How to make interchangeable magnetic jewelry with 1" buttons

March 24, 2011

bottle cap magnet button pendantHandmade magnetic bottle cap necklace with assorted buttons
Mollie has been borderline obsessed with one particular item lately. It’s not a pretty gemstone bead or sparkly crystal pendant. It isn’t even new. No, Mollie is obsessed with plain old sticky dots. Almost daily, she’d ask me, “Oooh, have you tried the sticky dot?” and I’d just roll my eyes. But now I’m a convert too.
Sticky dots are just that – self-stick little glue pads. Easy to use, strong, zero mess, no fuss, no cure time, no smell. This is true instant gratification!


Round sticky dots fit perfectly under our magnets!

Two of Mollie’s recent designs use the sticky dot: the interchangeable magnet ring and the interchangeable magnet bottle cap pendant. Like many of you crafty people, Mollie has a button making machine. The little 1″ buttons are particularly adorable, and since they are made of steel, naturally they are magnetic. I don’t have a button machine myself, but I buy lots of buttons – and now I can wear them instead of leaving them on my bulletin board!

Here’s the magnet

Here’s the pendant – so cute!

Rings & Things’ wholesale price breaks makes it really affordable to make a whole bunch of these necklaces. For about $50 (before shipping and tax, if applicable) you can get everything (except the buttons) to make 70 necklaces – with supplies leftover! If you don’t already have one, add a pair of EuroPunch pliers to make holes in the caps.

1 spool of ball chain (makes 70 17″ necklaces) $18-25 ~ 100 ball chain clasps $2 ~ 1 oz. jump rings $5-6 ~ 100 bottle caps $7-10 ~ 144 adhesive dots $6 ~ two packs of 35 magnets $12-14

The adhesive dot is completely hidden by the ring and magnet.

1″ buttons make perfect rings!

The same value applies to the magnetic ring design – and absolutely no tools are required to make these!

72 adjustable flat-pad ring blanks $42-62, depending on color (we do sell a less expensive ring blank if you prefer, but the style and comfort of this style is worth the added cost) ~ 144 adhesive dots $6 ~ two packs of 35 magnets $12-14

At these quantities, the necklaces cost less than a dollar and the rings about $1.20 to 1.50 each to make. Buy more and the cost per is even lower. Ah, the genius of good design! ~ Cindy

“Make everything as simple as possible, but not simpler.”
~ Albert Einstein


PS: here are some handy links to some other how-to’s in the Rings & Things blog!

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13 Comments

  • Reply Mollie Valente March 24, 2011 at 7:54 pm

    This would be hilarious if it wasn’t so true.
    Just ask yourself, what could you do with 144 sticky little dots?

  • Reply Mona Baroody March 27, 2011 at 8:52 am

    Cool! It has me wondering if the sticky dots are strong enough to hold glass. I don’t have buttons but I have lots of glass beads that I make!

    • Reply Cindy March 28, 2011 at 7:10 am

      Hi Mona – That’s a great idea! I would make a prototype and wear it around for a day or two before going into mass production, but I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how well these little sticky dots really stick! ~ Cindy

  • Reply traci March 30, 2011 at 5:39 am

    I was wondering where I can find 1″ buttons, I don’t have a button maker. But I love the rings, they are great!
    Thanks.

    • Reply Cindy March 30, 2011 at 7:00 am

      Hi Tracy – Etsy.com is a great source for handmade buttons in every possible style. I’ve purchased from Emily Adams, who recently started her own online store: emilyadamsonfire.com. I also buy artist’s pins at art shows when I can’t afford their full size prints!
      Just use pliers to remove the pin backs and you’re good to go!

      • Reply traci March 30, 2011 at 8:16 am

        Thanks for the info!

    • Reply Jyl April 29, 2012 at 5:20 pm

      Hi Traci,
      I sell a full line of professional, yet affordable, button machines and the supplies to DIY your own! Depending on the size machine you purchase, you can buttons, magnets, pocket mirrors, bottle openers, and so much more… I personally fell so in love with making buttons, and buying different sized machines, that I eventually decided to go into business for my self to help support my family. Please feel free contact me if you have any questions, I’d be happy to help.
      Jyl
      Owner, JYL of ALL Trades
      info@DIYbuttonSupply.com
      P.S. Cindy, GREAT idea using the bottle caps!!

  • Reply Paige January 24, 2012 at 2:31 pm

    I have seen necklaces with like a silver bezel cup and you interchange the buttons. Do you sell those? thanks

  • Reply le gall caroline January 2, 2013 at 10:35 pm

    hi
    i’m about purchasing to your shop to make interchangeable ring but on Etsy , i dont know if i have to buy button magnet or flat black, when I ask they cant reply
    can you help me ,please?
    regards

  • Reply Evelyn Cucchiara February 13, 2013 at 6:15 am

    Love this idea! Question – do any of your bezel ring blanks fit the 1″ buttons? I just like the look of the bezel more then the flat.

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