heidikins.com

Doin’ It Myself: How to Make a Magnetic Message Center

It has been a month or two since I completed my chalkboard-message center and hung it on the wall in the kitchen.  I can hardly believe how much I have used that thing!  I keep a running grocery shopping list all week in one, easy-to-see place instead of the 5-million post-its, multiple envelopes and bits of scrap paper system I had been using previously.

In my kitchen–like many of yours–counter space is at a premium.  The 24-inch space in between the refrigerator and the stove is my primary work station and it fills up quickly with mixing bowls, flour and sugar bins, and a cutting board.  My recipe box has a slot on the top to keep a recipe card standing at attention, ready to be referred to…however due to lack of counter-space I rarely take advantage of this super-high-tech feature.  More often than not I prop the recipe card on the top of the sugar bin, or nestle it among the basket of fresh fruit; and undoubtedly it slips and I pick it up with grimy fingers, leaving smudges.

You can see where this is going, right?

In the comments of my chalkboard tutorial, many of you asked if you could make a magnetic chalkboard.  I am pleased to announce that yes, you can.  However, because I already had a large swath of chalkboard in my kitchen, I opted to simply make a magnetic message board instead.  This project has been completed and hung above my primary work station for a little more than a week and I am shocked at how much I use this already!  Whip It Up–I’m totally ready for you!

I am asking forgiveness in advance, I didn’t take a single photo until the whole thing was done, don’t be mad, ok?  I will still give you detailed step-by-step instructions so you can replicate and reap the benefits of a giant, shiny-magnetic recipe holder.

How to make a magnetic message center:

Materials Needed:

• Sturdy wooden tray, in a large-ish size (mine is about 14″ x 24″)
• Spray paint in your color of choice, spray primer, sandpaper
• Piece of sheet metal, cut 1/4″ smaller than tray bottom
• 1/4″ – 1/2″ ribbon
• Tacky glue
• Heavy books, weights, etc.
• Picture hanger, nails, hammer
• Magnets

Step 1: Scour thrift stores or craft stores to find a large-ish wooden tray.

Step 2: Measure the inside of the bottom of the tray and subtract 1/4″ on both the width and length.  Memorize these measurements (or, ya know, write them down).  Go to your home improvement center of choice and find the aisle with the steel sheet metal.  This comes in a variety of sizes, finishes and textures.  You will want the smallest piece that fits your measurements in a smooth finish.

Step 3: If you have tin-snips, you can take this home and snip away.  If not, track down a helpful employee and ask if they will cut the metal to your specifications.  (This is easier when you go on a slow, weekday evening as opposed to say, a Saturday morning.)

Step 4: Sand down the tray, removing any excess paint or schmutz.  Wipe away the residue with a clean cloth.

Step 5: Prime the wood with a spray primer, I used Krylon Primer in gray, and wait for it to dry.  You don’t need to paint the bottom of the tray, it will be covered with the piece of steel.

Step 6: Spray paint the tray in your color of choice, let dry for a few minutes and add a second coat.  (Follow the instructions on the can of paint.)  I chose the same fire-engine red I used on my chalkboard, seeing as how they’re in the same room I didn’t want them to clash.

Step 7: After the paint is completely dry, you need to carefully spread copious amounts of glue on one side of the piece of steel.  Spread it around with your fingers or a paintbrush.  Let sit a minute or two until it’s tacky and carefully position it on the bottom of your tray, pressing really hard to keep it flat.

Step 8: Stack as much heavy stuff as possible onto the tray to keep the steel flat and air-bubble-free while it’s drying.  I used a bunch of outdated magazines, and heavy books on top of that (don’t want to get tacky glue on my beautiful hardbacks!) and even a couple of 5-pound dumbells.  Let dry overnight.

Step 9: Measure and trim the ribbon to cover the seam between the edge of the tray and the edge of the stainless steel.  Miter the corners by snipping the ribbon at a 45-degree angle for a cleaner finish.  Use hot glue or tacky glue to glue it into place, you may also need to stack heavy items on top of this to prevent puckering or bubbling.

Step 10: After everything is completely dry, you need to screw a picture hanger on the back of the tray, making sure it’s centered.  I also used a couple of spare rubber sticker-feet that are used to prevent cabinets from slamming shut to buffer the bright red tray from my beige-ish wall.

Step 11: Fill this baby up with the recipes you want to try this week and be amazed at how your tray-slash-recipe-holder-slash-message-center will become indispensable overnight!  (The hibiscus flower is a magnet that I picked up on my last trip to Hawaii.  You could definitely paint or even decoupage some kind of ornamentation onto the stainless steel if you wanted to.)

Adding up the receipts:

• Tray: $2.00
• Paint & Primer:  about $1.50 (left over from another project)
• Sheet metal:  $5.47
• Ribbon:  $0.97
• Mini Magnets:  $1.37

Total Cost:  $11.41

15 Comments so far
Leave a comment