#pin map

http://agiftedexistence.blogspot.ca/2012/03/cork-board-world-map-from-luckies.html

This is what I have.. I just want it have it in a way that I can move it when I decide to paint my office, etc. Also, that way I'd be able to put pictures all over the board and use strings to connect them to the pins of the cities...

Reader Submissions: Pin Maps

Remember my post on how to build your own pin map? Well a couple of readers followed suit and submitted their success photos. Check 'em out!

Claudine made hers for only $17! She used a cork board instead of a frame + cork backing and fancied the whole thing up with some kind of stick on edging/patterned masking tape she picked up at Michael's (and I'm unable to find a link to online). How she lined that pattern up so well, I have no idea--that is skill, folks! We discussed that if the cork board were too big for the map, she could've put photos in the gap around the edges.

Stuart went all out on his--he got a really nice frame and an awesome map with flags at the bottom. It paid off, because it looks really nice (note to self, for Pin Map version 2.0). Also, he does have some pretty awesome spots pinned on there ;)

As you may recall, I made my own pin map a couple of weeks ago. I've been wanting one for a long time, but it turns out they're absurdly expensive. As a frugalista, there is no way I could be convinced to spend hundreds of dollars on a map with some cork board behind it in a picture frame. Instead, I made one myself for less than $57 and a couple hours of my time. And here's how I did it:

Step 1: Get shopping! Here's what you need to buy:

Map - I got mine from National Geographic during one of their many sales for a mere $14.69, after shipping. (World Political Map (Classic), unlaminated, poster-sized,--getting anything larger would've increased the cost of a frame substantially). Keep in mind, you could go for a regional map instead, if that better suits your travel desires. *NOTE: I would recommend flattening out your map in advance, so that the final assembly stages go more easily than they do with a rolled up piece of paper. 

Frame - My frame of choice was one of two that came in a set from Walmart for $55.41, after tax and shipping (working out to about $27.71 per frame). It's decent quality and looks good on the wall--all my apartment needs at this stage in life. 

Cork board - I bought a roll of 2' x 4' cork board on Amazon for $8.99. This size worked well for me, but if I had to do it again I would definitely buy flat cork board instead of the roll. More on that later...

Pins - I sprung for these Maped "map pins" for $4.99 per pack. They're good--nice colors and no complaints about the quality, but you could definitely go with regular old pins like you'd use for sewing. Don't be swayed by the "reusable plastic case"--it's not all that reusable.    

Adhesive of choice (not pictured) - As I went along, I realized that I needed something to adhere the cork board to the frame backing. I tried Zots, but those weren't strong enough. I then dug out some rubber cement that worked quite well. I'm guessing any kind of strong glue would do the trick.

Step 2: Disassemble the frame. Remove the backing and the clear plastic (or glass, if you have an unnecessarily fancy frame). 

Step 3: Use the plastic (which you won't need anymore) to measure the cork board and cut accordingly.

When cutting your board, try to be as precise as possible. That said, going slightly smaller than the plastic is preferable to bigger--otherwise you have to trim later and that's a pain in the arse once you have everything assembled. Ideally, your first round of cutting will by your last. 

Here is where the flat cork board would've been super helpful--the rolled board made measuring and cutting unnecessarily difficult, and can cause a wrinkly map if the adhesive comes off after you've hung it. Just go ahead and buy the flat panels instead--it will make your life much easier (just make sure you buy enough). Or at the very least, flatten out your rolled cork in advance so that it's ready to go. 

Step 4: Apply adhesive to your backing.

You see here one of my failed Zots. After I realized these wouldn't be sufficient, I busted out the Elmer's rubber cement and went to town along the border. You're not stupid, so I don't need to show you what that would look like--just slather it on there and remember to put some in the middle too (you don't want the cork to roll back up later on). 

Step 5: Adhere cork board to backing, stack stuff on top of it and let it sit for a while--you want it to stay together, after all. 

My craft box, netbook, travel journal and Yankee Candle did the trick. Grab anything heavy enough and stack it on there!

Step 6: Reassemble your frame. Map in front, cork board/backing in the back. Don't reassemble using the plastic/glass as that would obviously defeat the purpose of a pin map! This also seems silly to say, but make sure everything's facing the appropriate direction--you don't want to put everything together and then realize that your map hangs upside down. *NOTE: Problems can arise during this stage if your map isn't flattened out in advance or your cork board isn't trimmed enough.

Step 7: Apply pins!!! This is the best part. ;)

Our map is only for places we've traveled to together, otherwise we'd have probably twice as many pins. 

Step 8: Hang and enjoy!

We decided to hang ours in our entryway--it's the first thing you see when you open our front door. It makes me so happy to look at it every time I enter the apartment--a perfect welcome after a long day at work. 

All in all, I'm very happy with my map. After a few weeks it's rolling up a bit, but that could've been avoided had I heeded some of the tips mentioned above (it will be an easy fix--no big deal). I'm very happy I decided to make it myself instead of buy one--it was cheap, easy, and something I can be proud of :)