Ferrofluids can be manufactured even at home as it is a simple procedure
. The materials you need are beaker or jar to hold the liquid, oil having a light lubrication and magnetic ink. The powdered ink used in character recognition type of printing would be the best. Pour a cupful of oil in the beaker and magnetic ink should be added in small amounts. After every addition the mixture should be stirred totally so that it is fully wet. You should note that being a suspension, the ink does not dissolve and will only be wet in the oil. You need to keep adding the magnetic ink until you achieve a consistency of oozing liquid. The mixture should not be very thin as then the field of magnetism will not function properly. After some trials with getting the right consistency, hover a magnet which is hard above the mixture of ferrofluid in the beaker. If you have managed to get the right consistency, the ferrofluid will rise to form peaks of a jagged nature or other pointed shapes.