DIY Magnets, Recycled Magnets, Repurposed Patches, Coin Magnets, Patch Magnet, Badge Pin, Button Pins, Keychains

Hi Friends!

We bring you this DIY Magnets 3+ Ways craft straight out of our Eureka, CA trip last month, and MY LOVE of magnets!

Check out our magnets below, ranging from a small cost to least expensive to make.

*Click on photos for closer look

What You'll Need

Patch, Badge/Button Pin or Keychain small cost
Pressed Penny minimal cost
Gift Shop Bag, Brochure, Flyer, or Business Card (from travels/outing) no cost
Scissors
Cardboard
Craft Glue
Gorilla Glue
Different Sized Magnets

M.S. helped me make the commemorative pennies! It literally took seconds. This was his and little brother M.J.’s first time to the Sequoia Park Zoo or any place in the Eureka, Ca area.

I CAN’T believe I’m already saying this, but summer is pretty much over. It happens every year, summer slips by so quickly, and we’re scrambling to get more of it. lol

Why magnets? They’re fun, unique, usually specific to their locale, mostly inexpensive, tactile, and a useful memento! Magnets hold a special place in my heart and on my fridge. They showcase the places we’ve traveled to before we had kiddos, those we’ve visited with them, places our family/friends have been to, and honestly, tell a pretty neat story.

They can also be hard to come by. We’ve frequented restaurants and shops on our travels that I wished had magnets for purchase, but only a business card, gift bag or a food box/bag with their logo was available. Some places carry larger souvenirs, but magnets get left out, or their selection is sad. So you see, magnets are serious business with me, haha.

Instead, I’ve used the magnet hacks below to create my own.

a) A badge I purchased years before to create my own customized magnet.

This is the most expensive of the options, but patches, badge/button pins, and keychains offer unique alternatives to typical magnets.

b) Our pressed pennies!

c) Stamped paper bag from a purchase. A brochure, flyer, business card, or even a logo from a pizza/food box could be repurposed! This usually costs nothing or just the purchase of the food item.

The Steps

PENNIES

Our magnets had a stick-on option, but to be safe, we added Gorilla Glue after peeling the paper off.

Remove paper backing from magnet and add a little bit of glue to the magnet and penny.
Let glue sit on each item, unattached, for about 1-2 min.
Join the 2 together and press hard. Let it dry for a few minutes.

STAMPED ITEMS

If you are using anything with food, make sure to clean or wipe any moisture/oils off.

Trim your item of choice. I chose to use the upper portion of the stamped bag.
Use cardboard or firm piece of paper, cut to size, to mount your cut piece onto.
Add craft glue to the cardboard and then press your cut piece firmly. Let it dry for a few minutes.
IF you are using Styrofoam, Gorilla Glue might work better.

4. Turn your piece backwards to add magnets.

5. Remove the paper backing, apply glue and let sit.

6. Press the magnets onto cardboard and press firmly before drying for a few minutes.

OPTIONAL: I have always written down the date of our trips on the back with a pen or sharpie so I could remember the time/visit better. I’ll also add the name of the person who gave us the magnet if it was a gift.

That’s it!! SUPER EASY!