Jul 1, 20202 min read

Make Your Own Magnets

Stress can come at us in several waysーoccasionally it is a slow crescendo that creeps from the shadows while other times it is a storm that barrels through loudly. As someone who is all too familiar with the frustrations of anxiety, finding creative activities has helped me combat any panic trying to ruin my day. Sometimes that means rewatching episodes of Hey Arnold! and shoveling ramen into my mouth. Though, in the past several years, I have developed a love for watercolours.

Now, if you are less artistically inclined you may be thinking... wait, I can't do this! First, that statement is subjective and probably not true. Second, the kind of painting that I do involves less precision and more relaxation. Below is an example of my technique when I’m just hanging out on the floor of my living room.

I like to draw circles to give me perimeters to work within. And after that, I use tapping motions to put the paint on the paper. It is simple, fun, and only requires a basic understanding of how watercolours move.

So, what do I do with all of these tiny, colourful circles? Well, in a fit of boredom, my roommate and I ordered materials for DIY magnets. Below, I will share the step-by-step process that I used to create my own unique magnets to decorate the surface of my refrigerator.

Supply List: ❖ water ❖ epoxy resin ❖ plastic cups ❖ jar (for water) ❖ paper towels ❖ plastic spoons ❖ watercolours ❖ paint brushes ❖ magnetic sheets ❖ watercolour paper ❖ old towel/washcloth ❖ resin silicone molds

Step 1

Gather the epoxy resin, plastic cups, plastic spoons, and paper towels. Go to a well-ventilated area and cover any surfaces that you wish to protect.

Step 2

Following the directions on the back of the bottles, pour equal parts from each bottle in separate cups.

Then, combine the two mixtures into one cup and stir slowly for five minutes. Make sure not to be aggressive because bubbles may form and cloud the final product.

Step 3

Make sure that this area is ventilated (as the mixture does have an odor) and away from curious pets or young family members.

Step 4

Create your own design for the magnets! You can imitate the watercolour circles that I mentioned above or use the available materials around you. Other great options include magazines, old books that you plan on getting rid of, or personal photographs.

Step 5

After 24 hours, remove the resin from the molds carefully. This process should be simple, and the resin globes should pop right out with no issue.

Step 6

Gather materials to cut out the design of your choosing. I used the resin globe as a guide for how big my design should be and traced it on my watercolour paper.