Hey everyone! Jumping back into the swing of things with my first tutorial. I am going to admit right here and now that I think I am obsessed with sticking magnets to things, but I get frustrated because the sticky side of the magnet strips…well….sucks. So here’s a super quick and easy peasy tutorial for you all on how I am slowly turning my entire collection of bottle caps into fridge magnets!
Step One) Drink up!
Now when it comes to choosing your bottle caps you can do that however you like. You can use soda bottles, beer bottle, vintage caps you found at the antique store- whatever. I recommend finding one that are in pretty good shape and not bent, but then again, it’s your magnet- go crazy.
If you’re taking the cap off a bottle, I recommend a bottle opener like the top of a wine bottle opener, or just going slow and careful around the cap 360˚ to make sure it opens evenly without distorting its shape. Like this:
Step Two) Fill your base.
Unless you have thick magnets, this is kind of important if you want to be able to use your magnet. For this, you can use pretty much any sort of glue. I originally used Mod Podge, but deciding I didn’t want to waste my precious MP, I switched to Elmer’s school glue which is less than a dollar per bottle (that means lots of magnets!!)
Take your glue and fill your cap to almost full. Don’t worry this shrinks down as it dries. And you can add more later if it shrinks too much. You can do a bunch of thinner layers if you want it to dry quicker. Now the hard part. Wait for it to dry.
This is what they look like filled. The left is fresh, and the right one is after its dried.
Step Three) Wait wait wait.
Now’s a good time to do your nails, blog, make some delicious homemade focaccia (I’ll post the recipe soon) or do some photo editing. Or all of the above. It’s a long wait.
Step Four) Magnetize!
Now this is where my Mod Podge comes in handy. Using a Q-tip, I dollop a good bit onto my my glue base (now dry) and press my magnet into it.
Make sure your glue base is high enough so that your magnet sits flush with the edges of the cap. Now wait for it to dry some more. Man is this part boring.
Step Five) Stick it!
Super easy right? And they look cool! I’ve been making mine out of specialty brews my partner and I have been trying the past few weeks. It’s a fun little reminder of the fun we have together.
Share pictures of what you create with me! I’ll even post some if you do!
Love Mel
PS: Because I know someone will ask, I got my “All Out OF” list at Bookman’s in AZ.
Little Submarines 