Magnetic hairpin holder
Simple arts and crafts idea for storing hair clips
Online since: 20/01/2022,
Number of visits: 34166
1
Anyone who loves to create beautiful hairstyles with hair slides and hairpins likely knows the problem: These hair accessories often mysteriously disappear after use and then reappear someplace else around the house.
(But only after you went and bought new ones.) Has that happened to you? Using our neodymium magnets,
we have come up with a creative solution to store hairpins, hair slides and small hair clips in a way that is decorative and keeps them readily at hand.
Here we will show you how you can make a creative holder for storing hair slides yourself in just a few steps.
To make the concrete magnetic hairpin holder, you will need the following materials:
- Craft cement
- Container in the desired shape for moulding the cement, e.g. yoghurt pots
- Strong disc magnets, for example, neodymium disc magnets type S-15-08-N or S-25-07-N
- Scissors
- Paintbrush
- Acrylic paint
- A strong adhesive such as UHU MAX REPAIR
- Sandpaper with different grit sizes
- Felt in different colours
1.
Casting the cement
The first step is to shape the concrete to form the hairpin holder. To do this, use craft cement available at retail stores. It is sold in small quantities and easy to work with. Mix the cement according to the manufacturer’s packaging instructions. The quantity to mix depends on the desired size of the holder. To achieve the correct ratio of cement and water, it is best if you use a pair of scales.
The first step is to shape the concrete to form the hairpin holder. To do this, use craft cement available at retail stores. It is sold in small quantities and easy to work with. Mix the cement according to the manufacturer’s packaging instructions. The quantity to mix depends on the desired size of the holder. To achieve the correct ratio of cement and water, it is best if you use a pair of scales.
Please note: The container you use for mixing the concrete will be scratched, and concrete residue will remain.
2.
Filling the cement into the moulds
For our hairpin holder, we used old yoghurt pots as moulds for the cement. Various other plastic containers are also suitable, such as egg holders for the refrigerator. The advantage of yoghurt pots is that they can be cut to remove the cement.
Please note: The concrete adopts every pattern of your mould. On our hairpin holder, cast from yoghurt pots, the production number from the bottom of the pot is easily visible. But that gives our holder that certain something.
For our hairpin holder, we used old yoghurt pots as moulds for the cement. Various other plastic containers are also suitable, such as egg holders for the refrigerator. The advantage of yoghurt pots is that they can be cut to remove the cement.
Please note: The concrete adopts every pattern of your mould. On our hairpin holder, cast from yoghurt pots, the production number from the bottom of the pot is easily visible. But that gives our holder that certain something.
3. Embedding the magnet
To make sure that, in the end, the magnet is in the upper part of the holder, first fill your container up to 1/4 with cement. Don’t waste any time or the fresh cement will start to harden. Tilt the mould to evenly distribute the cement and remove any air bubbles by lightly tapping it on the table. Next, press the disc magnet into the cement. Cover the magnet with enough fresh cement or fill the mould completely. Now the concrete has to dry well and harden in the process. This will take about a week.
Note from the supermagnete team:
To ensure the magnet has enough holding power through the concrete and the distance to the hairpins, hair slides and small hair clips, you have to use a sufficiently strong magnet.
The rule is: The bigger the concrete holder, the stronger the adhesive force of the magnet must be.
For the hairpin organiser that we crafted with a yoghurt pot, we used a S-25-07-N
disc magnet made of neodymium.
Smaller versions
For smaller holders, we tried the same method with the type of egg holder commonly found in a refrigerator. The disadvantage of such moulds are the relatively small spaces between the individual egg cups. As a result, the magnets could attract each other and then rest at an angle inside the mould. Unfortunately, the fresh cement can not prevent this. Therefore fill such moulds with sufficient distance from each other.
Tip: Rubbing cooking oil on the inside of the mould before filling it will make it easier to remove the dried holder from the mould.
For smaller holders, we tried the same method with the type of egg holder commonly found in a refrigerator. The disadvantage of such moulds are the relatively small spaces between the individual egg cups. As a result, the magnets could attract each other and then rest at an angle inside the mould. Unfortunately, the fresh cement can not prevent this. Therefore fill such moulds with sufficient distance from each other.
Tip: Rubbing cooking oil on the inside of the mould before filling it will make it easier to remove the dried holder from the mould.
4.
Finishing the moulded piece
You can tell whether the craft cement is dry by its light colour. When removing the mould, make sure that there is no concrete flaking off the magnetic holder as this would ruin its shape. Unevenness in the cement or protruding edges can be removed with coarse sandpaper. If the surface is very scratched afterwards, you can repeat the process with finer sandpaper to achieve a nice surface.
You can tell whether the craft cement is dry by its light colour. When removing the mould, make sure that there is no concrete flaking off the magnetic holder as this would ruin its shape. Unevenness in the cement or protruding edges can be removed with coarse sandpaper. If the surface is very scratched afterwards, you can repeat the process with finer sandpaper to achieve a nice surface.
5.
Decorating the hairpin holder
If you are satisfied with the look of your moulded piece, you can move on to painting and get as creative as you like. Acrylic paint, wall paint or spray paint are ideal. We also recommend applying two coats of paint to achieve better coverage and a beautiful paint finish. Let your masterpiece dry thoroughly before you continue with the final step.
If you are satisfied with the look of your moulded piece, you can move on to painting and get as creative as you like. Acrylic paint, wall paint or spray paint are ideal. We also recommend applying two coats of paint to achieve better coverage and a beautiful paint finish. Let your masterpiece dry thoroughly before you continue with the final step.
6.
Cutting the felt to size
To prevent the concrete from scratching or damaging your table or shelf, add a felt bottom to your holder for hairpin storage. A large selection of felt fabric sheets in beautiful colours can be found in every arts and crafts shop. Trace the outline of the holder on the felt sheet of your choice and cut it out. Add craft glue to the felt piece and press firmly onto the bottom of the holder. Afterwards, you can trim the excess fabric with scissors.
Tip: Match the colour scheme with the furnishings in your bedroom or bathroom. It will turn your DIY hairpin storage into a decorative element.
To prevent the concrete from scratching or damaging your table or shelf, add a felt bottom to your holder for hairpin storage. A large selection of felt fabric sheets in beautiful colours can be found in every arts and crafts shop. Trace the outline of the holder on the felt sheet of your choice and cut it out. Add craft glue to the felt piece and press firmly onto the bottom of the holder. Afterwards, you can trim the excess fabric with scissors.
Tip: Match the colour scheme with the furnishings in your bedroom or bathroom. It will turn your DIY hairpin storage into a decorative element.
Ready for immediate use
Your masterpiece is finished! The magnetic holder can now hold your hairpins, hair slides and small hair clips with ease. But only if you actually place them on the holder and don’t leave them lying around.
Other uses
The cement holder is not only suitable for hair accessories but is also an eye-catching feature in the office. That’s because other metal objects will also stick to it. For example, use the holder for your paperclips or your small keys so you won’t lose them in the desk drawer. Our tip: If the key is not ferromagnetic and therefore won’t adhere, attach a key ring to it.
If you are looking for an Easter gift, you can also make a cement paperclip holder with the help of eggshells. Find out how in our customer project Cement eggs with magnetic appeal.
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