... who finally got here yesterday. It seemed like decades passed to see my brother and sister after they announced they were coming for an unexpectedly cooler sunshine state holiday. I wanted to give them a couple things, some I could buy and others I couldn't but being me and handmade-crazy I thought instead of buying them souvenir magnets why not work on some of my own, using things from around the house. Nothing special but I thought it was a good way to turn something cheesy into something possibly more remembered and again, sticking with things I usually throw away. I also figured they'd be buying their own souvenir shit so mine would stand out, hopefully in a good way.
It was all so easy and enjoyable. It reminds me why I like to make instead of sell. Selling needs proper cut corners and perfectioned-uniqueness . Gifts can be relaxed and blemished but not sloppy and lazy.
So I started with some plain white paper and I drew the things I wanted obviously based on funnies I thought would relate to them.
(above) Obviously we are fans of the Doctor.
(above) A hammerhead; if we're lucky we'll actually catch one when we go fishing.
(above) sunburned pink lady
(above) a 'catfish'
I took some cardboard from a picture frame I filled up with a painting, the back of an old construction paper book or something of that sort. I save a lot of stuff so it's hard to remember. I'm sure you know if you're a kooky crafter who watches Hoarders while in denial too....
After I traced them I cut them out followed by a trip to the local pub to color them in. I used colored pencils and fine markers. When I was finished with my beers I came home and glued them using a regular glue stick.
Sometime during the drying process I sprayed them with acrylic sealer but Mod Podge or any of those paint-ons would work the same, I just happened to be out.
I try to always keep "magnetic buttons' from the store; if I get an advert magnet in the mail or any other kind of non-special, ugly ass magnet I'll sometimes glue that to the back. I used the store bought kind because the last pack I bought is still going strong. They were self-adhesive but I still hot glued them on to the cardboard backing. Unfortunately I was almost a few sheets towards the windy side so I didn't take as many photos as I would have liked. I didn't take any of the back but I was fairly sure you all know what cardboard + magnet =
Please excuse some terrible drunken photography where apparently I forget that a flashbulb is sometimes an issue but as you cas see they came out very cool. Issues with making this were very minimal; I'd say this was downright easy. I like how decorative magnets can be made with so many different items. The next batch I make I want to use up some of my polymer that's been living in the closet.
Today I am making chana. It's a crunchy, flavorful snack food that tastes ahhhh-mazing; it's made from chick peas and I am adding a litte variation by mixing in black eyed peas. Be ready for an instructional on what to eat while you make you own magnets.
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