Quick and simple, these button and flower magnets will pretty up fridges and bulletin boards in an instant. And added bonus: paintings, invites and pics can be styled up without those pesky adverts for the local tradies. They take no time – and minimal cash – to make, and are ideal for friends, neighbours or your children’s teachers.

For button magnets you’ll need:

• An assortment of buttons – various sizes, styles and shapes in a similar colourway will work best. Or try the same style button in different colours.
  Plain round magnets from craft shops or bargain stores.
• Superglue or hot glue gun

Squeeze a little glue on the backs of the buttons and stick the magnets in the centre. Leave until dry.

For flower magnets you’ll need:

• A bunch of fake flowers from a haberdashery store or bargain store.
• A pair of kitchen scissors (the plastic can be stiff)
• Superglue or hot glue gun
• Plain round magnets from craft stores or bargain stores.

Step one
Pull the flower tops off the wire stems.

Step two
Push the fabric together and hold tightly at the base and cut through the small plastic stem as close to the fabric as possible. You want the stem to sit flush with the fabric holes.

Step three
Holding the flower layers carefully in place, squeeze glue onto the stems and fabric holes then place the magnet in the centre. Hold for a couple of minutes until dry enough to let go and place magnet-side down on a flat surface. Let dry and if need be, squeeze a little more glue in-between the fabric flower layers close to the stem if it looks as though the top layers might come off.

Other things you can try as magnets

• Old keys
• Foreign coins
• Shells