How to Paint a Sand Dollar

This little craft is right up Grandma Maxine’s alley.  It’s made of something you find instead of buy, and it comes from the heart.  In fact, Grandma told me that she recently took up painting.  Even though we live far apart, doing this craft made me feel closer to her. 

Paint a Custom Made Sand Dollar Magnet

I crafted these sand dollar magnets as thank-you gifts for our friends Rich and Luann in Oregon, who made our trip to the coast so much fun.

If you want to, you can bleach the sand dollars white before you begin.  I did not do this step, preferring the sun-bleaching already done at the beach, but if you'd like to use bleach, here's how:  Soak the sand dollars in three parts water, one part bleach solution.  Bleaching does weaken the sand dollars so you only want to soak them for 10 to 15 minutes.  Let dry in the sun.

Whether or not you bleached your sand dollar, now you cover the top of your sand dollar with Tacky craft glue.  Let it dry for 24 hours.  This seals the sand dollar so that your paint won't soak in.  Next, cover the bottom of your sand dollar with Tacky craft glue.  Let it dry for 24 hours.  This strengthens your sand dollar so that it will not break as easy.  It also seals up the little holes in bottom that spit out sand.  You do not want a spitting-sand-dollar magnet. Next, paint whatever you want on your sand dollar. 

 I used acrylic paints and labeled my pictures with a sharpie.  Next, glue a nice strong magnet on the back of your sand dollar with Tacky craft glue.  Let dry 24 hours.  Now you have fun sand dollar magnets.