Chalkboard Mail Organizer from a Thrift Store Find!

​**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. ​  But, all opinions expressed are my own.    

     Here is a true confession about the blogging partnership between my daughters and I.  Sometimes we come up with some really big ideas for the blog which never really come to fruition, even after we have talked about them on the blog.  Today's post is a perfect example.  We, (and I say "we" in the broadest sense because I did not think of this idea), came up with the idea to do a thrift store challenge and have our readers vote on the best results.  It was hard for me because I do not like to shop in thrift stores. I am too much of a germaphobe.  But, I did it! Actually, I shopped and didn't find what I wanted and then Maddy ended up finding the item that I was looking for. She loves to shop in thrift stores. 
     I was tired of the mail clutter that always ended up on my kitchen counter, so I wanted to find a way to organize it.  This old doctor's office style of magazine rack seemed like the perfect idea.  Plus, it fits right by the back door between the door and the kitchen cabinets. 
      I got to work and decided to do a chalkboard finish. This rack had started out as worn brown wood that had seen better days.  (Sorry I forgot the before pictures).  I shot videos all by myself of the process and Alicia was going to put together the video of our efforts. Unfortunately, only half of us completed our projets! AHEM!  I won't name any names. But, I have decided to finally post my results because it came out pretty cute and has really helped to get rid of that mail clutter. 
        Another thing you should know is that I didn't ask Alicia to edit and put together my video for me.  I did it all by myself for the very first time!  I know it isn't as good as her work, because I am still trying to figure out the program.  I hope you will like it and give it a look anyway and tell me what you think. I will put tips and links below the video. 

Here are a few tips:

• Be sure to clean your piece first to remove the dirt, oils, germs and grime.  I used a spray bottle of vinegar water and wiped it off with a soft cloth.  
• Be sure to allow time to give your project two coats of the chalkboard paint and allow it to dry  well in between each coat. It doesn't take as much paint as you might think.  Paint it on with a sponge brush.
• I just free handed the lettering on my project.  The chalkboard marker was very easy to use. You could use a stencil if you like. 
• I used E6000 glue because I wanted to be sure those clips didn't pop off.  It takes longer to dry but it is worth it.  One of my clips slid a little because they were sitting on a slant.  It gives my organizer character, ha ha! 
• There were already holes in my project for hanging it. My husband mounted it on the wall for me with drywall anchor screws.  

     Well, having some plans go by the wayside is all a part of the blogging experience.  At least I ended up with something really useful for my house.  I may have to give thrift stores more of a chance.  Just in case my germaphobia comes back to haunt me, I'll be carrying the hand sanitizer.