Tired of paying outrageous prices for home decor? Well here is a cheap and easy alternative. A great decoration for a home is a wood sign. This is a fun and stress relieving activity to do during free time. It is a cheap alternative than buying a decoration in the store. Making a wood sign is so easy anyone can do it. These are the steps to follow to make a decorative wood sign.

Step 1: Find and Sand the Wood

First, find a piece of wood. Any kind of wood works for this project it doesn't have to be fancy! Cut it to the size that looks like the best fit for the design that is going to be put on it. Before beginning to paint, use a piece of course grit sandpaper or an electric sander to make sure the edges are smooth and there are no splinters. Use a damp cloth, dry brush, or tack paper to remove any dust that it may create.

Step 2: Start Painting

Next, glaze or paint the wood. If you want a more natural wood look I recommend glazing it. For a more vintage appearance, I recommend painting it. Whichever method is used, allow the glaze or paint to dry for 30-60 minutes before proceeding to the next step.

Step 3: Vintage Look

Now, choose a second paint color and paint a second coat on the wood. Allow paint to dry for 1 to 2 hours. To achieve the vintage look with the paint, use a bucket of water and sandpaper. Get the sandpaper wet and rub back and forth across the paint where distressing is desired.

Step 4: The Design

The fourth step would be to choose what design to put on the wood. If you do not have any stencils, a cricket machine is a great machine to use to make them. Place the stencil on the wood. After it’s on making sure everything is centered. Then it’s time to dab paint on the stencil using a sponge brush, once the paint is on take the stencil off, and touch up the design.