Madhubani or Mithila paintings are one of the traditional paintings of India and are known for their bright colors and distinct style. In this tutorial here, we try to bring this beautiful art form in small colorful magnets made out of clay.
How to make Clay Magnets in Madhubani style – Tutorial:
Step 1:
Polymer clay or self-hardening clay (such as Shilpkar from Fevicryl) can be used for this project. I have used self-hardening clay fin this tutorial.
Roll the clay in your palms and make a small ball.
Step 2:
Flatten the ball with you hands to get a circular base in the desired size.
Step 3:
Draw the outline of the chosen Madhubani design on the clay and allow the clay to harden for an hour or so. It will air dry and harden.
Step 4:
Once the clay has hardened well, we start painting using acrylic colors.
As we paint..
The black outlines are painted…
And finally the white dotted lines are painted around. This dotted line gives a good finish to the design.
Step 5:
Once the paint is dry, glue on a magnet to the back of the piece.
Step 6:
Apply a coat of clear varnish to protect the paint. The varnish may require few hours to dry well.
I made a few more of these clay magnets in different designs.
This guy here is my favorite.. look he’s just so colorful!
Note :Â If Polymer clay is used, it has to be baked so that the model hardens. If it is M Seal or Fevicryl Shilpkar clay, then it will air dry and harden.
its really nice….and simple…..
So beautiful! Thanks for sharing this:)
Hi,
What is the clear varnish that you have used for this? is there any other substitue?
Clear varnish is your best bet… it should be easily available in hardware stores.
Ur space is simply awesome..very creative work indeed
Where do I find these magnets??
Thank you! Should be available in stationery / hardware / craft supply stores.
Hi,
Lovely work, I would like to make this kind of magnets. I reside in chennai. Could you please tell me, where you get – Self hardening clay, and these magnets please.
Available in craft stores.
I got the Air dry clay in a stationery shop in Adyar, But the magents I enquired in many places but couldn’t find anywhere. Can you please tell me where we can buy these magnets please
I guess I bought the magnets also from RS shopping Adyar.
Hi Ramya, Thanks I got the magnets from RS stationery, thanks a lot for your Tutorial, i made some jewelry and a magnet. and they came out nice. once again thanks , you are my guru in this 🙂
Glad to know!! 😀 😀
Very Nice work…I am feeling motivated to try few of them myself. Too innovative!!!
Wow….. Very impressive.
But where will I find magnets to buy? I searched all the hardware stores in Bangalore. Can I get the place to find magnets in C.V.Raman Nagar or Marthalli or Tipasandra?
Dear Ramya,
I loved the Madhubani magnets too! Great idea!
regards,
Saraswati
Thank you!!!