Magnetic Chalkboard Spice Rack

Perfect for those who love to both cook and craft!

This was a great project which I plan to give away for Christmas this year and the best part is, it can be done on a budget. A word to the wise, this was not an easy project. In theory, it's easy. In practice, there are some issues that you may run into. Maybe someone else knows a way to fix the issues I'll discuss below. If so, please comment and let me know! =)

This project uses a metal platter, which can usually be found at a thrift shop if you want to do this project on a budget like I did. I was able to get three platters for under $5!

What you'll need:

- Chalkboard Paint (I used spray Paint)

- Metal platter (that a magnet will stick to)

- Painter's tape

- 6-10 Small lidded containers

- Strong magnets (as many as you have of the small containers)

- Glue (E6000 recommended)

- Chalk pen (I wouldn't recommend trying normal chalk although maybe I'm just too cautious)

- Q-tips and acetone for removing stray paint

- Newspaper for painting on

Step 1: Tape your platter. Tape anything you don't want paint on. This can take a while when you have curved edges like I did. Make it simpler by purchasing a square platter. The nicer you tape, the less work ahead. I did not tape as nicely as I should have, which is another reason this became tedious.

Step 2: Clean the surface of the platter to remove any dust or dirt and wait until dry. When dry, take paint and platter to well ventilated area and follow directions on paint can. Do two to three coats, letting dry for a few minutes between coats.

Step 3: Remove lids from containers. Paint them too following same directions as above.

Step 4: Let everything dry. Don't rush it. I left mine out overnight.

Step 5: Remove tape. Check to make sure paint produced smooth looking edges. This is where I ran into trouble. The middle of my patters looked great but the edges of the paint were very

ragged looking. I have to use acetone to remove paint where it was jagged. It took quite awhile. I wonder if using regular paint instead of spray paint would have produced better results. I also should have taped more carefully to begin with.

Step 6: Glue magnets on to bottoms of containers and let dry.

Step 7: Cover entire chalkboard and chalkboard lids with chalk pen ink. You can let it pool and then smear it everywhere instead of trying to color in whole board. You don't want to skip this step. Otherwise, the first thing you wrote will stick on to the board, and you'll be able to see it even after erased. Erase chalk with damp towel and you're ready to write!

Step 8: Put some spices in containers and label them with chalk pen. Stick them to

platter and Ta-Da! You have a magnetic chalkboard!

Wanna hang it? Follow these steps:

You'll need:

- Your already made chalkboard platter

- Glue (E6000)

- Strong tape (packing tape or duct tape whould both work)

- Ribbon of you're choice

Step 1: Cut about 1-1/2 feet of ribbon. tie bow in middle so that there is the same amount of ribbon lefter over on each side.

Step 2: Glue ribbon to back of board making it as long or as short as you'd like. Let dry.

Step 3: After a few hours of drying, place a large strip of tape over both ribbons.

Step 4: Hang it! Adjust bow as needed to hang straight.

UPDATE:

I love to improve upon old designs. I found new containers for my spice rack. They are perfect because the are lightweight enough to work with magnets and have little windows so you can see the spices!

I found the containers at Hobby Lobby in the scrap-booking supplies organization section.

For more DIY fun, Check out these posts:

DIY stocking stuffer earrings. Cheap and easy to make

How to make a Chalkboard Necklace

Make Ink blots into Framed Art

Swarovski Christmas Tree Earrings

Succulent garden… in a fish bowl!