Dishwasher Magnets

By: Rita Schwab for Diamond Tech

Now you can stop wondering whether your dishes are clean or dirty. These helpful Dishwasher Magnets from Diamond Tech are super easy to make and are so helpful around the house. Looking for easy homemade gift ideas? These magnets are just the thing!

Dishwasher Magnets

Materials:

1 ea– My Tile Kit Glass – Large Squares (TC222)
Laser Color Printer
Bowl
Paper Towels
Oven
White Paint (formulated for use on glass)
Head Pins
Assorted size pearl beads and clear beads
¼” copper foil
Small jump ring
Solder
Soldering Iron
Flux and brush
Fid or Craft Stick
Spool of complimenting organza ribbon

Instructions:

Use ONLY LASER PRINTERS - Do not use an ink jet printer.
Test with half sheets of copy paper to ensure images and print settings are properly set before loading Image Art paper.
Reduce margins to the lowest setting.
Not recommended for commercial grade printers or copiers. They become too hot and can melt the paper.
If the machine is CAPABLE of printing in color, choose this option.
Set printer for photo printing or best quality.

Set document dimensions to 8.50” x 5.50” (landscape orientation) using any software which allows you to print images (for example: Word or Photoshop). Adjust the desired images to the size of your tile and insert them into the document. For the most economical use, fill the entire page before printing. Warm up the printer by running 5-6 plain sheets of paper through it. Should you desire to place your decal on the back of the tile, make sure you flip the image before printing.
Remove protective tissue from the Image Art paper. Insert the 8.50” x 5.50” paper into the printer tray. Select plain paper type.
Follow printer’s instructions and print transfer. After printing allow the paper to set for 10-15 minutes before using. Trim the desired transfer to size and shape using scissors. Clean tile and dry thoroughly. Lightly moisten the front of the tile with water. Place the transfer into a bowl of water for approximately 1 minute.
Position Image Art transfer above the surface; then slide ½” of the backing paper away from the top layer of the Image Art transfer.
Line up the Image Art transfer on the surface. Gently slide the Image Art transfer from the backing paper onto the surface using a finger to smooth the transfer as you peel away the backing. PLEASE NOTE: Transfers are fragile and can tear easily, handle them carefully. Gently pat and smooth out the Image Art transfer with a moist paper towel eliminating air pockets and wrinkles. Allow to dry overnight.
Preheat oven to 345°F. Place the tile with the decal facing up on an oven safe rack or baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes. Turn off oven, prop open oven door and allow cooling for 20 minutes. Remove with heat safe oven mitts or pad. Your tiles are ready to be used.
To make the decal pop: Apply a couple coats of white acrylic paint formulated for glass. Allow paint to dry. NOTE: The bottom surface of the glass has a light even texture which helps the image adhere to the surface. The texture magically disappears and is invisible once you apply the adhesive to your image.
Clean the edges of the glass square thoroughly with a vinegar/water solution or alcohol and clean cloth. Foil will not stick properly if your glass is dirty or oily.
Start with ¼” (1.5ml thick) copper foil. Peel back 3”- 4” of backing from the foil. Center the sides of your glass square on the sticky side of the foil. Wrap foil around the entire edge of the glass with foil and overlap the ends ¼”.
Use a fid (if you don’t have a fid, a pencil or craft stick can be substituted) and burnish (rub) the surface of the foil to the edge of the glass. Press firmly, however too much pressure may cause the foil to tear.
Flux and solder over the cooper tape. Use pliers to hold a jump ring to the corner edge of glass and add solder to anchor into place. Clean well with flux remover or soap and warm water.
Thread beads onto a head pin to form a dangle. We used pearls of varying sizes and clear seed beads. Curl the end of the pin to form a loop or eye, nip off any extra metal not needed. Slip dangle onto the jump rings and pinch with pliers to close.
Cut a 1 7/8” X 1 7/8” piece of sheet magnet to fit the back of the glass square. Remove paper covering the sticky backing and place on the back of the glass square.
Thread a ribbon through the jump ring and tie a bow.