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Glass Bead Magnets in Altered Altoids Tin

I recognize that I’m a little late in the game to do this project/tutorial.  You can find these tutorials on the web dating back a few years.  However, I just know that there are some of you out there unfamiliar with this craft.  For those of you sheltered individuals, please allow me to introduce you to the fun of making glass bead magnets!  Warning:  These magnets are so easy to make and so instantly gratifying that they become a bit addictive.  Do not blame me if your husband can’t find the refrigerator handle amidst the sea of cute magnets! 

Money is incredibly tight in the Hunter household these days.  I won’t bore you with the details, but suffice it to say that we are operating on a third less income than normal.  This means getting creative in many ways to make ends meet.  But what to do?  People are still getting married, are still having babies, are still in need of thanking.  This craft is my creative solution.  Granted, it’s not exactly as fabulous as receiving something off of your registry, but I think it’s cute, unique, and classy enough to do the trick in a difficult economy.
On one of my recent Goodwill outings, I bought an ugly vase for $.75.  I didn’t care for the vase, but what appealed to me was the $5 worth of glass beads inside the vase.  Score!  If you don’t have glass beads, you can find them at any craft store and even at the dollar store.  They run $1-4 for a small bag.


I then bought a pack of Altoids peppermints, so I could acquire the cute tin.  I buy mints and gum for my purse anyhow, so this didn’t seem like an unreasonable expenditure.  I spray painted the tin black and waited for it to dry.
  
I searched for various vintage images on google by typing in vintage _____ (i.e. vintage letter l) and copied and pasted the ones I wanted into Word.  I then just eyeballed and guesstimated on the size I would need for each. 
 
To glue the beads onto the images, I just used a little Mod Podge on the bead…..
…and placed it right on top of the image.  Wait for them to completely dry before cutting.
I placed my Altoids Tin on top of the images and trace around them.  I didn’t glue these into place.  Simply popped them in and let them be! 
Once your beads are cut-out, take some E-6000 glue (or some type of superglue) and glue your magnets onto the back of the beads.  I used neodymium magnets that I picked up from Walmart.  This was by far the costliest part of the project.  Eight magnets ran about $7.  So if you can find quality magnets on-the-cheap let me know!  Also, tip for you:  Keep your magnet beads FAR from each other while they are drying.  My beads were close together and kept jumping across the counter to bond with one another!  I mean, I know they said love and all, but I wasn’t expecting such a public display of affection!  Sheesh. Newlyweds.
Wow.  You guys look so cute on my refrigerator, I might just have to hoard you for myself!
 
Below is the completed Altoids tin.  For the outside of the box, I Mod Podged the paper, ribbon, and monogram into place, attached a bow with some superglue and called it cute!
 

A wedding gift for a friend for under $10!  What newlywed could refuse a cute vintagey magnet to hang up all those wedding pics on the fridge?  I think she’ll love it!  I know I do.

 

Join the party!

DIY Day @ ASPTL

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Comments

  2. p.s. i forgot to mention that i just used the inside of some envelopes for the magnet design. Some of those protective envelopes have designs in them and i just used those. I do love your designs too!

  4. Great idea…I had never seen it! I'll have to "steal" this idea. Magnets are always a great gift!

    Tana@Crafting R&R

  6. You're really funny. And the transformation of the altoids container is seriously impressive.

  7. You are so creative! I am sure that I have some of those glass beads somewhere!

  8. So I have a challenge for you: A friend's husband is returning from a year-long deployment. Her friend is throwing a shower for her, sort of like a bridal lingerie shower, to celebrate their upcoming reunion. I need a gift idea. Okay… go!

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