We’ve discussed the cool things you can do with chalkboards, and Travis and I are incorporating a few of them into our wedding decor.  But rather than buying them, we’re making them ourselves!

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I didn’t realize it before, but chalkboards can be expensive!!  So we did what we’ve been doing with almost every aspect of the wedding: we got crafty.

Here’s how we made a chalkboard of our own:

First, we bought this poster frame at a Japanese discount home goods store for $5.  We like the dark frame (and who cares if it’s faux-wood?) and it has a pretty sturdy backboard.  We removed the plastic panel (which is supposed to be like glass and protect whatever poster you put in it) and unhinged the backboard.

Note: The backboard is smooth, which is why this project worked.  If you try this yourself, make sure you’re working with a smooth surface (otherwise, replace it with one.)

We bought a can of chalkboard spray paint, also $5.  We chose this for two reasons: it’s cheaper than a quart of chalkboard paint ($12) and it allows for a quick, easy, mess-free application.

I took the backboard outside, sprayed it with the paint until it was evenly coated, and left it to dry for about an hour.  Then, I did another coat.

I put the new-and-improved backboard into the frame, and we had our chalkboard for $10!

How’d we do?  Have you ever used chalkboard paint (or spray paint!) before?  How’d it turn out?