Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Change it Up


Today, I made magnets for my magnetic lifeboard ~ "What is a lifeboard," one might query?  It's what I've aptly named the magnetic boards I hung in a small hallway in my home a couple of years ago.  I'll share the "How To's" of this DIY project soon!  Until then, see some similar ones that I hung in a completed office design, here

My lifeboard is filling up rather quickly with various photos, notes, and memorabilia ~ actually to the point that I ended up having more mementos than magnets.  The magnets I wanted to purchase were kind of pricey, so I decided, "Why not make some myself?"  

I've been accumulating a lot of left over foreign coins over the years ~ you know ~ the ones you just can't ever seem to use up as a trip comes to an end?  Well, for lack of a better solution and to avoid pitching them out, I've been dumping them in a Ziploc bag for awhile now.  They came to mind for this little project. 


I purchased some inexpensive magnets from Michael's ~ they can also easily be found at Hobby Lobby, Joanne's, Target, Walmart or your local hardware store.


Additionally, I snatched up some E-6000 ~ the tough stuff ~ it'll hold anything together!

I put just a drop of E-6000 on the back of each magnet and then centered the magnet on the coin ~ allowing it ample time to dry.

These are simple to create and make for a great rainy day project you could get the kids involved with.  The variations on this little task are endless.  Items like; bottle caps, brooches, buttons, coins, pebbles, guitar picks, seashells, or whatever you fancy, can just as easily be made into magnets as well.  I just love the way these coins turned out ~ they provide so much diversity with their colors, shapes and sizes.    


I'm so glad I finally thought of a use for all those loose coins that have been rattling around in the drawer.  Not only have they become a functional item ~ they also remind me of various trips our family has taken over the years.  This was one of those instant gratification projects ~ it didn't require a lot of time ~ and I think the magnets turned out a lot more interesting than some I could have purchased (and they were cheaper to boot as well).  I'd love to hear of ways you might modify this project.  I hope you have a good week! :)

41 comments :

  1. What a great idea! Everybody loves to save old coins from other countries they have visited. This is a lovely way to display them. They're out in the open (not in a scrapbook or drawer) and they make for a great conversation piece.

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    1. Annie ~ I'm glad you like the magnet idea ~ we sure have enjoyed using our coin magnets. They take us back to trips we've shared together.

      :) Dana

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  2. I just came across your blog from somewhere in a web surfing session (i should be working) and I'm completely smitten with so much of what you post!

    This idea especially is calling to me. I have a jar of coins from various places and they need to be displayed! As someone who needs things to also be functional, this is just the perfect project for them. Thanks for the inspiration!

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    1. Hi Lori ~ I think in the craziness of the holidays, I must have overlooked this. I'm so glad you are liking Tattered Style. I've loved making these magnets ~ they bring back many wonderful memories from trips taken. I hope you enjoy yours as much as I've enjoyed using mine. :) Dana

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  3. Thanks for the great idea! (Saw it on pinterest) and my husband collects coins. We have coin books, but those foreign coins sit in bags behind books on the bookshelf! I'm so excited to make these so he can see them all the time!!! (I got his permission of course!)

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  4. Hi Brittany ~ I'm so glad you are going to be able to enjoy the coins all the time! And ~ I'm so glad you stopped by Tattered Style! Have a great Tuesday!

    :) Dana

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  5. Fantastic idea! I've done bottle caps before.. But now that we have a baby, I decided that beer caps on our fridge might look a little inappropriate.. For Christmas, I hot glued ornaments to magnets.. And was trying to find new inspiration for my fridge magnets. This is great!!

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    1. Hi Rebecca ~ I'm so glad you've been inspired. Funny how a baby in the house changes everything ~ doesn't it? Good luck ~ I'd love to see how yours turn out. Thanks for stopping by!

      :) Dana

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  6. E-6000...is there a way to remove it from the coin without coin damage if ever you want to view the other side? ~cs~

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    1. CS ~ I'm sorry, but I don't have an answer to this question. I did read that finger nail polish remover will take it off, but I haven't tried it myself. I hope this might help you.

      :) Dana

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    2. You could try using the craft magnets that are already sticky on one side, like a sticker. they wouldn't be as strong of a hold, but would be much easier to remove.

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    3. Hi Jena ~ I will definitely have to look into those. I've never seen them before but sounds like a great idea. Thank you for the tip!

      :) Dana

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  7. Me encantó poder ver la moneda de mi pais en este proyecto...Viva Honduras!

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  8. awesome idea! Seeing the Philippines' beautiful 5-centavo coin here is a bonus :)

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    1. Hi Marixxa ~ Thank you! We picked the Philippines' coins up on a trip we took there a number of years ago. I agree, it is a beautiful coin. Thanks so much for stopping by.

      :) Dana

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  9. I just did this! First, I sprayed my coins with Lysol disinfecting spray and let them dry (then flipped them over and did it again). Mainly because i'm putting them on my fridge and may touch the magnet, then my food.

    Tip: try the magnet real quick on the back of the coin before applying glue. some of the foreign coins I used must have had iron in them and flipped over or moved around when in contact with the magnet. checking would avoid getting glue on the wrong side of the coin.

    They look great!

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    1. Yea Jena ~ so happy you had success. I would love to see how they turned out if you get the chance. Also, again thanks for the helpful hint.

      Have a good day!

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  10. My biggest pet peeve is magnets that are weak (Ok, I'm exagerating a little...but it is annoying!)
    Does anyone have recommendations on a good strong magnet? How were the one's from Michel's? Do they fall off when someone walks by?
    Thanks!
    Sarah

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    1. Hi Sarah ~ I haven't had any problem with them falling off the board when someone walks by. However the strongest magnets in the WORLD are mighty magnets. They are a little pricier, but you will find it a challenge to even get them off of a surface. You can buy them on Amazon or at The Container Store. Let me know if you have a problem finding them and I'll send you a link. Hope this helps!

      :) Dana

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  11. I have a question you've ever been to Honduras? alli there a coin of my country, that makes me very happy, thanks :D

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    1. Hi Ruby ~ yes I have been to Honduras. I went down on a mission trip and helped do some construction work on an orphanage. I'm happy to see you noticed the coin from your country. It is quite beautiful there.

      :) Dana

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  12. I have a question you've ever been to Honduras? alli there a coin of my country, that makes me very happy, thanks

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  13. Hi Dana! I stumbled upon this idea on Pinterest and thought that it was such a wonderful idea that I immediately went out and got the supplies to try it! Travel is one of those things that stays with you forever; every so often, I'll get a whiff of air that reminds me of my time studying in Provence, France, or of a Roman street side cafe. It'll be nice to have these little reminders each time I go into my kitchen. Thank you for coming up with such a great idea!

    I have a quaint little blog about international food and travel, and so I thought this would be a great one to post about. I linked back to your blog and this specific post so that people would know who should get the credit for this great idea! I hope that's all right! Here's the link to the post: http://wanderlustandsecondhelpings.blogspot.com/2013/06/pesos-pennies-and-pounds-oh-my.html.

    Thanks again for this wonderful craft idea!

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    1. Hi Betsey ~

      I'm so happy to hear you liked my idea of recycling foreign currency into magnets. I've had so many people excited to know there's actually a use for those unused coins other than sitting in a drawer somewhere.

      I took a visit over to your blog and wanted you to know it is quite charming. I too share a love for international travel. Thanks so much for taking the time to let me know you liked the magnet idea. I also appreciate you linking back to me. I hope you enjoy many more wonderful trips in your future.

      Have a lovely day. :)

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  14. This is a lovely idea! I have a question. How do I clean the coins, and make them shiny?.thanx;)

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    1. Thank you! I didn't clean the coins I used. I used them as they were. You might try copper cleaners and silver cleaners that you can buy at Target, Walmart, etc. They just might do the trick. Thanks for stopping by. :)

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  15. I have to say this is a brilliant idea! I stumbled upon your blog through Pinterest while looking for an idea for a demonstration speech and this is easy and quite clever. We all have a drawer full of foreign coins and if you live in Vegas like myslef you also have a ton of casino chips. I hope you don't mind me using your idea. Aziza

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    1. Hi Aziza ~ I'm so happy you found my post via Pinterest. Indeed everyone has a collection of foreign coins or old coins. They make great magnets and have meaning behind them. I'm happy for you to use the idea. Thanks for your kind comment. :) Dana

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  16. Brilliant! Love this idea and even better, I think I know where my coins are stashed from a long ago trip backpacking through Europe (20 years ago!) Gosh that makes me sound old! ha!

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    1. Thanks Jennifer! I'm so happy to hear you like the idea and better yet you have coins so you can make some magnets for yourself. I love mine because they remind me of trips I made with family and friends. Thanks for stopping by. :) Dana

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  17. Very nice, I love them much
    Thanks for the idea
    Ciao
    Norma

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    1. Thanks so much Norma ~ and you are so welcome. Have a lovely day.

      :) Dana

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  18. Ah, love this!! I will definitely be doing this with all that foreign change I have rattling around my bureau drawer! So simple and so fun. :)

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    1. Yea! Happy to hear you'll be using your keepsake coins! I'm sure they will bring back fond memories from your travels! Thanks Kate! :) ~ Dana

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  19. I have done this with little stones that my kids used to collect for me.

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    1. I love this Jean ~ great idea! I'll have to give it a try myself. Thanks for the tip.
      :) Dana

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  20. I have made fridge magnets with small stones that my kids gave me as presente when they were little.

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  21. Where did you get the board?? am looking for something like this for my collections too.

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  22. will do this, too! thank you, Jean for this! :D

    www.camerakarrie.com

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  23. Dear Anonymous - first please forgive me for just responding. I've had some serious technical difficulties. I'm unable to respond in the "Reply" to the comments. I do hope you receive this. I made the magnetic board from sheet metal that I purchased from a metal manufacturing company. Hope this helps.

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  24. Hi Karrie ~ I hope your project turned out. Have a good day. *Please forgive me for just responding. I've had some serious technical difficulties. I've been unable to respond in the "Reply" to the comments section. I do hop you receive this. Have a good day.

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