At a recent market, Chris wanted to introduce magnet-sized versions of our popular locally-inspired plaques. But as anyone who’s done a market knows, displaying small items like magnets can be surprisingly tricky; especially when you also want to add height and visibility to your stall.
Some time ago, I’d picked up an IKEA Svensas Magnetic Memo Board for our home office. It had been hanging on the wall, mostly unused. Chris wondered: could we turn it into a freestanding display?
The Challenge
The biggest issue was stability. The board needed to stand up securely on a market table; even when customers were picking up and replacing magnets, or if the table got knocked. We couldn’t risk it toppling over mid-sale.
We also didn’t want to make permanent changes to the board, since I still wanted to use it at home in between events. That meant any solution had to be removable, sturdy, and easy to pack down.
The Solution
Chris designed and 3D printed two custom feet that slot securely onto the bottom of the board. Each foot includes a rear tab that clips around the back panel, keeping the board upright and locked in place, but without any glue or screws.
The wide, chunky base gives it plenty of stability, even when people are browsing or bumping the table. And when the market’s over, the feet can be popped off and packed away, ready for next time.
Our Thoughts
We were really happy with the overall results. We were able to raise the magnets up to closer to eye level, which drew customers to them (compared to if they were laid flat on the table). Some customers were still a little scared to take magnets off themselves, but the board did seem to be quite sturdy with only a little bit of wobble. Overall, it stayed where we needed it and looked great.
How You Might Use This Board
The Svensas Memo Board from Ikea is a great size for creative businesses to gain some height on their market stall easily. It would be ideal for anything that is magnetic, and with the board also doubling up as a Memo Board, you can use whiteboard pens on it, allowing you to decorate it with titles, pricing and any other information customers might need.
Interested in buying? Click here to purchase a set of 2 3D Printed Feet for the Ikea Svensas Memo Board.