Friday, March 05, 2010

the "how to" on making our typewriter key wall art...

a close up shot of the chiseled groovemom, using a paintbrush to really get in the grooves with the antiquing effect
antiquing the squares with the rag and paint
lori, dragging the chisel to create the grooves
our finished product


I have been receiving requests from women who googled "typewriter key wall art" (and from there they found my blog) and they have wanted to know how I made my Pottery Barn replica.
Well, here is how we did it step by step...
  • found the typewriter font FREE here http://www.typadelic.com/typekeys.html, downloaded it and then created a document in photoshop, typed the letters/numbers in and blew them up to the size we wanted (if you dont have photoshop and are planning on making your board 25x25", e-mail me and I will send you the jpg files). We printed them out on cream cardstock and then cut all the circles out.
  • cut a piece of plywood board 25x25" square
  • marked a grid 5 lines evenly spaced horiz and 5 lines vertical. Then we used a metal straight edge ruler and dragged the corner of a chisel down the lines to create the grooves
  • take a rag, wet a corner with odorless mineral spirits, dab where its wet onto the top of a tube of dark brown oil paint and use that to antique each square...making sure it really gets in the groove to make them stand out. (Hint: if you make it too dark, just wet a clean corner of your rag with the mineral spirits and wipe off till you get the desired effect.
  • adhere your letters and numbers in the center of each square using either spray adhesive or a quick dry tacky glue. Brayer over them to make sure they are stuck down good.
  • hammer tiny black nails (we found a box of 100 at Lowe's for about 3 or 4 bucks) into the four corners of your squares
  • cut frame to size and nail together
  • hang and enjoy!!
Hope this little tutorial helps. E-mail me @ nikkiclearypta(at)comcast.net if you have any other questions.

**edited to add jpegs**




xoxo
nikki

75 comments:

Natalie Meester said...

great job and I like the fact that I don't have to handpaint the letters!

Can you email the file so i can print them up?

thanks!

nataliemeester@yahoo.com

Maybee said...

Love,love your typewriter keys....could you send my file please....thanks kwhit01@gmail.com

Mom said...

LOVE IT! I know you're probably inundated with requests for the letters. Thanks in advance!
djoecks@gmail.com

Yolanda said...

You are so sweet to share your files. May I please get a copy... yolanda_jensen@yahoo.com

Thank you for sharing your time and talent. I will for sure link up to your post when I make mine.

Pam Burke said...

I would love to receive the letters too. Thanks in advance.
Pam

Just Me said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Sueann said...

If we are emailing the letters...put me on the list! This is gorgeous!!
slommler@gmail.com
Thanks ever so much
Hugs
SueAnn

Krista said...

I would love your file on the keys! Thank you so much!

e-mail address is : halfdozenhome@comcast.net

Kendra@Creative Ambitions said...

Love this!

Dawn said...

Oh, I think your version looks even better than the PB original! I would love to have the letters. I'm at amiarobinson@gmail.com.

THANKS!!

Anonymous said...

I agree, your version is much nicer than the PB version. Great job, and thank you for sharing this information. I'm going to make this board this weekend. May I have the pdf file emailed to me at susiokc1984@yahoo.com? Thank you so much.

Anonymous said...

I agree, your version is much nicer than the PB version. Great job, and thank you for sharing this information. I'm going to make this board this weekend. May I have the pdf file emailed to me at susiokc1984@yahoo.com? Thank you so much.

papermoon said...

What a great project. If you could send me the file i would love to have a go at this :o)

grscad@googlemail.com

jen said...

Super job! Great project!! I would love to give this a try. Could you please send me the file, too? Pretty please with sugar on top. jenfowles@aol.com

sewprecious said...

I saw this in Pottery Barn and loved it. Whenever you get the chance I sure would like you file so I can give it a go!
Thanks so much

Christine Toffolo said...

I love this project and I would love to try it. Would you mind sending me the file. Thanks
christinetoffolo@hotmail.com

Goldilox said...

A couple of weeks ago I too googled type writer art and came here. I love reading crafting blogs and seeing the awesome things people do. Please send me your pdf of your typewriter keys-it is awesome. Thanks
the.3.bears@hotmail.com

Unknown said...

I agree...I love yours more than the PB version.

If you could, would you email the pdf file to me as well?

Thank you so much! I hope mine turns out half as well as yours.

shel704@aol.com

Anonymous said...

please, I would like the files as well : anomis37@aol.com

Lindsay said...

Will you email me the file as well for the typewriter keys? lindsay_hudson@msnc.om

Thanks... Lindsay

suzieQ said...

Well, here I am, asking for the file so that I can print them and copy your wonderful work. Thanks so much for sharing.
blackcat2@metrocast.net

Sandy said...

I just saw this fantastic tutorial link listed over at Funky Junky, Love it!

Anonymous said...

Please can you mail me the file for the typewriter letters. I love this project. Thanks,
psfitzgerald@tx.rr.com

Zan said...

This is even better than the PB version - wowza! I would love to attempt it! Would you be so kind as to send me the file? Thanks in advance! skenoyer at gmail.com

Melissa said...

could you email the jpg letters to me. I do not have photoshop. thanks
I love your work.
flyawaygirl86@aol.com

mle said...

Love your project - it looks AWESOME!!! & love PB knockoffs : )
If you're not too sick to death of requests... could I trouble you to send me the jpg for the letters, PLEASE??
A huge cyber squeeze for your fabulous creativity (and for sharing) : )

mle.abc.blog@gmail.com

thankyouthankyouthankyou!!

michaela hoenigman said...

Ooooh you are going to be so busy e-mailing! I love love love this! You are brilliant for coming up woth a new way to do the letters. I unfortunately tried another tutorial. Lets just say, I had a garbage can full of a board that should have been this project.
Needless to say...can you e-mail the jpg to me? Thank you in advance!

michaela hoenigman said...

and my e-mail would help!

ahmh61398@gmail.com

janet g said...

I love this! Could you please email me the file for the letters? Thanks for sharing! janetgriffitts@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

Can you send me the jpg files of the letters? arinceglia@yahoo.com

Jenn said...

Oh WOW! You did an aweosme job on this! I love it... Could you email me the file for the letters?

Thanks bunches!!! :)

Happy New Year to you and your family!

bjtippett7@gmail.com

Lynette said...

Love it more than PB's version! Love the details of the nails! Would love to have the file! Thanks! toppari@charter.net

Ginger Hanchey said...

Absolutely LOVE it! I love the fact that you'll share the also, how refreshing. Thank you for being so sweet. I would love the file also - my email address is gingerlee107@gmail.com.

Thanks again!

MommaMihmsy said...

I would love the letters also

mommamihmsy@sbcglobal.net

Lynda said...

Great idea! I would love to have a copy of the type keys. Thanks in advance:Lyndalhcropshop@gmail.com Lyndaoflakeland.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

I LOVE the typewriter keyboard. Would you please send the file to download? annamartall@aol.com
I'm enjoying your blog & creative ideas. Thanks, Anna

Milica said...

I would love a copy of the pdf file! Your tutorial is fantastic!
posymosey@gmail.com

Michelle said...

I loved your work! If you have the time to email me a copy of the pdf's for this project I would appreciate it!

I just wanted to say--your project was very well done!

meadow1view@yahoo.com

Thank you!

Kim @ Too Much Time said...

Yay! I used your pdf and made my own, cheapie version of your art. The post will go up Friday morning and of course I gave you a shout out and linked back to your awesome project. Thanks again!
Kim
http://kim-toomuchtimeonmyhands.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

Hi! Saw your lovely project on Too Much Time on My Hands. If it isn't too much trouble, would you mind emailing the file to me? Many, many thanks!
Teresa
palmettomommy@yahoo.com

emily plant said...

I'm visiting from too much time on my hands- I'd love it if you'd send me the file too! Thanks
emilyp@dcwisp.net

The Tall Chick said...

LOVE IT!! I'm going to make a version for our little girl's room! :)

Shabby Soul said...

This is the prettiest one I have seen!! I would love the PDF if you get a moment to send it. I LOVE this project & your great instructions!

Howard Family said...

Love LOVE this! Thank you for sharing. Could you please send the file?

tiahoward@gmail.com

CottontailCreations said...

Beautiful,please send me the letters as well, when you have a moment. Thanks so very much!

twelve30 said...

Found you thru too much time on my hands blog - would love to have the pdf emailed to me. Thanks so much!
twelve30{at}gmail{dot}com

familyofthree said...

Gorgeous!!! I found you through Thrifty Decorating and would love the file, if possible!

familyofthree07 at gmail dot com

Thank you so much!! :)

Laura Everyday Edits said...

Love this! Would love the jpg file for these letters.

Didn't see a follower button for your awesome blog!
laura@imnotatrophywife.com

Jessika @ Secret Pie Shoppe said...

Looks great! When you made the grid did you make the squares on the sides larger so that the squares still looked even once you added the frame? Thanks!

Anonymous said...

Could I have a copy of your file? I think this is better than the original, nice work!
Michelleholladay@sbcglobal.net

A Mom, Two Kids and a Geek said...

I know this is kind of old, but if you still have the PDF available, I would love a copy!

erinenyart@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

I love this! Would you mind emailing me the typewriter key files?
Thanks so much!
acukatester83@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

I would love to have a copy of the file. thank you so much!
rakolt at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

Love this .... could you kindly send me the .pdf file. Thanks so much!

downs222@live.com

Rhonda said...

This looks great! Thanks for sharing! Could I please have a copy of your files? kelleyrl22@yahoo.com

Peggy said...

I stumbled upon your blog while I was googling for unique letters, specifically the letter A. This is just amazing! If it wouldn't be too much to ask to send a copy of the pdf file? I would sooo appreciate it! Can't wait to look at the rest of your blog!

Peggy

Peggy said...

I stumbled upon your blog while I was googling for unique letters, specifically the letter A. This is just amazing! If it wouldn't be too much to ask to send a copy of the pdf file? I would sooo appreciate it! Can't wait to look at the rest of your blog!

Peggy

Jeanice Dunlap said...

Love your typewriter keys. Would you be willing to share them. Thanks, jeanice.dunlap@yahoo.com

Nicole said...

Hello!! I would love to make this project as well!! Would you please email me the file so I could print them? Thanks!
Npalacios281@gmail.com

Unknown said...

This is Great! So beautiful! If you wouldn't mind sharing the key file... moredharma.lessdrama@gmail.com Thanks again! - Heather

Chark said...

gorgeous and so much better than the original!

Anonymous said...

Your work is absolutely wonderful! I'm not sure if you still have the file available, but if you do I'd love a copy!! kimmyville@gmail.com

Katie's New Words said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

I love this, so much nicer than PB!! You did an awesome job and I totally inspired to make this, this weekend:) would you mind sending me the pdf? bkrangle@gmail.com
Thanks!

Anonymous said...

If you're still sending the PDF/JPG file for this, I'd love it. Send it to freecoffeeday@gmail.com.

Great job on the project it looks great! Can't wait to create my own.

- Miche

LindaA said...

Was wonder if you could send the typewriter letters that I found posted on your blog, I would appreciate it very much.

jimlin67@charter.net

Unknown said...

Just now found you. What a really neat wall art! I L��VE It, could you please send to bransheart@gmail.com! Thank you so very much

Unknown said...

Just now found you. What a really neat wall art! I L��VE It, could you please send to bransheart@gmail.com! Thank you so very much

Unknown said...

Just now found you. What a really neat wall art! I L��VE It, could you please send to bransheart@gmail.com! Thank you so very much

Unknown said...

love your version of the artwork...can u please send me the typewriter letters file..thanks in advance. nelsondp2002@yahoo.com

Cyndi said...

Awesome project Could you email me the file for the typewriter letters. cjbaker54@aol.com. Thank you

Snickerdoodle said...

Just saw this. Is the file still available? Haven't seen anything like it in Britain and I must have �� Thank you.
maryelisewales@hotmail.co.uk

Anonymous said...

Not sure if you are still sending the typewriter key PDF but would so love to have it. Looked elsewhere so not to bother you but can’t find - even typadelic doesn’t seem to carry anymore. Thanks in advance,
Wendypmcc07@gmail.com

angelast said...

Hello there, if you are still providing a copy of the typewriter keys for this project, I'd be grateful for a copy at angelast@bigpond.com Many thanks.

MM said...

If your still sending copies I would appreciate it. Thank you
Martiemagdaleno@yahoo.com