Chalkboard Magnets From Repurposed Button Badges | Family Economics

By Cathe

When shopping at thrift stores, I often pick up a few used button badges to add to my craft supply stash. Button badges made to promote everything from special events to politicians are easy to find second-hand and if not free, are usually priced around twenty-five cents or less.

Over the years, I’ve found lots of ways to repurpose them and most recently, turning them into chalkboard magnets – not magnets for the chalkboard, but magnets painted with chalkboard paint that you can actually write on.

Here’s how simple it is:

You will need:

•    Used button badges
•    Wire cutters
•    Chalkboard paint (acrylic craft paint or spray paint)
•    Round ceramic magnets (adhesive backed optional)
•    Hot glue gun and glue sticks (if using non-adhesive magnets)
•    Chalk

To make:

•    Paint multiple coats of chalkboard paint to the front of button badges, drying well between coats. Keep the wire pin-backs in place for easy handling while painting.
•    Once badges are painted, snip the wire pin-backs off.
•    Attach one magnet to the back of each button-badge using hot glue if necessary.
•    Using the side of a stick of chalk, cover the entire front of each magnet and wipe off to keep future writing from leaving permanent marks.
•    Write or draw on each magnet to customize.

TIP: For cleaner writing and drawing, sharpen the tip of a stick of chalk by carefully whittling one end into a point with a sharp knife.

What would you write or draw on your magnets?