DIY Holiday Ruler Box Magnets

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy for more information.

Side view and closeup of five ruler box magnets made from vintage yardsticks filled with holiday miniatures on a round decorative silver metal platter hanging on a dark green wood wall. Clockwise: Magnet 1features a miniature pink deer, candy cane and red glitter pinecone, Magnet 2 had a mini red santa mailbox next to a snow flocked green brush tree, Magnet 3 had a mint green deer miniature with a white bottle brush tree with red, blue and yellow ornaments on it, Magnet 4 has a red truck with a white bottle brush tree in the back, a candy cane and red glitter pinecone, Magnet 5 has a red oil lamp miniature with a bow and red berries on it next to a green bottle brush tree flocked with snow.

Repurpose vintage wood yardsticks into adorable ruler box magnets!

These vintage-style magnets make great gifts. They’re also an inexpensive make-to-sell item for craft fairs or pop-up shows!

I originally made ruler box magnets to display air plants on my refrigerator.

They came out so cute that I decided to make a few more to sell in my antique booth but this time I added Christmassy bits and miniatures that I had in my craft bin.

Closeup square feature photo holding a ruler box magnet in one hand that features a miniature pink deer standing in greenery with a little snow brush on it. In the same yardstick box is a candy cane and a miniature red glittered pinecone. In the background is a round silver platter turned magnet board to hold four more holiday magnets made from vintage yardsticks.

You could certainly make them for different holidays by switching up the greenery and miniatures. Below is a list of supplies you’ll need and steps to make them!

Supplies

How to Make Ruler Box Magnets – 5 Easy Steps

STEP 1: Cut the Wood Ruler Pieces

Use a miter box and a handsaw to cut the wood ruler pieces.

You will need three (3-inch pieces) for the front, back, and bottom of your box. And, two (1.25-inch pieces) for the sides.

Overhead process shot of cutting wood a wood yardstick into pieces with a hand saw and miter box to make wood ruler box magnets.
Cut ruler/yardstick pieces with a hand saw and miter box.

Tip: Use pieces from inexpensive wood rulers from the office store for the parts you won’t see like the back or bottom of the box!

++++++++

Advertisement

Craftidly Designs Horizontal Ad for Flower Market Paris SVG.

++++++++

STEP 2: Sand

Use a sanding block to sand any rough edges.

Process photo showing a piece of the ruler box with a sanding block in the background.
Sand rough edges.

STEP 3: Make the boxes

Apply wood glue and tap one tack nail into each side to make a box.

Photo of seven finished miniature boxes made from wood rulers and yardsticks. There is on held up to show the sides, front and inside of the box and six other on a table below with just the front sides showing.
My finished boxes.

Don’t worry about making these tiny boxes perfect. A couple of mine have extra nail holes from nails that didn’t catch and wood pieces that overhang a little. This is one of those imperfectly, perfect crafts!

STEP 4: Add Magnets

I found that using GE GE500 Silicone 2+ Window and Door Caulk to attach refrigerator magnets to the back of these little boxes gives a lasting hold. Apply a generous amount under and around the sides of the magnet and let dry for 12 hours.

Photo of GE Silicone adhesive used to glue two magnets to the back of one ruler box. Shown are two magnets side by side on the back of a ruler box with a generous amount of silicone adhesive applied. Above is the tube of silicone that I purchased at Walmart and a set of .6 inch round magnets in original packaging that can be found at Dollar Tree.
Glue magnets to the back.

STEP 5: Add Miniatures

Use hot glue to glue decorations and greenery to the inside of your ruler box.

Closeup of five ruler box magnets made from vintage yardsticks filled with holiday miniatures on a round decorative silver metal platter hanging on a dark green wood wall. Clockwise: Magnet 1features a miniature pink deer, candy cane and red glitter pinecone, Magnet 2 had a mini red santa mailbox next to a snow flocked green brush tree, Magnet 3 had a mint green deer miniature with a white bottle brush tree with red, blue and yellow ornaments on it, Magnet 4 has a red truck with a white bottle brush tree in the back, a candy cane and red glitter pinecone, Magnet 5 has a red oil lamp miniature with a bow and red berries on it next to a green bottle brush tree flocked with snow. Please pin this image to your Pinterest holiday craft board to come back to later.

++++++++

Click here to sign up for my weekly newsletter and stay up on the latest!

++++++++

RELATED IDEAS IN MINIATURE SIZE:

Photo of beautiful vintage and new brooch pins used to make statement bracelets.

Related Post


Turn old brooches into beautiful statement bracelets!

Read More: How to Make a Pretty Brooch Pin Bracelet

++++++++

Watch A Video

Link to the full tutorial here –> Wood Snowflake Decoration Made From Wood Shims

More diyS