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Shellcraft
Decorative Fridge Magnet
Project 1: Center Focus
A decorative fridge magnet for my refrigerator from something that I was planning on trashing. In this case I received a refrigerator magnet with some local lawyer or such advertizing on it. Instead of trashing it, I used it as canvas for my arts and crafts and created this very pretty piece.
A pretty blue rhinestone in the center of this shellcraft represents the beauty of a calm blue sea. The pearls, seashells, and sand further the image of a sea bed. Imagine walking along the sand and finding these treasures. Then using them to make yourself a beautiful home decor.
I have converted it from trash to a very pretty arts and crafts magnet worth putting on the refrigerator and looking at. Here's how:
Materials:
1. Magnet, flat rectangle, business card size [2 x 3 1/2"]
2. Seashells
3. Pearls
4. Rhinestones
5. Glue
6. Sand
Other Materials
1. Newspaper
2. Hobby Brush
3. Polyurethane, Liquid
Getting Started
Select your materials. Pick out some seashells, small pieces of coral, a couple of colors of rhinestones, a pearl or two. Now that you have all the materials handy for the decorative magnet project, place them on the magnet surface. Use the photo of the Shellcraft Guides design at the top of the page or take a look at Decorative Magnet Gallery for inspiration and guidance. Move them around until you have a design that pleases you.
Now carefully move the items off the magnet and place them to the sides so the pattern you developed can still be seen. With a sheet or two of newspaper under the project you can start the next phase of this decorative magnet.
Putting it all together
Remove any loose materials from the magnet. If you are using a magnet with an adhesive side to it, remove the paper that covers the adhesive. Use the adhesive side for your decorative magnet.
With the face to work on facing up, apply glue to the whole surface. Apply if over the adhesive if there is any. Spread it out with a hobby brush so it covers the surface evenly.
Place your design on the fridge magnet. Start with the center area and work your way to the edges. Take care with the smaller items, like the rhinestones, so they don't end up upside-down on the glue. It can ruin their shine.
Take a look. Make sure all the objects are aligned the way you wanted them to be.
Pour sand over the glue - slowly and carefully so you don't move the items of your design. Make sure the sand covers all the glue. Set the decorative fridge magnet aside and let the glue dry.
Finishing the Project
Once the decorative fridge magnet is dry pick it up and lightly shake off any loose sand. Everything else should remain glued in place. Recover the sand for future projects or trash it.
Now take out some polyurethane and paint the seashells and sand with it. DO NOT get polyurethane on the pearls or beads, nor on the rhinestones. Although it gives shine to the seashells and sand, it has the opposite effect on rhinestones and pearls. Makes them dull.
Let it all dry. Probably another hour.
Using Your Decorative Fridge Magnet
Well, the first place would be the refrigerator but why limit this to the kitchen. Anyplace with some steel will hold the decorative fridge magnet you have made. Do you have an office with a steel file cabinet? Put a magnet there. Or even take one to work and put it on your steel cabinets there.
There is also gift giving. They make great small gifts. Give one to each of your co-workers, or to your friends.
Or start your own collection.
Try Another Project:
Project 2 - Butterfly
Project 3 - Cross
Project 4 - Angel
Project 5 - Sea Turtle
Project 6 - Tri-Clam
Project 7 - Marblehead Angel
Project 8 - Teddy Bear
Return to Main Magnet Page
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