Here’s a neat space-saving idea for spice storage! If you’re like me and love to cook, you’ve inevitably got a decent-sized collection of spices in your kitchen. Until recently, my spice cupboard was an absolute disaster. To forever ditch the spice cupboard of horror and tidy up my jars of basil, oregano, cumin and coriander, I made this simple and inexpensive magnetic chalkboard using mostly upcycled materials found around my home.

Tools & Supplies:

1/4” plywood or MDF,

Metal duct,

Decorative frame,

4 oz. jelly jars,

Neodymium magnets,

Epoxy adhesive,

Chalkboard paint,

Sandpaper,

Chalk,

Gloves,

Tin snips,

“L” square or yardstick, and

Jigsaw.

Instructions:

1. Using a jigsaw and “L” square (or yardstick), mark and cut out a piece of 1/4” plywood or MDF to fit into the frame.

2. Use a jigsaw to cut out the plywood (or MDF).

3. Next, using a metal duct that looks like this (available at any big box home improvement store).

…use tin snips to cut the metal to fit the plywood. Be sure to use gloves!! The edges of the cut metal will slice right through your skin is careful.

You can also purchase a flat sheet of metal (also available at big box home improvement stores), but the cost is significantly higher. This metal duct was under $5, while a flat sheet of metal would have cost $20. 4. Using a strong adhesive, adhere the metal to the plywood and weigh it down with heavy items so that it’s completely flat.

5. When the adhesive is completely dry, use 220-grit sandpaper and sand the surface of the metal, then cover with chalkboard paint. Remember, when using spray paint, several thin coats is better than a couple of thick coats!

6. Next, assemble the jars. *Don’t use hot glue for this! I learned the hard way that hot glue doesn’t hold those super strong magnets! So using an epoxy type of adhesive, glue the lid of the jar into the ring, and then glue two 1/2” x 1/8” neodymium magnets to the top of the lid.

With everything assembled, it should look like this.

If you use larger neodymium magnets, you could probably get away with using only one per jar. Unfortunately, this was the largest size I could find locally. 7. With all of the jars assembled, you’re ready to fill them with spices.

8. Before assembling everything, be sure to condition the chalkboard by rubbing the side of a piece of chalk over the entire surface, and then wiping off the chalk.

9. I also chose to write the names of the spices on the board before nailing the chalkboard into the frame.

10. Nail the plywood into the frame, attach the spice jars, and you’re done!

Source: addicted2decorating