Bottle cap magnets - teacher's gift idea

Are you looking for something personal and fun to make for your kids' teachers or your friends? Should it should be cheap and quick to make, but not look cheap? I've got a great idea for you to copy:

Bottle cap magnets!

Here is what you'll need (click on the words to find the products at my2angels):

1. Glass cabochons-25mm

2. Dimensional Magic

3. Some paper with small designs (use up some bits from your stash)

4. An unsused bottle cap (from the home bewery section at Woolies)

5. A magnet (from the cheap shop) 

Cover the cabochon with Dimensional Magic, place it on the design you want and swirl it around a little to spread the glue and pop any airbubbles.

Let it dry for about half an hour.

Now on to squishing some bottle caps!

If you have a Cuttlebug or similar machine, you're in luck. Make the following sandwich:

B plate

metal die (metal side facing bottle top)

bottle cap (pointy bits up)

A plate

It will be squished to perfection. 

If you don't have a Cuttlebug and can't rush out to get one this very minute, don't despair. Lay your bottle cap with the pointy bits down on a wooden cutting board and give it a few gentle taps with a hammer. It's not as perfect, but looks ok too.

 Check your glued-on cabochon. Is it completely dry? Then cut it out. It doesn't have to be perfect, just follow the outline of the glass pebble.

Put some strong glue (I use Helmar 450) on the inside plastic rim of the bottle cap

Glue the cabochon on.

 Glue a magnet on the back of the bottle cap.

Easy, right? For a present I made 6 matching ones.

Now you need some presentation. 

Cut out a tag from Snowflake paper (there are 9 on the sheet, so that will go a long way). 

 Glue 6 small metal washers on the backside of the paper (raid the shed!) They will hold your magnets in place. 

 Pop the magnets on the front, add some red baker's twine and a Christmas tree charm. Wrap it in a bit of cellophane and you are done!

Try and match the paper you use to your teacher's taste. My daughter's male teacher is getting monsters!

For more easy handmade Christmas gifts (with instructions and lots of photos) click here.