Summer Project Ideas ~ Beachy Chalkboard

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It’s summer.  It’s hot.  We get bored.  To combat my boredom this summer I decided to do a summer project ideas series.

A collection of Summer Project Ideas.  Projects that are quick and easy enough for the older kids with a little supervision.

Ideas that use leftover pieces of wood laying around the garage.  Projects that would sell at yard sales or craft fairs too.  Let’s earn some money this summer! 🙂

 

You can download a one-sheet printable of this project at the bottom of this post.

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Beachy Chalkboard

List of supplies:

• A piece of 1-inch thick board.  Mine is 1″ by 10″ by 8 1/2″ But any size for a tabletop chalkboard will work.
• 3″ piece of 1/2″ dowel
• Handsaw or miter saw
• Drill and bit the same size as your dowel
• Chalkboard Paint
• Paintbrush
• A piece of rope or molding about 7 “
• Wood glue
• Craft glue
• 7 to 10 small seashells
• Small paintbrush
• Cream craft paint
• Chalk
• Sandpaper

Steps

1.  I dug in the workshop for a piece of wood about 8 by 10.  This is what came outta the wood pile.  I lightly sanded the edges.  Then measured from the center of the board and made a mark 1 1/2 inches from the edge.  See the little “X?”

2. Cut a piece of dowel to 3″.

3. Grab a 1/2″ drill bit add a piece of tape about 1/2 inch from the end.  Drill to the tape.  This keeps from drilling through your chalkboard!

4.  Add a dollop of wood glue into the hole and tap in the dowel.  This is an easy way to make a stand.

5.  Paint two coats of chalkboard paint.  I used water based and a paintbrush.  Most use a foam brush or roller, but I like the character the brush adds to the chalkboard.

6.  Can you tell I’m at the end of my rope!  It’s all curled up!  Wish my hair would curl that well. :/

Summer Chalkboard

Place a bead of craft glue along the bottom edge about an inch from the edge.  Lay the rope into the glue.  I weighed down the curly rope with a book to dry.

7.  Glue a collection of seashells around the chalkboard.  I gathered mine along one side of the rope.

8.  Using a small craft brush paint on seashells too and I added little “dots of sand.”

9.  Prime the chalkboard by laying a piece of chalk on the side and covering the chalkboard.  Then erase.  Now your chalkboard is ready for notes or summer sayings.

Here’s something I learned with this project…

I’ve painted wood with chalkboard paint for years.  I’ve primed newly painted chalkboards for years too.  I never thought about the way the chalk catches in the wood grain!  See above next to “Sandy!”

I think I’ve got an idea for my NEXT chalkboard!  Stay tuned!

I don’t have a schedule for these posts.  I do have a long list of projects.  The series will stop at mid-August.  Hope you follow along.

 

There are a few ideas for other versions of this project.

• Add a clip to the top to hold photos or recipes.
• Use to hold mobile phones, iPad or tablets.
• Check the molding aisle for molding that would hold a book.  Great for recipe books.

Here’s the one-page download printable project sheet.

If you’re interested in selling your crafts online, this Esty book has great info.

You can see the swimsuit chalkboard displayed on the mantel with other nautical decor projects here.

Let me know what you think of the summer project ideas in comments below.  Thank you for reading along!