I’ve been making Christmas gifts for my mom since I was kid. This year I wanted to combine a couple of my mom’s favorite things – she loves vintage jewelry – handmade Christmas ornaments – and pictures of the kids. Putting those three loves together I made her these magnetic chalkboard ornaments.
They were the easiest little ornaments to make too! I think this took maybe 15 minutes – okay maybe just a little longer because of the drying time of the paint. Seriously though, this was a super fast project, and I really love the sweet, simple result!
Starting with three wooden cut outs (from my craft supply stash), that you could pick up at Hobby Lobby or Michaels for just a few cents, I used a sponge applicator to paint 5 very smooth coats of magnetic primer -only on the front. Unless you want both sides to be magnetic there’s no need to paint the back. Why 5 coats? In my experience I’ve found that it takes more than a couple coats to get a nice strong magnetic surface. Waiting for each coat to dry does require some patience, but it’s worthwhile when your magnet clings perfectly!
Then when the primer was dry I painted 2 coats of chalkboard paint on the front and back – again with a sponge applicator for a nice smooth surface. Then I conditioned the surface by rubbing chalk over them and was ready to decorate!
I had already made a few magnets out of vintage clip-on earrings (just glueing a magnet to the back of a few thrift store finds), so I cut out a few pics of the kids and called this easy project done!
I kind of wish I had made more of these because they look so pretty on my white tree I’d like to have a few of my own. But Christmas is about giving (right?), and I know my mom is going to love these! And I like that they really don’t look too “Christmas-y” so she could hang them on hooks somewhere in her home and keep them out all year long. Plus I like that the pictures can easily be replaced. And she could also take the magnets off and use them as chalkboard labels/signs – but who would want to take the vintage clip-on earrings turned magnets off?
Attaching the twine hanger was really simple too. I just used a little hot glue and some black ribbon.
And the icing on the cake? I already had all of these supplies on hand. It pays to be a diy-craft-supplies-hoarder! Have you done any holiday crafting this year?
The winner of the Wrist Soiree giveaway is …………….Ashley@AttemptsAtDomesticationDecember 7, 2012 1:10 PM
