Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Chalkboard cannisters - DIY

Are you sighing already when you see new uses for chalkboard paint? I know it's all over the place, but I think that's partly because it's so practical.

Take these for instance. Perfectly serviceable tea tins that I didn't want to just toss out. But the labels are not removable and sadly, they aren't quite pretty enough to stay as they are. (They have nutrition facts on the back. Despite the fact that all the values are zero, because it is TEA.) EDIT: I wasn't clear enough about the nature of the labels - they are actually screen printed on, not just stuck on, so it really is impossible to remove them.

DSC_4347
{tea tins}

Solution? Carefully tape them off.

DSC_4349
{prepping}

Prime them. Paint them with chalkboard paint.

DSC_4389
{enjoying}

Write the contents on them in chalk and change it up as often as you like. You could do this project with any container, really. Leftover glass jars with a rectangle of chalkboard paint might be my next project. My sister and I were talking this weekend about doing this with larger containers for pantry storage in her new house. It's a bit like Martha's etching idea, but without the hazardous chemicals or the commitment.

Maybe I just like chalkboard paint because I am indecisive.


*This tutorial is provided for personal use only. Please do not sell this tutorial or create items for re-sale using this tutorial. Tutorial may be re-published only with my permission.

38 comments:

  1. And voila, charming, adorable candy tins :)

    Bravo darling!

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  2. what a fabulous idea. I may need to try this one:)

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  3. I love this idea! And personally still love new chalkboard ideas:)

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  4. SUCH a great idea! I definitely want to try this! God, you're crafty.

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  5. This is *crazy brilliant*! I hate throwing away tins that are so pretty but useless like this too -- way to find a fab "use" for them!

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  6. I like to recyle and with the chalkpaint it has endless ideas. Thanks...

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  7. Cool! I love and hate pretty tins. It feels wrong to throw them out so they end up as clutter in my cupboard. This is a good solution.

    Also, besides practical, I just love the look of that dark chalkboard colour....

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  8. Brilliant! I agree with Bee (just above me) ... I end up saving yucky tins, just because I can't bear to throw them out. Will have to scout around for some chalkboard paint.

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  9. fabulous idea! so simple, but something i would never think of.

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  10. great idea. i've been wondering what to do with my old tea tins.

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  11. This is such a good idea! I love that you drew a picture of the sweets as well :)

    I think this might be my first time commenting - I enjoy your blog very much!

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  12. Ooo, I love this idea! I haven't used chalkboard paint yet, but this looks like a simple enough project. Thanks for sharing!

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  13. I love you. Will you be my bride?

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  14. clever...thank you!!! p.s. if you do any glass canisters as well, please post pics.

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  15. Oooh clever Rachel! The tins look really classy with the blackboard paint and it solves the problem of trying to peel off labels -grrr which is always a problem. Ha! Love the fact they have the nutrients on the back - the world has gone mad - though not quite as mad as the ingredients I noticed on a cake packet the other day stating the second ingredient as raspberry flavoured plum jam - huh? who's ever heard of raspberry flavoured plum jam - what is wrong with just keeping the flavour of the plum jam - mad!!! :)

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  16. You find so many rad uses for chalkboard paint! I have to get some!

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  17. Are you the cutest AND the most clever?

    And, I'll never grow tired of new uses for chalkboard paint. Chalkboards will never not be awesome.

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  18. Such a perfect project! Will have to try one!

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  19. these are marvelous, and i LOVE the idea of glass jars plus chalkboard paint. on getting the labels off, have you tried goo gone? it's probably not especially eco-friendly, but it's added years to my life by helping out with tenacious labels.

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  20. i like chalkboards..:)
    xx

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  21. Thanks, guys! And Lauren, I love Goo Gone too, despite not having any idea what is in it. Sadly, these labels were actually screenprinted on the cans, so they really were permanent.

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  22. How cool! They turned out so neat! They'd make really cute baked goods canisters to pass along to neighbors during the holidays too.

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  23. nice. i love it. i have so many tins all over the place...now i can re-use them!

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  24. Neat idea - the possibilities seem endless!

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  25. I heart this idea. And everything you do really.

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  26. They look so good! I would have never thought of this, it's amazing how there are so many creative people...all with their own super unique ideas. I really love the idea of the pantry containers like this! It would make the pantry look so tidy!

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  27. because i need ONE more reason to buy chalkboard paint. fantastic idea

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  28. Chalkboard crafts are catching on. I keep seeing variations of them. I really love this one!

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  29. OH MY GOD! Martha is gonna hire you, just watch.

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  30. seriously, you rock.
    did you ever think about teaching?
    your ideas are so well executed.
    what student would not adore you!

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  31. RIGHT ON!
    Love this idea. Trying it, one day.

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  32. I love this idea, so creative and practical :)

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  33. We once spray painted a section of our kitchen wall with chalkboard paint. So great!! Good for notes, grocery lists, funny drawings. All around pretty awesome....

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  34. These are great. I need to clean out my pantry and this was just the inspiration I needed to get things organized. I will be whipping some of these up (thus further delaying the pantry makeover). (Posted a little link love.)

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