Looking through another of those magazines full of music momentos, I noticed some darling music magnets. However at $15 for a set of 4, there was no way I could afford buying enough to share with my students as an end of year gift. So I brainstormed and came up with my own music magnets! Using scrapbook paper that I already had, I made 30 magnets for $10 – way more affordable gifts for my students!

20130513_151859So if you’d like to make them as well, here’s a short tutorial for you. First off,  you’ll need a sheet or two of music scrapbook paper, a bag of glass marble accents (found in the floral stones section at craft stores), mod podge, and small magnets with adhesive.

Start by cutting out several circles with a circle punch or by hand. My glass accents were not exactly round so I then carefully cut the circle to fit better with scissors. Brush on the mod podge to the frond side of the paper and stick it onto the glass accent. 20130513_151928Using a hard piece of plastic (a loyalty card to a restaurant or store is what I used), run it over the paper once to push out any air bubbles. Then cover the back side of the paper in a thin layer of mod podge and let it dry.

After a few hours of drying, take your magnets and stick them onto the back side of the paper. I bought magnets with adhesive already on them but I’ve attached magnets with really strong glue for other crafting projects so either way works great!

 

20130513_152108Now turn it over and ta-da! You have a finished music magnet! If you want to make other magnets, try changing up the scrapbook paper. I love using them on my fridge or magnet boards throughout my house and studio!

My students loved them! And I love having a few left over to use myself 😉

 

 

Author: Whitney

Whitney Hawker, NCTM, teaches group and private piano at Weber State University, Utah. She loves surprising students with the perfect piece or a new exciting game! After graduate school, she missed sharing ideas and resources daily with colleagues so she and her friend, Spring, began blogging together at 4DPianoTeaching.com