How To Make Postage Stamp Magnets
I love to travel and have lived in various countries during my life. A few years ago I made myself an upcycled world map magnetic pinboard (see it here). I thought it would be fun to make some magnets out of old postage stamps for the board.
I also thought these stamp magnets would make a lovely fridge magnet gift the kids could make for Christmas.
I have a tin of old postage stamps from all around the world and lots of different pictures on them.
If making stamp magnets as a gift you can use stamps from a country that is special to that person. Or if they are into particular things like nature or sports, you can use stamps with those themes.
I tear the stamps off the letters and parcels I receive to keep for my crafts.
First, trim the paper around the stamp, leaving a small border a couple of mm wide. With stamps on very thick paper or cards, (such as postcards), try and reduce the thickness of paper by peeling away layers from the back.
Next, fill a bowl with lukewarm water and float the stamps on the water. After a few minutes, the stamps normally will float off the paper backing to the top of the water.
Then place the wet stamps face down onto kitchen paper to dry. If the stamps are placed face-up, there might be some residual gum on the back of the stamps that will stick to the kitchen paper.
On rare occasions, the water method for removing the backing paper may not work. Another method to try is to use heat to melt the adhesive on the back of the stamp.
Place the stamp face down on a flat heatproof surface. Then iron the back of the envelope with a hot iron. This should melt the adhesive and make it easy to peel the stamp away from the envelope.
To make the stamps into magnets use clear glass tiles called cabochon tiles. These are available from Amazon or craft shops. They come in assorted sizes.
Find a stamp with a picture you like and a glass tile that is roughly the same size.
Paste the front of the stamp with Mod Podge then stick it to the back of the tile.
When the glue has dried, trim away any excess stamp sticking out from the tile with a paper-knife.
Finish off by adding a sticky back magnet to the back.
This is such an addictive postage stamp craft you’ll end up making lots of these magnets. This method can be used to make postage stamp necklaces too by using pendant trays with glass cabochons.
There are so many more things you can make with old postage stamps visit the blog link in my bio to see them, and for more details on this craft.
If you are looking for other travel-themed easy to make gifts, check out my very popular map mason jar banks.
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I Needlepoint & use Needle Keepers that are things like bottle caps painted or covered with paper/fabric. This idea with the Stamps is wonderful. Now I can do my own with the many, non valuable, stamps I've collected through the years. Thank you.
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This would be a great way to recycle those promotional magnet sheets . . . just glue a piece to the back of the stamp, and trim around the edges to fit the cabachon tile.
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Yes that’s a good idea 😊
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How do you remove the self stick stas from paper