DIY Vintage Style Sign, Flea Market Find
Hi all and welcome back. Last weekend I spent a fantastic couple days with my sister and my niece at a great flea market. I didn’t buy too much stuff. After 10 years of creating projects here on Scavenger Chic I’m finding it harder to find that new and unique item that I want to transform. I was still able to come away with some rusty bits I hope to incorporate into some project in the future. Most of the stuff in the above picture were my sister’s finds.
The most unique and interesting thing we found was a 2 story wood dog kennel from the Westminster Dog Show. If it wasn’t $110, it would have come home with me. By the next day it was gone. 😥 Not meant to be.
What did find it’s way home with me were these quite old and worn, wood panels measuring 45″ x 13″. The three panels were only $5. Now that’s my kind of flea market price.
I really have no idea what they were used for originally. I’m ruling out shutters because there are no hinge or clasp holes. So I’m just going to assume some kind of interior panel.
If you don’t have a similar piece of wood, you can still make this project with any old piece of lumber. I give you this Live Baits sign as an example.
On your favorite photo editing website, layout how you want your sign to look. I’m using Microsoft Publisher. I don’t believe Publisher is used anymore but I have an old copy and I love how I can just type in any size project and it will allow me to use those exact dimensions. This project was 40″ x 7 .5″
For a free poster software , I’ve also used Blockposters.com.
The Seafood and Oysters & Clams font is Glimmer of Light from Dafont.com.
The Fresh font is Brush Script MT, and the Produce font is Copperplate Gothic Bold, both fonts came with my computer. You’ll probably find these fonts or something similar on your computer.
This size poster prints on 5 pieces of paper.
Print out your poster.
FYI, I changed out this fresh font for the one I used with the Seafood.
Trim any borders on your printout and tape back together.
On the back of your printed signs, cover with a layer of charcoal, pencil or use carbon paper if you have it. This will be the medium you use to transfer the lettering to your wood.
Center and tape your sign in place over your reclaimed wood.
You may notice that my printed out signs are very light, this was on purpose to save on ink.
Go over the outline of each letter with a pen. I like to use a ruler for the straight parts.
When you lift up your paper, you’ll find the outline of your lettering. If any areas of the lettering failed to transfer, now is the time to go back over the lettering before you move the paper.
Now it’s just a matter of filling in all your lettering with the paint color of your choice.
If you like a shadow effect, choose a contrasting color and draw a thin line along the outline of the lettering. My “light source” is coming from the upper left so all of my shadows are on the bottom and right side of the letters.
Finished painting. The paint lettering still looks a little too new compared to the age of the wood.
This is the same paint after attacking it with fine sandpaper. A sign this “old” should have some wear and tear on the lettering. 😀
All ready for hanging.
Even used this chewed up piece of wood. It adds to the authenticity of the vintage sign.
Check back in with me next week when I hope to have finished another project from this year’s yard sale. Until then, stay inspired.
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Love the signs! I think they are panels from an old door. i have some too.
I knew someone would know what they were. Now I’m going to be on the lookout for paneled doors. Thank you so much.
Phenomenal job on all 3!!!
Love, love, love the signs! Can’t choose my fav, all 3 turned out fantastic!