Magnetic office supplies holder

WHAT IT TAKES

Time: 1 hour

Skill level: Beginner

Here’s a perfect way to organize all those paper clips, rubber bands and pushpins. All it takes is a magnetic knife/tool holder strip, small jars with lids and a few fender washers. (The strips are sold at bath stores, hardware stores, home centers and online retailers.) You don’t even need the fender washers if you buy jars with steel lids that will stick to the magnet on their own.

Clamp the magnetic strips to the underside of a shelf or cabinet. Drill pilot holes and screw the strip into place (Photo 1). If the jars have steel lids, fill them with office supplies and stick them up on the magnetic strip. If the jar lids are aluminum or plastic, use cyanoacrylate glue (Super Glue is one brand) to attach a fender washer to the top of each lid (Photo 2). After they dry, fill the jars, stick them up on the magnet and think about some other project to do instead of the work waiting for you on your desk.

TIP:

It’s important to keep computer components at least 6 in. away from magnets

1

Clamp the magnetic strip in place, drill pilot holes and drive in the screws that come with the strips.

2

Glue fender washers to plastic or aluminum jar lids so they’ll stick to the magnetic strip. Skip this step if your jars have steel lids.