So happy to share this project because it was for my lovely boyfriend Jonathan’s (you know him as Chef Jonathan) urban farm – Off The Bluff Farms!
He’s always had a passion for growing things and the environment and I’m so excited that he’s finally taking the delicious food that I eat on daily basis, to our local Tallahassee farmer’s market. That being said, what kind of creative girlfriend would I be if I didn’t make a him a LEGIT sign for his booth.
Now, if you’re looking to put together a sign for something – whether inside your house or for a business, like this one, a wood sign is really a great way to go. It has a rustic feel, and stands up great to the elements if you’re going to be outside for any reason. One of my favorite ways to complement a nice piece of wood, is to stain it first, so I felt that it would be nice informative DIY to show you how you can create your own sign and stain it yourself!
Supplies
Wood – Really depends on the size of the piece
Paint Key – $.99
Minwax Stain in Special Walnut – $7.00/1 qt. But you could definitely get away with a smaller container
I created this sign using a piece of wood left over from our built-in bookshelves and stained it using Minwax stain in Special Walnut.
Prepare your stain
Make sure to shake thoroughly before opening your stain, as the pigment will settle to the bottom. Then, use a paint key or 
Stain Your Wood
Now, make sure when you’re applying your stain, you use a clean piece of cloth. Dip the corner into the stain, being careful not to soak it too much. Then, spread the stain evenly in long lines across the wood. 
Optional : Second coat of stain
Depending on how dark you want your wood to be, you can add an additional coat of stain. Since I was planning on doing his logo in white, I wanted my wood to be a bit darker. 
Don’t forget to do the sides!
Wipe the remaining stain
After letting your stain soak in for a minute or so, take a dry, clean cloth and wipe the excess stain until it’s dry. If your sign is going to be outdoors, you’ll want to add a thin coat of polyurethane to protect it (which is basically a clear top coat for your wood) – You can get it at any hardware store or Home Depot.
Sketch and paint your logo
Using acrylic paint, now it’s time to add on your logo or wording! Make sure to measure and sketch out with pencil before putting paint to wood!
The Final Product
And now for the finished sign as it made it’s first Farmer’s Market debut!
If you to learn more about Off The Bluff – visit their website at Otbfarms.com or follow them on instagram @Offtheblufffarms for your daily dose of veggies!
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