DIY Teacher Name Plate

Are your kids back in school yet? If they aren’t it is coming so quick! I shared this fun, easy back to school teacher name plate as my audition project for So You Think You’re Crafty! I made it in! So at the end of August I will be competing in this ultimate craft competition! I’m excited. I’m really really nervous. I hope you will pop over and vote each week! It’s like reality T.V. but on the internet and I don’t have to leave my home for weeks to go compete!

So if your kids have started school or are starting soon, send their teacher a little love with this DIY Teacher Name Plate. It is inexpensive but really cute!

What you will need:

1. paint stick (you know the ones you mix the paint with)
2. stickers or vinyl letters
3. stain or paint
4. sandpaper
5. washi tape
6. small dowel
7. distressing ink pad

To begin, cut the name plate down to size. I had a huge paint stick so I cut it down to about 8 inches. This may vary depending on the teacher’s name and the lettering.

After the paint stick is cut down to size. Stain it. I used a white wash stain. So it just enhanced the wood grain. Then sand the edges as much or as little as you want.

After sanding, I used Distress Ink to give the sanded edges some love. The Distress Ink could also be used to add a vintage flair to the front  of the teacher name plate. Just lightly rub it over the wood.

To help the teacher name plate stand, drill a whole the size of the small dowel in the middle of the teacher name plate.

Cut the dowel down to a couple of inches. This might need some trial and error. Cut the dowel and place the dowel in the whole and see if it will hold it up. If it doesn’t quite work, try making it a little longer or shorter.

Using hot glue, glue the dowel into the drilled hole. Let dry.

Now for the fun part! Embellishing!!!

I made a line to keep the letters straight using masking tape. Place the name stickers or vinyl letters on the name plate. Then add washi tape, ribbon, etc. to embellish the teacher name plate. This name plate is for my husband, so I tried to keep it not too girly. 

It is also a good idea to add a thin coat of Mod Podge over the stickers (if you use stickers instead of vinyl) to keep the letters adhered to the paint stick.

Pair your freshly made teacher name plate with an apple, a bouquet of pencils or a handwritten note.

Good luck to everyone with back to school! I am excited to be back on more of a schedule, but not ready for the summer fun to end!

Are you excited or sad about back to school?

Here is some more back to school goodness:

Need help getting your kids homework stuff all together?

Portable Homework Station

Or an easy after school snack?

Homemade Cracker Jack

 Linking up with: Skip to My Lou, Craft-O-Maniac, Sumo’s Sweet Stuff, Keeping it Simple, Marvelous Monday, The 36th Avenue, Link Party Palooza