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DIY State Capital Rustic Tray

Whether you are looking for a quick and easy gift idea or want to make this for yourself, this DIY State Capital Rustic Tray was fun to make and easy to create!

coffee_serving_tray_map

DIY State Capital Rustic Tray

Are you proud of your hometown? Want to create a personalized gift tray for someone you love. Today I have a special project you’re going to love!

City_map_shadow_box

Materials:

(I’ve included affiliate links for your convenience. I earn a small percentage from a purchase using these links. There is no additional cost to you. You can read more about affiliate links here.)

Optional: Scrap of pegboard

Instructions to Make DIY State Capital Rustic Tray:

Visit Maps.Stamen.com that turns maps into works of art! Simply enter your city, state or favorite location and watch as it instantly turns into a watercolor drawing! When you have the view you want, download the graphic to your computer.

If you wish, you can play with the hue and saturation of your image in your photo editing software.

raleigh_watercolor_map

For fun and more graphic interest, I added “Raleigh, NC” (using Sketch Block font) and the global coordinates for my capital city. Plus, the date Raleigh was founded. (All available at Wikipedia.)

raleigh_nc_graphic_map

Print your map onto paper and use the x-acto knife and metal ruler to cut out the map.

print_out_raleigh_map

Cut out a piece of plywood (or board) the same dimension as your map. (I used a circular saw and the Kreg Rip Cut, but you can use a table saw, jig saw, or have Lowe’s cut a board for you.) Sand the board to remove any splinters.

kreg_rip_cut_sand_base

Check your map printout against the base and trim the map if needed.

trim_map_to_base

Cut one end of a 1×3″ board at a 45 degree angle using the miter saw. (Never used a miter saw before? Watch this video tutorial to learn how to use a miter saw.)

cut_mitered_45_end

Line the board up against the plywood base. (Line up the inside of the 45 degree angle at one corner.) Make a mark where the other corner meets the 1×3.

mark_wood_side

Cut the 1×3 at an opposing 45 degree angle, lining up the saw with your inside angle mark. Continue marking and cutting your 1×3 boards to create the sides of your tray.

miter_cut_ends

Dry fit the sides against the base. Make any adjustments to get a tight fit. Run a line of wood glue along the ends of the 1×3’s.

glue_corners

Run a bead of glue along the sides of the base piece.

glue_tray_base_perimeter

Clamp the tray together making sure the base is flush with the bottom and all the sides meet.

clamp_box_frame

Use the finish nailer to shoot 1.25″ finish nails into the corners of the tray. Then secure the base to the sides by shooting more nails through the sides into the base.

secure_tray_trim_nails

Stain the tray and base with a foam brush. Wipe off any excess with a dry rag or paper towels.

stain_tray_wipe_off

After the tray dries, use the pegboard scrap to mark even spots along the tray edge for the nailhead trim. Hammer nail heads into the edges of the tray. (If the wood is hard, you might have to pre-drill holes.)

space_hammer_nailhead_tacks

Test fit your glass to make sure it fits in the bottom of the frame. Clean off the glass with window cleaner. Wipe off any lint.

wipe_glass_clean

Set your map print on the bottom of the tray. Lay the glass on top of the map.

drop_glass_inside_frame

Run a line of clear caulk along the edge of the glass. Wipe the caulk with a wet wipe to smooth and remove excess caulk.

caulk_around_glass

Let the caulk set and then feel free to fill your tray! I use my tray in the kitchen to neatly hold our coffee supplies.

coffee_serving_tray_map

But, you could also add D-rings to the back of the tray and hang it as art!

City_map_shadow_box

I’m curious, where are you from? Or where do you call home? Don’t you think this would make a fabulous present for someone who is proud of their hometown?

PHGFancySign

14 replies
  1. Decorausa
    Decorausa says:

    Boasting your home town on a tray is such a cool idea. This gives me my next DIY project. Think I am going to record my travel sojourns on the map and hang it in my study soon.

    Reply
  2. Laurie
    Laurie says:

    This really wood be a great hostess gift or housewarming gift. Sometimes, you can find historical maps online of areas which would really be a fun twist for a housewarming gift. Oo! And you can get local Native American tribes, etc. This could really be flexible and fun!

    Reply
  3. Irina
    Irina says:

    The tray looks great! You did such a great job. I have a question, where did you get the pre-cut glass? How expensive is it to have a piece of glass cut to your dimensions?

    Reply
    • Brittany Bailey
      Brittany Bailey says:

      Irina, well, truth be told, I had some glass in my attic that I stole from an ugly picture frame. I cut it with a glass scoring tool. But, you can buy glass cut to size at any home improvement store. The price shouldn’t be too expensive. Maybe under $5? It depends, and don’t hold me to that price, it’s been a while since I bought some.

      Reply

Trackbacks & Pingbacks

  1. […] North Carolina Rustic Tray from Pretty Handy Girl […]

  2. […] sure you visit my friend Brittany over at Pretty Handy Girl next and check out her fabulous project as well, she’s the next stop on the […]

  3. […] of you may be jumping over here from my buddy, Brittany’s {aka Pretty Handy Girl} blog.  […]

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