DIY: Cork Tile Placemat from Wine Corks

Thanks to Creme de la Craft we have found another wonderful way to reuse those wine corks!  We absolutely love upcycle projects, and this one is right up our alley.  We get to drink wine AND make fun, easy crafts?  Yes, please.

Check out their webpage for more DIY! 

DIY: Cork Tile Placemat From Wine Corks

   

If you're a cork collector like me, this DIY project is for you. Wine drinkers know how many leftover corks you can accumulate over the years, so let's put them to use! Not only do I love wine, but I love using cork for crafting projects. It's easy to cut, naturally waterproof with a beautiful rustic look, and it has a cushion material that makes for the perfect handmade placemat.

The DIY possibilities are endless by simply gluing corks together. You can also make coasters, table runners, trivets, floor mats or cork boards, just to name a few. Make one for yourself or maybe a gift for a wine lover? The best part is, if you know how to use a glue gun, you'll be a pro at this project.

Follow the steps below to make your own upcycled cork placemat. 

Materials:
• Approximately 50 wine corks. Don't have some handy? You have some options: (a) drink lots of wine (b) ask your local restaurants, bars or wine shops or (c) buy them online
• Utility knife
• Hot glue gun

Tip: Use as many red wine corks as possible to add some beautiful shades of red to your placemat.

Steps:
•  Cut corks horizontally into small pieces (about 5-6 pieceseach). All pieces should be similar in size so that when they are glued together, you can easily place objects on top, but don't worry about making them exact. A little contrast in size actually gives the finished product a beautiful look.
• Place the corks into your desired shape and glue each cork to one another using a glue gun (you only need a small amount). I suggest placing a large piece of cardboard underneath in case any pieces get stuck to your work surface.
• If they do, use a knife to gently scrape them off and remove.

DIY: Fabric Covered Cork Boards

Sew Much Sunshine has made these adorable and loveable cork boards covered in fun and festive fabrics.  We cannot wait to make these ourselves!!  We see cork boards in our future...

You'll need a hot glue gun, scissors, fabric, cork & a pen or fabric marker.

 Trace around the cork leaving about an inch of room all the way around.

Plug the hot glue gun in and allow it to warm up. Cut fabric. Turn upside down and place the cork on the fabric. Spread a strip of glue along the edge of the cork. Pull fabric up and smoosh onto the glue with your fingers.

This is what it will start to look like. Continue all the way around.

Here's the completed cork.

Repeat with the second one.

And the third.

DIY Cork Bulletin Board Bar

So easy, and a great way to upcycle / reuse those wine corks!  Don't have wine corks saved up?  Hit up your local wine bar or restaurant and ask them to save some for you for one night - you'll have plenty!  They usually have no problem saving them for people, you just have to ask!

This Bulletin Bar keeps bulletin board overlap at bay while doubling as a recycling project: It uses up all those corks you've been saving for no particular reason.

Materials

• 45 corks (per yard)
• A yardstick

• Hot glue gun

Instructions

1. To make one, simply glue the corks side by side onto a yardstick or similar strip of wood. Uhu brand "natural materials" glue works well, as does hot glue, and you'll need about 45 corks per yard. Do not glue the first and last cork on either end of the yardstick--that's where you'll fasten the bar to the wall.
   
   
2. Let the glue dry, then screw or nail the board to the wall. Glue the last cork on each end after you've screwed your board in place on the wall.