The downside? Chalkboard paint is expensive, and I still have most of that can left over. The solution, clearly, is to create more chalkboards! Fortunately, there are loads of project and design ideas that call for the upcycling of even more useless objects with chalkboard paint, turning those items, too, into useful and beautiful new elements for work, home, and play. Here are five project ideas to get you started: My girls and I all really like to custom-paint our own cheap-o canvas shoes, but the results don’t exactly go with every outfit, especially if we go a little wild with the paint (which we always do). If your original project called for a light-colored chalkboard paint, especially, check out this tutorial from Sew Can Do, in which she upcycled her canvas shoes with chalkboard paint, resulting in a fresh canvas and a new design for every outfit or occasion. Even dark chalkboard paint would work here, and would give your shoes more contrast, because if you’re going to spend all that effort remodeling them, then you definitely want them to be noticed! [The image on this page is the property of Sew Can Do.] Next » Remember my obsession with upcycling hangers? Yeah, I’m still on that kick. Found on CRAFT, Jessica Wilson of scrumdilly-do! upcycles wood-bottomed hangers with chalkboard paint in order to make organizers for sewing works-in-progress. It’s a tidy and efficient way to store unfinished sewing, since you can clip all elements of the project together in one place, and store it upright and out of the way on a hanging rod, but it’s also pretty cute, too, and so if you want to keep it on your doorknob so everyone can see it, then you can! [The image on this page is courtesy of scrumdilly-do! and Craftzine.] Next » Since I replaced all my old picture frames recently, I am thrilled by this project from bspoke, which uses chalkboard paint to turn an old picture frame, glass and all, into a chalkboard message board. There’s absolutely no waste with this project–you can even leave your crappy art underneath the glass if you don’t want it anymore–and since the frame stays intact, it’s easy to hang it right back up to start its new life. [The image on this page is the property of bspoke.] Next » For a chalkboard that’s a more artsy experience, Ruffles and Stuff combines the principles of creating a silhouette with chalkboard paint in order to create a chalkboard silhouette, both decorate and useful–and a great gift idea! For bonus points, combine this project with the chalkboard picture frame project. [The image on this page is the property of Ruffles and Stuff.] Next » If you’re smarter than me (and I just bet that you are!), then you’re probably thinking that buying an entire quart of pricey chalkboard paint just to make a chalkboard globe was overkill. Instead of buying more expensive paint than you need, why don’t you just make exactly the right amount of paint yourself–cheaply?!? My Nerdy Nook is smarter than me, too, and that’s why her tutorial for making your own chalkboard paint is such a hit. Grab some tile grout (also useful for mosaic-making) and make your own chalkboard paint in exactly the color that you want, and in much more manageable amounts than the one-quart can currently hanging out in my basement. [The image on this page is the property of My Nerdy Nook.]
