Chalkboarding

I took up a new hobby/skill: chalkboarding.

Tina from Tinamadeit (and Whatever Is Lovely Event Planning) asked me to do a few signs for a wedding client of hers (she does some event planning), so I started fooling around with using chalkmarkers and various trendy fonts I’ve seen on coffee shop chalkboards lately. I had done some work for a previous wedding a few years back (on chalkboard painted wine bottles), and I’d done some lettering here and there on things like my kitchen chalkboard and nightstands. I wasn’t a pro, but I thought “what the hey! let’s give it a try!”

Armed with a few chalkboard markers and a Mister Clean Magic Eraser*, I went to work. (*A note on the Magic Eraser: these things are amazing. I first heard about them from my artist friend Jenny Goto, who taught me they erase scuff marks on gallery walls). I started with 2 small framed chalkboards for the reception area, then moved on to tackle the wedding sandwich board.

Shortly after this job, I was asked by our friends Martin and Tina (different than Tina Made It) to help them with their wedding chalkboard. I had been practicing a few more fonts, and jumped at the opportunity! I used blue painters tape and a ruler to help me lay out proportions and make sure things were straight. I made a ton of mistakes and had to erase a LOT. Thank God for Mister Clean Magic Erasers!

My most recent job was another collab with Tina Made It. She was in charge of decorations for her church’s Thanksgiving potluck, and needed a sign. I tried to add a few more fonts to my arsenal this time…

So far, there’s been good response to the signage. One person even told me I need to stop pastoring and go into a chalkboarding business full time. Is that supposed to mean that I’m good at chalkboarding or bad at pastoring? Not sure. Until I figure it out, I’m going to be doing both. 🙂

My next project is (hopefully) a large multi-panel chalkboard display for our church’s foyer for Advent/Christmas. Stay tuned for pics of that one!