Magnetic Sheet Art

This is a cool way to use all those wire clippings you saved up from your other crafts. My seven-year-old daughter made this beach scene in a pinch. I'm sure you can make some pretty awesome wire art, too.

Grab a bunch of leftover metal wire clippings from your clown cart crafts (this is what I make in my spare time) or other crafts, but make sure all the wire will be attracted to a magnet. Pure copper doesn't work, but RG45 welding rod (steel with copper cladding) does. Plastic-coated steel wire works, too (shown in green).

Use a small hammer and hammer surface as shown to make your wires flat. Flat wires stick to magnets better than twisted wires; especially when the magnetic sheet art is displayed upright the first time.

You will also need the following items:

1/4 plywood panel,

Magnetic sheet,

Roller cutter,

Cutting surface for the roller cutter,

Ruler or guide to guide the roller cutting,

Adhesive spray, and

a heavy flat object (book).

Place the magnet sheet down on the cutting surface. You can use the appropriately-sized and squared wood panel as a template for the cutting. Leave the magnetic sheet a little big to help when gluing up the assembly. You can trim the extra material off after the sheet is firmly glued to the board.

Use your roller cutter to cut the magnetic sheet a little bigger than the board.

Spray heavy-duty adhesive spray on the flattest side of the board. If spraying indoors, make sure you use an appropriate enclosure (as shown) to catch overspray.

Position the magnetic sheet (magnet side up) against the adhesive on the board. Now you can see why you want the sheet cut larger than the board. If not positioned perfectly; no problem. We can trim it perfect later.

Note (5/26/14): The white side of most magnetic sheeting is not magnetic, so be sure to place the magnet side out.

After positioning the magnetic sheet, immediately press the magnetic sheet with your hands against the adhesive to form a permanent bond.

Place a heavy object on the magnetic sheet art assembly and allow the adhesive to dry according to the adhesive manufacturer's instructions.

Once the adhesive dries accordingly, trim off the magnetic sheet that is protruding past the board.

I made this dude. Simple yet....simple.

If you want to see what else I make, please go to www.ClayClothMetalCraft.com and take a look around. I just started this site, but I put more projects on it as the weeks go by. Once there, you can subscribe to my site and download my free guide "How to Make (Torch Braze) a Simple Wire Wheel.

Thanks for reviewing this Instructable...and my website; I hope you like what I provided.

Your friend, Mark