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    Home » Thrift Store Decor » DIY Magnets Made With Vintage Keys And Old Hardware

    DIY Magnets Made With Vintage Keys And Old Hardware

    This post may contain affiliate links

    You can make vintage key magnets in 10 minutes or less. I went through my stash of antique keys and put together the refrigerator magnets. The project took no more than 10 minutes and I had all this free time so I went on the hunt for more stuff. A short time later I had magnets made from vintage drawer pulls and funky hardware. The magnets have character and are real beauties. They certainly stand out next to my freebie advertising magnets and travel/tourist trap magnets.

    You can make antique key refrigerator magnets in 10 minutes or less. I went through my stash of antique keys and put together the refrigerator magnets.

    Another project that makes me smile. I would hate to see these vintage and antique pieces end up in the metal recycling bin. There are so many things you can do with these. Some people make angel tree ornaments using the antique keys.

    refrigerator magnets

    The long hardware pull is my own unique take on refrigerator magnets. The furniture pull has a magnet on each end. Usually there is one magnet glued to a small decorative item. I can’t do anything the regular way.

    Today is Thrift Store Decor Day and we are welcoming a new blogger on the tour, Pam from House of Hawthornes. My thrifty friends always have a unique take on their budget creations. Links to their posts are listed after my magnet tutorial.

    antique keys for fridge magnets

    I have two jars of keys. One jar is mainly junk keys and the other holds vintage keys. I pulled out 3 of my favorite vintage keys to work with. I noticed the vintage keys are attracted to the magnets but the newer keys aren’t. Different composition.

    vintage hardware and furniture pulls for refrigerator magnets

    These are the pulls and junk things from my hardware stash. As I mentioned earlier I liked the idea of using the long furniture pulls for magnets.

    shine rusty hardware with Howards wax

    First thing I did was polish the hardware with Howard’s wax (wax on Amazon). Some of the pieces were a little rusty and the wax keeps the rust from rubbing off on stuff. I use Howard's Wax on just about everything. It's great for antiquing painted furniture, bringing wood mirrors back to life, softening leather, etc.

    Gorilla Glue to adhere keys to magnets

    I have a package of magnets I bought at Hobby Lobby and I also have some that came from the thrift store. Always check out the small stuff (usually in bags hanging on hooks) at the thrift store. Magnets are pricy. I used clear Gorilla Glue to stick the magnets to the hardware. Not sure how long it takes the glue to dry. I let the magnets sit over night.

    magnets attract

    Notice how I have all the hardware and magnets separated? Put those darn things too close together and they all hug on each other. Not good until the glue dries!

    how to make antique key refrigerator magnets

    Now see, isn’t the long hardware pull cool as a magnet. I wasn’t sure how to best stage the magnets so I just pulled out my folder of inspiration pages torn from magazines and stuck them on the fridge.

    Make Antique Key Fridge Magnets

    The antique keys and vintage hardware magnets are more like art than magnets. I did a good job. Can you see me patting myself on the back. I'm eating a piece of chocolate too.

    diy magnets made from vintage finds displayed on a yellow metal box

    I stuck the magnets on my yellow antique pie safe. They sure pop against the bright yellow. As you can see the pieces will make there way around the house. There are all kinds of things I can stick them on.

    Find magnets and Gorilla Glue here.

     

    vintage hardware and antique keys made into refrigerator magnets

    Which magnet is your favorite? Do you like them? Are you digging through your junk drawer yet? My favorites are.....all of them...I can't pick just one.

    Antique Key Refrigerator Magnets and Vintage Hardware Magnets

    Leave me a note and then click the pink text links below the “before” makeover photo to visit my friends……

    thrift store makeovers

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    Key Hook Cabinet Makeover - Sadie Seasongoods
    Repurposed Thrift Store Tray - House of Hawthornes
    Antique Key Fridge Magnets - Petticoat Junktion (that's me!)

    Thanks for being here and have a great day, Kathy

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. gwen

      June 02, 2022 at 9:43 am

      Who doesn't have spare unmatched drawer pulls, etc? You even reminded me that I have a pie safe just like yours, but unpainted! Thanks for the easy projects!

      Reply
    2. Susan

      June 02, 2022 at 5:52 am

      Great idea
      Thanks for sharing

      Reply
    3. Vee

      February 22, 2018 at 10:58 am

      Great idea! Just wrote this down in my craft idea notebook. Love all of your magnets, so clever!

      Reply
    4. Kathy A

      February 16, 2018 at 7:01 pm

      I love the character than these magnets have especially on your pie safe; my fridge is already covered in STUFF. I like the idea of buttons (or old earrings, too). One place I found to use a few magnets is on the back of my medicine cabinet doors (lists of poisonous plants, how to do CPR, medication info), This Christmas bazaar at church, I put magnets for sale on the metal post supporting the floor joists! There's a lot of places that could use a little adornment!

      Reply
    5. Sonnie

      February 16, 2018 at 6:06 pm

      Great idea! Love the look of them, especially the larger one. You’re so clever.

      Reply
    6. Kathy

      February 15, 2018 at 9:18 pm

      I love the keys! All of them are beautiful!

      Reply
    7. Pam

      February 14, 2018 at 2:32 pm

      Can I say that I just love the fact that you have two key jars!!! Great project!

      Reply
    8. Fonda

      February 14, 2018 at 12:27 pm

      Your magnets have such lovely shapes. These are gorgeous!

      Reply
    9. Maryann

      February 14, 2018 at 11:54 am

      What a cool idea!!! I need to keep my eyes open for magnets at thrift stores - Love it!!!

      Reply
    10. SharonFromMichigan

      February 14, 2018 at 11:43 am

      What a wonderful idea!! I have a huge stash of leftover craft magnets that I had no idea how to use them up, now I do!!! Very clever idea!

      Reply
    11. melinda

      February 14, 2018 at 10:49 am

      Oh how clever! Love how they look...going to raid my junk stash today!

      Reply
    12. Kristin salazar

      February 14, 2018 at 10:46 am

      Now this is awesome, I need to go get some magnets! Thanks for the idea.

      Reply
    13. Janina

      February 14, 2018 at 10:03 am

      I love the long magnets the most! Great idea. I have used beautiful old buttons to make both magnets and push pins. Noe l will have to be on the lookout for old hardware!

      Reply
      • Kathy

        February 15, 2018 at 9:16 pm

        I never would of thought of buttons! I have a jar of old buttons. Thanks for the idea!

    14. gail

      February 14, 2018 at 9:22 am

      I have soooo many pieces of hardware that this would be good for! Brilliant my friend.

      I love them all.
      You're a master of junk Kathy!!

      gail

      Reply
    15. Christy @ Our Southern Home

      February 14, 2018 at 8:52 am

      This is so clever! I never thought of this. Really jazz up the fridge.

      Reply
    16. Angela

      February 14, 2018 at 5:52 am

      I adore these and wish I had a junk pile of old keys and hardware to select from to make my own.
      But, alas, I do not,I will just have to admire yours.

      Reply

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    Hi, I'm Kathy!

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