DIY Wood Framed Laundry Sign

Most of you know my mom and I have a booth space located in an antique mall.  We’ve always used it as an easy way to unload furniture we paint for the blog, but we’ve not really put much work into it beyond that.  I’m a little embarrassed to admit that over the holidays we just kind of just left the space to manage itself and didn’t really add new inventory or check on it much.  

Fast forward to January, and we decided we really need to put more of an effort into our booth or perhaps maybe give it up.  We shopped thrift stores, and we painted, and we shopped some more.  We’ve really been putting a solid effort in and adding new inventory at least once every single week.  

The effort is paying off and stuff is selling quickly.  It’s been a little chaotic trying to balance home life with young kids, the blog, and the new and improved effort with the booth.  I know we can manage it, but I’m still just trying to find the right balance where I can finish projects on time and also keep my house from not looking like a tornado just rolled through. 

It’s a good idea to have lots of “smalls” in addition to bigger pieces of furniture.  Not only does it make the booth look better, but you sell more product when you have a wide range of prices.  One thing I’ve been toying with is creating signs and chalkboards to add some small items.  Since our Monthly DIY Challenge item this month is 1×2’s, I thought I’d try to create an easy framed wood sign. 

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Now I have to tell you from the beginning, this isn’t really a full-blown tutorial.  I’d never made a sign like this before, and I had to borrow my neighbor’s router.  However, because the sign was really easy to make, I ordered my own router and I promise I’ll do a full tutorial with lots of pictures and exact instructions soon.  In the meantime, here are basic instructions on how I made the sign.  

I used a piece of 1/4″ sanded plywood to create the main section of the sign.  I purchased a 2’x4′ piece and asked the store to cut it into 3 1’x2′ pieces.  Cost of the board was $9.50.  

For the frame, I used a 1″x2″ furring strip (cost was $.85).  I used a miter saw to cut the frame.

I painted the plywood with a coat of primer, then two coats of black paint (or whatever color you want your letters to be).  You can use any type of paint for this.  I used cheap acrylic craft paint and literally just squirted it onto the board then rolled it around with a small foam roller.  

I used a Silhouette machine to cut the letters in vinyl.  (Again, I realize this needs a more in depth tutorial and I’ll get one on the blog soon).  I adhered the vinyl letters to the board, then went over it with another coat of black paint.  This just helps to ensure your letters are crisp.  Once that was dry, I painted over it with white paint (or use whatever color you want the background to be).  I used Annie Sloan chalk paint in Old White for this because I have a ton of it, but again, you can use any type of paint for this.  When it was dry I lightly sanded it before removing the vinyl letters.

 

We used a router with a 1/4″ straight bit to cut a channel into the frame, then I stained it with General Finishes Antique Walnut gel stain.  Then we slid the sign into the router channel of the frame and nailed it into place with a brad nailer.   

My talented friends made their own unique projects using 1×2’s.  I’d love for you to check them out below.  Enjoy the rest of your week!

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