DIY Cigar Box Chalkboard ... Creative Way to Repurpose a Cigar Box!

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Looking for creative cigar box ideas? This DIY Cigar Box Chalkboard could not be simpler or more fun to make!

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Years ago, my mom collected a bunch of cigar boxes from a local cigar shop. She knew that I’d use the boxes for something, and I felt like I hit the jackpot when she gave them to me!

Over the years, I’ve found tons of creative uses for cigar boxes … everything from shadow boxes to storage to art projects.

I only have a few left, and I’ve been toting these boxes around as we’ve moved across the country and back again. Needless to say, my husband doesn’t really appreciate why I’ve held onto these boxes … ha.

I usually keep my cigar boxes packed away, but our new apartment is a little short on storage space at the moment.

As I was searching through my craft supplies the other day, I spotted those boxes and some chalkboard paint, and I had a spark of inspiration!

I was going to repurpose that cigar box and turn it into a DIY chalkboard.

DIY Cigar Box Chalkboard

These DIY Cigar Box Chalkboards are so quick, easy, and fun to make! And they’re the perfect idea if you’re wondering what to do with empty cigar boxes.

You definitely won’t be able to stop at just one, which is good because I’m showing you two different ways to make these DIY chalkboards!

For one of my DIY Cigar Box Chalkboards, I removed the lid and painted the inside of the box, kind of like a chalkboard shadow box. I love how this one turned out.

There is even a little wooden ledge in box, which is perfect for holding a piece of chalk!

For my other DIY Cigar Box Chalkboard, I painted the bottom of the box and left the inside intact.

This method shows off more of the pretty patterns on the box, and the handmade chalkboard even has a built in stand!

I could make these DIY chalkboards all day, and I think they’d make a great project for girl’s night … just add wine!

Or round up the kids to make their own custom chalkboard.

DIY Cigar Box Chalkboard … How to Make a Simple Chalkboard from a Cigar Box

Want to make your own DIY Cigar Box Chalkboard? Here’s what you’ll need:

empty cigar boxes (Find these at your local cigar shop or on Amazon.)
utility knife
sand paper (I used 100 grit.)
painters tape
chalkboard paint
foam paint brush
craft glue
chalk or chalkboard markers

To make the shadow box style-chalkboard, you need to remove the lid. (Skip straight to the painters tape step if you’re only painting the bottom of the box.)

***Read before cutting!*** If your box is like mine, once you remove the lid, only three sides will be covered by decorative paper, and the part where the lid was will be plain wood. If you remove the lid carefully, you can use the decorative paper on the outside of the box to cover this plain wood part.

Open the lid and use the utility knife to cut through the paper on the inside of the lid, but NOT all the way through to the outside.

After you’ve made your cut, slowly pull the lid off the box, taking care not to tear the paper on the outside of the lid (left photo below).

There should be a strip of paper on the lid that was holding it to the outside of the box. Carefully remove this strip from the lid and set it aside for later.

Remove any paper or adhesive from the inside of your cigar box.

If it sticks to the box, use the sand paper to remove it all of the way.

If you skip this step, the paper may bubble up when you paint over it. You’ve been warned!

Cover the decorative paper of the insides of the box with painters tape.

Paint the inside of the cigar box using the foam paint brush and chalkboard paint. The wood is very porous, so you will need to apply multiple coats.

I used 4 coats for my chalkboard.

Don’t worry, the paint dries quickly!

After you’ve applied your final coat of paint, carefully remove the painters tape (before the paint dries). Then, let the paint dry completely once the tape is removed.

If you’re only painting the bottom of the box, you’re done once the paint dries and can start decorating … yay! If you’re painting the inside of the box, keep reading.

Remember that decorative strip of paper you removed in the very beginning?

Apply a little craft glue to it (spread a thin layer over the paper with your finger), then use it to cover the plain side of the box.

Hold the strip in place until it adheres to the box.

That’s it, your DIY Cigar Box Chalkboard is complete! Wasn’t that easy?

All that’s left is to decorate your DIY Cigar Box Chalkboard. You can use regular chalk or a chalkboard markers.

I love chalkboard markers, but due to the porous nature of the wood, whatever you draw or write on your chalkboard will be permanent. Don’t worry though … you can always paint over your message later if you get sick of it.