Scavenger Chic

6+ Uses DIY Chalkboard Serving Tray

• By Joan
• May 6, 2020
• 4 Comments

Chalkboard Serving Tray

I have a super easy project for you today but you may have to wait for Thrift stores to reopen before you can get your supplies.  I used an old metal serving tray but frankly, any smooth, flat tray will do. 

I had a stack of three of these trays in my garage which had somehow gotten buried under a few layers of future projects.  Oldest son, Keith, had rescued them for me from an abandoned Italian Restaurant back in 2016.

Alligator Cheese Platter

The last time you saw me use one of these trays was over two years ago when I used one under a pineapple alligator for this fun Mardi Gras themed party platter.

The tray I’m using today was still full of grease and dirt from when it was originally used in the restaurant.  Even though I wouldn’t be eating off of this one, it still needed a good scrubbing.

Paint your serving tray with a nice quality Chalkboard paint.  I painted it with a bristle brush then went over the brush strokes with a foam brush to get a really nice, flat, surface.  Wait for the paint to dry then repeat.

Before you use a handpainted chalkboard it should be primed.  Since chalkboard paint is porous, if you draw on your chalkboard without priming it first there is a chance you may forever see a ghostly image of that first drawing.

To prime your chalkboard, lay a piece of chalk on it’s side and cover the entire surface.  The chalk will fill in any of the little pores.

Wipe off the chalk with a soft rag and your chalkboard is complete.

Two holes drilled into the edge of the frame and a piece of string allows me to hang the tray on the wall.

Now for what you can use your chalkboard for…(1)  Write out the days menu  or the menu for a special occasion.

(2)  Use your chalkboard for a seasonal greeting.  Since Mother’s Day is this weekend, I thought this sentiment was appropriate.  Happy Mother’s Day to all the Moms out there.  I used chalk markers for all the blue writing left over from this one year birthday project.

(3) Keep a list of anything you need from the store.  In 2 months I have yet to find Purell or toilet paper.

(4)  Take the tray down from the wall and use it as a serving tray for drinks,  (5) or fill it with cut up meats and cheeses.  It’s a great way to label things so people know what they’re eating.

I promised you at least 6 ideas, so here are a few more.

     (6) Hand it over to the kids for a little doodle fun, after all, it is a chalkboard

     (7) Use it as a serving tray for breakfast in bed.  Mother’s Day breakfast anyone?

     (8) Write an inspirational quote and change it up daily or weekly.

     (9)Your own chalkboard art, just erase when you want to change out your masterpiece.

Ok, I think I ran out of ideas (but at least I got my 6 in).  Let me know if I’m missing any.

Until next time, stay inspired.

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