make your own alphabet magnets {diy letter board}

We’ve been in resin-dork heaven recently, I know.

{We shared this post last year, and since we’ve received so many questions about it… we thought we’d go another round!}

So far, we’ve made these fun necklaces, some awesome little keychains, and these easy diy earrings.  

We adore the idea of alphabet magnets. They never get old to us. So we decided it would be fun to make our own funky versions for the fridge – and since our kids are older, we made more than one set for a diy letter board… the old school way. So without further ado, how to make your own alphabet magnets, {and a diy letter board}. 

These have such a fun, chunky glittery texture, we really can’t get enough. 

They have a fun vintage throwback feel, that remind me a little bit of my glitter batons and bracelets and basically all things 80’s. 

And since we made quite a few sets, we can basically spell whatever we like.

Except supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.

I tried. Not enough i’s. I think I’ll go make more. Jamin says that the resin people should send me a Christmas card. In all seriousness, I think it’s done a lot to manage my anxiety so LAY OFF ME I’M CRAFTING. 

Basically the kids have had a lot of fun leaving everyone messages on the fridge. 

And so have I. 

Want to make some? 

Here’s what you’ll need: {some links below are affiliate to fund my habitual crafting issues}

• resin kit – I like the easy cast because it comes with thorough instructions. Read them all, but I’ll cover more of that below.  
• measuring cups {the kind you give your kids medicine with}  – make sure they are marked for measuring.
• toothpicks
• this adorable mold
• glitter or other fillers – it’s fun to get creative with this one
• magnets + glue – edited a year later to add – this one is the best – {see our post on it here}
• wax paper or another way to work on a protective surface – resin doesn’t come out, so make sure you’re covered + gloves

A note on magnets: {Ignore the ones in the photo above – they didn’t work, but find some strong ones that you’re comfortable with on your safety level – we used the tiny neodymium ones because our children are older. Also, if scratching is an issue, use something like electrical tape in between the magnet + fridge – it helps} 

Work off a protective surface, and in an area that is well-ventilated. Also work on an area that can be left that way to give the resin plenty of time to cure. This takes about 24 hours, give or take, so be flexible with wait time and the area being able to be left alone. {AKA the family dinner table is probably not a good option} 

Measure out your resin according to the instructions.

Before I began, I read the directions about three times over, because it’s a very temperamental substance. 

What I learned: 

• Work in small amounts. This keeps it easier to deal with- It can get away from you quickly, so this is important. 
• Use two different medicine cups to measure out your resin + hardener precisely.  It’s a 1:1 ratio so make sure you have it right. I’m not kidding when I say this may include getting on the floor so that your head is level with the table and you can make sure your measurements are precise. Do what it takes and you’re good to go.
• If you don’t get the measurements right, you can have cloudy, sticky mixtures that never dry. So pay attention.
• Pour one into the other after you’ve measured, and stir in a figure 8 motion, with a toothpick. Work the sides, too.
• You’ll see it cloud up, which means the reaction is happening 
• The instructions will be more precise, but stir for 2 minutes. 
• Do not remove your toothpick, when stirring. This reduces air bubbles. 
• After two minutes, pour it into another measuring cup, with a fresh stick. 

• Stir for 1 minute. The mixture should start to clear up. 

• Your resin will go from liquid to soft gel in about 15 minutes. Now you can add filler, or whatever else you wanted to add to your resin. 

• You have that period of time to work with it. Stir again and you’re ready to pour. 

The clear cast resin is a great one to work with, because it domes beautifully in simple projects like this. 

You let it dry, for about 24 hours until it’s no longer tacky, and you’re done! 

Clean up notes: you can use alcohol on your measuring cups while the resin still wet. I just clean them out with paper towels and some alcohol at the table. This probably goes without saying, but don’t use your measuring cups for medicine again after using with resin, since it’s not safe. And don’t pour it down the sink when cleaning – thus the paper towels. Also, if you get some on your skin, baking soda + salt are a good option for removal. 

We waited 24 hours and then our little molds were ready to pop out! Easy peasy rice and cheesy… if you can just get those measurements right. It tends to take a little practice. 

When they were done, we glued our tiny magnets to the back. We gave our glue some time to dry – about twelve hours. {Note: hot glue doesn’t work – we definitely recommend the glue used above.} 

And it was so much fun!

We love all our little phrases + messages. 

Letter boards the old school way. 

Note on the amount of letters we made: To have enough to do these, it took about three batches of all the letters, and then we added a few batches of vowels, as well. In total, it was about three days for all the drying time. Still not enough i’s, apparently.

Totally worth it for all the fun messages. 

As always let us know if you have any questions.

Have an inspired day!