Project: Chalkboard Votive

Posted by Khris in Decor, DIY Projects & Tutorials

Is it ..

… could it be …

… wait … oh yes!

It’s a PROJECT!

A bona fide, real life, DIY Bride project!

I bring you the first project I’ve done for this site in a long, long time. And it’s an easy one for all of you craft neophytes.

Behold, my DIY disciples: the versatile, simple, and cheap chalkboard votive.

What’s a chalkboard votive, you ask? It’s a glass votive cup that’s been sprayed with – get this – chalkboard paint. Genius! (And utterly inspired by some pricey but wonderful chalkboard vases found elsewhere.)

These little guys can be used to house candles or candies or even small bunches of flowers. The cool factor is that you can write whatever you’d like on the outside. Great for place cards, no? Or how above little love notes to your guests? A word of thanks?

Supplies Needed

1. Chalkboard paint (found at craft stores and home improvement centers)
2. Votive cups
3. Newspaper or other covering to protect your work surface
4. Well-ventilated work area (do this outside if at all possible)
5. Chalk

Instructions

1. Cover your work surface with newspaper.
2. Wash and thoroughly dry your votive cups. This removes any gunk and fingerprints to ensure you get a nice, even coverage of paint.
3. Turn the votive cups upside down on the work surface. (So you don’t spray inside the cup.)
4. Spray the votives with chalkboard paint. Hold the paint can about 8″ – 12″ from the cup and spray lightly. Too much paint will leave runny marks down the side of the glass.
5. Let the paint dry per manufacturer’s directions. (About an hour should do. Your time may vary.)
6. Add another coat, if you want. Sometimes it takes a 2nd to cover any spots you may have missed or to get a good base on larger pieces.
7. After the paint is dry, write your message on the votive. Voila!

Notes

1. The paint is seriously stinky! I highly recommend spraying outside.
2. Really let the paint dry completely between coats and before using. If the paint is even the tiniest bit wet, it’ll peel away from the glass when you try to write or you’ll leave permanent chalk indentations.
3. Terra cotta pots work well for this as do larger pieces like vases, bowls, wine bottles, jars. You can use stone, wood, tile — just about any hard surface.
4. Mask off parts of your project to create little areas of chalkboard instead of spraying the whole thing.
5. Don’t spray inside the cup if you’re going to use it for food. The paint is not non-toxic.
6. I that the big pieces of chalk (like for sidewalk art) that had a pointed end were easier to use than the standard skinny chalk sticks.

(the supplies)

(turned upside down and painted)

(the final product, complete with smudgy fingerprints from yours truly)