Tuesday, August 16, 2011

return on creativity: clay alpha magnets



I'm so excited to share this project.  It was a lot of fun.  I hope you all love it too!

I conceived this project on the drive to work.  I seem to get my best ideas while driving.  Unfortunately I only have a ten mile drive to work.  If I commuted farther I'd probably be a genius!  Or maybe not...

Here's what you need for the alpha magnets:

small circle cut out (I used one that came in this set for fondant)
circle magnets
letter stamps  (I used this set)
super glue

Here's how you make them:

1.  Condition your clay by working in your hands.  Then roll out the clay as evenly as possible.  I wanted my magnets to be a little chunky so my clay was probably about a half inch thick.


2.  Cut out circles.


3.  Lightly press stamps into the ink.  You only want to cover the top of the letter.  Then press the letter stamp into the clay. 


4.  Bake per instructions on the package.  I baked mine for thirty minutes. 


5.  Remove from the oven and let cool.



6.  Glue on magnets with super glue.  I found these circle magnets at Michaels and they were the perfect size!  (Why oh why can I not use super glue without totally coating my fingers???)

7.  Play with your new magnets! 

Funny story:  Whenever I bake clay my husband always walks into the family room from the kitchen and says, "There's something wrong with those cookies you baked."  It's sort of our running joke.  When I pulled these out of the oven he said, "What are you cooking this time?  Typewriter keys?"  

They do sort of look like typewriter keys...





30 comments:

  1. So adorable!! I LOVE these! I have never worked with clay but one of these days I am going to try it!

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  2. Popping over from nap time crafters - I looove these, been looking for a use for this cornstarch clay I made...

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  3. Typewriter keys was my first thought too--these are really stinkin' cute!!
    Did you see us featured over on Craft Gossip for our purse frame purses?

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  4. I like this a lot. I make a lot of stuff out of polymer clay. So I definitely might try this out.

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  5. Ahhhh I love this!! So cute! Makin these for sure

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  6. awesome! Very cool looking. I also work a lot with clay and I've decorated a few vessels using typography - didn't have any stamps though! There are some examples in this post: http://www.sewlavie.com/2010/07/ceramics-from-pit-fire.html

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  7. I also thought they looked just like typewriter keys. Cute!

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  8. it's cute, has function, and works as a learning tool!! Perfect project!! Thanks for sharing!

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  9. This project is a keeper. I have been thinking about doing something like this for a while. Thanks for sharing.

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  10. These little magnets are adorable! I love the font you stamped.

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  11. These are so cute! I just made clay tags for the first time, so this may be my next clay project!

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  12. This is so awesome! They are so cute. I just bought a bunch of polymer clay, and now I know what I'm doing with it!
    FOund you on Shabby Nest!
    :)
    http://www.releasemecreations.com

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  13. These are such a great idea. I love the typewrite style font. Such a great way to keep the kids busy while you're cooking dinner AND working on their spelling.

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  14. OH MY WORD! Cute, cute, cute! All over the place cute! My girls would go gaga for these and I just love how your crafty brain conceived these! Thanks for sharing your fabulous tute. I just ♥ it!
    xoxo,
    Jessica

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  15. Oh my goodness! These are adorable. I've want to try a simple polymer clay project... adding this to my list. Love these!

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  16. These are simple and look great- if only all journeys were so fruitful. Lynda

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  17. Very nice idea! I love the functional and educational aspect. Thank u for sharing

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  18. How cool! Totally pinning this one. :)

    Thanks for linking to the Creative Bloggers' Party & Hop!

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  19. Visiting from Homemaker on a Dime, absolutely love these! I'm off to pin this, thanks for sharing!
    www.modernwivelyhood.blogspot.com

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  20. love these! thanks so much for sharing on Craft Schooling Sunday, so great to have you back as a regular contributor!

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  21. These are soooo much fun! I love them.

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  22. Oh my gosh!! I love these. I am always looking at vintage typewriter keys to craft something with but they are so expensive to buy. This is a great idea. Please share this post on my brand new Saturday link party at http://rustic-crafts.com :)

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  23. I wanted to let you know that I featured this on my "What I Bookmarked This Week" post today. Stop by and see!

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  24. This is such a neat idea. I love them. Thanks for sharing.

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  25. I am in love with these! Absolutely darling!!!

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  26. These are just fantastic!!!
    I wonder if you'd be able to hide the magnets a bit more? like somehow baking them with the magnets in?

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  27. what a lovely idea - must try this! thank you for charing!

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  28. These are wonderful! How have the magnets held up? I find the magnets from Michaels and the $1 Store don't hold up very much.

    Just wondering, since I'd love to make some for my boys! Thanks for the post.

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