Today I finished a set of three shiny DIY magnets (featuring pictures of windows from various places in the world) based on a tutorial I found on the How About Orange blog and they are adorable! (I also saw an alternate version by Ambrosia Girl with instructions to make tiny Polaroid magnets.) Now that I know how easy they are I plan to make them as gifts for all of my friends. Since my method was slightly different than the tutorials I followed, I took the liberty of photographing things as I went along this time! Pictures after the jump.

Step 1: Step 1

1. I used a postcard that I got from Ikea last year to make my magnets. I used tacky glue to stick the whole thing down on to a piece of chip board. (You can use whatever glue you like best!)

Step 2: Step 2

2. Because I didn't want my paper to warp, I clipped the edges down with flat-surfaced clothespins (so I wouldn't crimp the paper!) and allowed it to dry for a couple of hours.

Step 3: Step 3

3. This is what they looked like glued to the chip board and all cut out. Now they are ready for their clear coat!

Step 4: Step 4

4. I used a triple-thick brush on glaze and I allowed it to dry for 15 to 20 minutes in between coats as the packaging directed. I wanted a resin-like finish; I was going for big time gloss! I looked for Modge Podge Dimensional Magic because I have seen how amazing it turns out, but I couldn't find it. Instead I decided to do several coats with the triple-thick glaze.

Step 5: Step 5

5. And here we are after I have applied the final coat! Now leave it overnight to dry and set before you can handle it without leaving fingerprints in the thick coating.

Step 6: Step 6

6. Your magnet strength will depend on what you want to use the magnet for! My magnets are going to be for lightweight papers and decoration only, so I re-purposed an old pizza magnet (because we have a ton in my home!) instead of using my extra duty magnets.

Step 7: Step 7

7. Trim the magnets into the correct size, and then glue the magnet to the back of your glazed photo. (I used super glue, but you can use hot glue.) Allow it to try, and again, you can use the clothespins if you want to make sure that everything gets pressed together. Just make sure that your glaze is dry so you don't leave an indent!

Step 8: Done!

Voila, personalized magnets featuring whatever you want... and they're super shiny! Now go show 'em off!

Check out more DIYs and craft stuff at my blog: A Blank Page