these be as party favors? Thanks for sharing @rachelshay!
Upper-duper cute!