Rustic Chalkboard Serving Tray

A while back, I was browsing through our local craft store and found a whole section of wood that I hadn’t noticed before.

Sometimes I love to just walk thru the craft store and gawk at everything. Typically I’ll find something that I may not have really noticed before, and then I get excited!

This wood could have so many amazing uses (and did I mention there are all sorts of different shapes & sizes?), but this time I decided on making a rustic chalkboard serving tray.

Plus, I’m still planning that summer party, so this was the perfect fit.

DIY Rustic Chalkboard Serving Tray by The Wood Grain Cottage

And I’m pretty sure it couldn’t be any easier to make.

I started with my rustic slab of wood.

Step 1 | The Wood Grain Cottage

Then I taped off the edges…

Step 2 | The Wood Grain Cottage

And applied a few coats of chalkboard paint…

Step 3 | The Wood Grain Cottage

While the last coat was still wet, I pulled off the tape:

Step 4 | The Wood Grain Cottage

Once the chalkboard paint had dried, I rubbed the entire thing down with a stick of chalk.

Step 5 | The Wood Grain Cottage

I wiped it off and then attached the handles:

Step 6 | The Wood Grain Cottage

With that, it was ready for use…

DIY Rustic Chalkboard Serving Tray by The Wood Grain Cottage

I love the bark edge… and I also love that it is attached really well. It’s great to know that it won’t start falling off in the middle of a party. Or when I’m serving guests breakfast.

That would be a downer.

DIY Rustic Chalkboard Serving Tray by The Wood Grain Cottage

It’s a great size too! And very light.

DIY Rustic Chalkboard Serving Tray by The Wood Grain Cottage

And I love, love, love that I can write a special note to guests, or list each item individually.

DIY Rustic Chalkboard Serving Tray by The Wood Grain Cottage

And the chalkboard looks fabulous with the rustic edge of the tray.

DIY Rustic Chalkboard Serving Tray by The Wood Grain Cottage

The handles are a nice compliment too…

DIY Rustic Chalkboard Serving Tray by The Wood Grain Cottage

I love the hammered detail on them. And, they’re like a $1.50 at Home Depot. Pretty & Cheap!

DIY Rustic Chalkboard Serving Tray by The Wood Grain Cottage

And the very best part? I’m pretty sure that anything I put on this tray is going to shine.

Truly.

DIY Rustic Chalkboard Serving Tray by The Wood Grain Cottage

The uses are endless too. I can totally see using it in the bathroom with a bowl of soaps, cotton balls and Q-tips. And I think it would be fabulous filled with candles on a coffee table. Plus, I’m so excited to use it a Christmas with ornaments and pine cones.

Now I’m excited. Again. It doesn’t take much.

Shayna | The Wood Grain Cottage

Linking up to:

Tatertots & Jello

The 36th Avenue

Love of Family & Home

Design Dining & Diapers

Jennifer Rizzo

It’s Overflowing

 

48 Comments

  1. What a FABULOUS idea!! You did an amazing job! I like the idea that you can use it in various different ways, for every major holiday and for any event. So simple, yet cute and chic all in one.

  2. Great idea! I love the woody, rustic edges to the tray, as well and those handles you’ve added really make it extra special.

    After looking at those pictures, I’m craving blueberries. 🙂

    Marilyn (in Dallas)

  3. This has to be one of my favorite things that you have made. I hope to find some wood just like that! Thanks for the idea!!!! As usual! Xxx

  4. this serving tray is so pretty! I LOVE it Shayna, what a great idea you had and the chalkboard paint too! 🙂 adding those pretty and inexpensive holders good idea too ! 🙂 oh! I can’t wait to see when will you be planning your summer party! 🙂

    1. THANK YOU so much, Pam! I generally shop at our local craft store, which is small in comparison to Michaels or Hobby Lobby, but they do carry really fabulous things! I think I’ve seen the wood at Michaels & Hobby Lobby.
      I hope that helps! 🙂
      -Shayna

  5. Hi Shayna!

    I just love this post and I, also, LOVE to browse the aisles of the craft store – especially in the event that my kiddos aren’t shopping with me!!! Thanks for all of the great ideas!

  6. Ok gf…ya did it AGAIN!!! Really, you have such an amazing, creative talent!!! Making something out of almost nothing, is so impressive…beautiful, absolutely beautiful:)
    Blessings & <3
    M

  7. I love this idea, Shayna! I’ve walked by those wood slices at the craft store so many times and loved the look of them, but didn’t have any brilliant ideas for how to use them. Now you’ve inspired me and I am definitely planning on making a chalkboard serving tray of my own! Thank you!

  8. How neat. Thanks for sharing. What kind of pen did you use to write on the tray? It does not look like chalk.
    Is it a paint pen? Does it come off?

    1. THANK YOU so much, Barbara! 🙂
      The pen is a chalkboard pen and easily comes off with water. It’s so much easier to write with! 🙂
      -Shayna

    1. Hi Jessica! I bought the wood at our local craft store… Maybe try Hobby Lobby or Michaels.
      Hope that helps! 🙂
      -Shayna

  9. Are you joking?!! I just found your blog on Pinterest. I.am.in.LOVE!!! I don’t think I have ever found a blog where I planned to do every single project!! Lol. I love this serving piece! I just ordered my plank from Amazon of all places. I have a BFF who is so hard to buy for and you just solved my problem! GREAT site!!

    1. AWE, Jenni! THANK YOU so very much! I’m so happy you found me! Welcome to The WGC! 😀
      I hope you love the serving tray— I sure do!
      -Shayna

  10. Oh I am so loving your ideas and copying them into my home. So much fun. I received a lovely rectangle shaped wooden chopping board for Christmas and when I saw your post I decided to make a chalk board out of it for the kitchen. I taped the edges and left the handle to have the wooden border and the rest I sprayed with chalk paint. It turned out lovely and my husband and children love the little chalk notes we can write on it. Thanks for the inspirations Shayna!

    1. Thank you so much! I bought the wood from our local craft store, but I have found similar items at Hobby Lobby and JoAnn’s.

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