DIY Push Pin Map

Since I've been selling on Etsy, I've thought it would be so cool to document the states and towns that I've had sales in.  Even after selling on Etsy.com for over a year now, I still do a happy dance with every order and I think it's so cool to see where each of my handmade with love items are going!

Lately I've been looking everywhere for some sort of cute map to document all of the states and towns that I've had sales in.  One of my other maker friends (@ psalm91studio) and I have both been looking for a map with some sort of frame.

Last week, when I was at Hobby Lobby, I came across the scrapbook paper aisle and I had an epiphany!

If I had a cute map, I could make this on my own!  Just like all of my pallet signs!  So, I just had to get this darling paper map.

I came home and got in my pallet stash and with the help of my handy husband, cut five pallet boards into approximately 17x18 inch pieces.

After the pieces were cut, I laid five of them side by side, choosing the side that I wanted facing out.  I taped them together to easily flip all five over at the same time and to help hold them together for now.

 


I placed two boards across the back (one approximately an inch from the top and one approximately an inch from the bottom).  I used Gorilla Glue wood glue to initially adhere it to the five pallets and then used five nails across the top and the bottom to hold it and secure it together.

I loved how the wood looked, but I felt like a white or gray color wood, would look better with my white office decor.  So, I decided to white wash mine.

I poured white acrylic paint into a cup and simply added some water to give it a thinner consistency.  I used an old rag to wipe the white paint and water mixture across the boards. I ended up putting three layers on until I was happy with the color.

The next day, I got two 12x12 sheets of cork board and used scrapbook/crafter's tape to adhere the maps to the cork board.  You can buy the 12x12 sheets at Hobby Lobby.

Then, I used double sided tape squares to stick the paper and cork boards to the pallet boards.

Here are the finished products!  I am so in love with how they turned out!

To mark the sale locations, I used short sewing pins with pearls on them as the push pins.  Ah!  How adorable is that?!

If you don't consider yourself a DIY'er, message me!  I would love to make one for you!

Happy crafting sweet friends!