News & Observer | newsobserver.com | 2008 NCAA Men's Bracket

What's that? a quilt? a coaster? no! It's a magnet board, by April of Moore Magnets. Here are a few words from April:

1st - My name is April, I am a Cary, NC native and when I grew up in Cary it was an itty bitty town of probably no more than 15,000 people.  My parents Anna Moore and Gene Moore always encouraged me to do whatever I wanted to do. I am sure making Magnet Boards was not something they thought about.  However, their encouragement provided me with the insight that using power tools was something that a girl could do.  I am married to a wonderful and supportive husband, Ken. He was a bit surprised to learn that I had as many if not more power tools than most of the men he knew, but is very happy to have a wife that isn't afraid to pick up a hammer and a circular saw. 

2nd - I love making functional art.  I started making magnet boards when my husband and I were living in a 2 bedroom house with our 3 boys.  I was looking for functional decorations that would suit all of our boys who ranged in age from 2 to 10 at that time.  I found lots of cork boards, but couldn't imagine putting push pins in a 2-year old's room.  Magnet Boards seemed like a perfect option, but the only ones I could find were at the office supply store and they were all so drab and sterile.  So I pulled out my tools and started trying to make something that would look a lot nicer.

3rd - I  make all of my magnet boards starting from 4-foot by 8-foot sheets of material, so I can make custom sizes depending on customers' needs.  The largest magnet board that I have made so far was 38 inches by 46 inches.

4th - I make magnet boards for the young and the old; the entire look can be changed depending on the fabric that is chosen.

5th - At TheHandmadeNetwork.com, which I developed, buyers and artists can see sales and specials currently going on at all of my member's Etsy stores.