We've said this before, but one of the best things about Indie Craft Parade is getting to know the awesome people in the maker community. These connections can provide new friendships, networking connections, business opportunities, and they always supply creative inspiration. For this guest post, we called in one of the amazing connections we've made---the ever lovely Emily Jeffords.
We asked Emily to supply a project for us...and she did something awesome: DIY CHALKBOARD LETTERING. This is an amazing idea. Who doesn't love beautifully hand lettered designs? And now you can do it yourself!
So without further ado, take it away, Emily!
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Hello! I’m so happy to be guest blogging for one of my favorite groups, Indie Craft Parade! I’m sure you have noticed the growing chalkboard lettering craze sweeping America and Europe right now. It’s pretty awesome. Well, it’s awesome if you have freakishly amazing handwriting (which I don’t!) I can barely write an address on an envelope with grace. Sadly, I’m going to have to leave the hand-lettering to the likes of Dana Tanamachi and Molly Jaques.
The good news: those of us who aren’t Dana Tanamachi can still have amazing chalkboards with freakishly amazing typography and precision (we just need a teensy bit of help from the computer…. Shhh.)
Oh, and lefties, you’re in luck. Because you don’t have to do one bit of writing, you can work from right to left! You should have seen me working on this baby upside down, sideways, and backwards!
This chalkboard DIY is so stylish, so trendy, and so, so easy.
Things I leaned during this DIY:
1. Chalkboard spray paint is a total joke. Just use flat black paint and mix in a tiny bit of clear gesso or unsanded tile grout. I didn’t try the paint can variety. Maybe it’s amazing? 2. Really, really, really cover the paper with chalk. It will save you so much time in the long run. 3. You might want to do a few words with larger text… not going to lie, this took quite a while because my text was so small (and I’m a bit of a perfectionist.) 4. A small paintbrush + water is like a magic eraser.
I hope this inspires you to have fun creating something amazing and original.