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Painted Cork Coasters with #myfavoritebloggers

Do you have annual craft traditions?  Well, I’ve decided I’m going to make it a tradition that every November, I tackle a new coaster project.  Last November, I created my Anthropologie Wallpaper Coasters, and this November I’m all about the Painted Cork Coasters.  What do you think?  Are they a worthy platform for your hot drink of choice?

DIY Painted Cork Coasters.  Easy and inexpensive gift idea!

What if I told you that each set of 4 coasters cost me under $4 to make?  Not too shabby for a DIY gift that doesn’t look like it cost less than $4.

I’m not the only one sharing a DIY gift for $20 or under today!  I’ve conspired with some of #myfavoritebloggers (yes, we have our own hashtag) to share a whole slew of 12 DIY gift ideas for $20 or under.  So, you’re pretty much set with your DIY gifting this year, thanks to these gals:

#myfavoritebloggers November edition: DIY Gifts for $20 or less!

You’ll find the links to their creations at the bottom of this post, but first, let me share this fun and frugal DIY gift tutorial with y’all:

DIY Painted Cork Coasters

Supply List:

(Note that some of these are affiliate links, meaning if you make a purchase using one of them, I may earn a small commission.  Thanks for supporting this site!  Read all the fine print here.)

Cork Coasters

  • Cork coasters (I purchased each set of 4 for only $2.99 each at Jo-Ann’s, similar to these.)
  • Painter’s tape (I used a roll of green tape we had on hand and a roll of Frog Shape Tape I took home as SWAG from Haven.)

Painter's Tape

  • Acrylic paints (use what you have on hand!)

Paint

  • Felt (enough to cover the base of your coasters; I used what I had, but a quarter yard should do!)
  • Water-resistant glue like the Amazing E-6000.
  • Water-resistant clear acrylic spray or shellac finish & sealer.  This costs around $5 and can be picked up at most craft and hardware stores.  (I used Tree House Clear Acrylic Gloss Coating and got it for around $3.50 with the 40% coupon on my Hobby Lobby app.)
  • Other items you’ll want: paint brushes, fabric scissors, and plenty of snacks!  (Always.)

So, if you’re like me and have most of these supplies on hand already, 4 sets of 4 coasters and acrylic spray should cost you $15.50 or less!  Which as I shared before, works out to less than $4 for a set of 4.  That’s quite a steal if you ask me!

And yes, it’s as easy as you think it is to create these cork coasters.  You probably don’t even need the play-by-play, but I can’t help myself.  I love writing a good tutorial!  Here we go:

Tutorial:

1.  Tape your coasters.  I opted for two different design schemes: color-blocking and ombre waves.

For color-blocking, I knew I wanted to leave thin strips of cork in between my blocks of color, so I simply trimmed down my painter’s tape into thinner strips and lay those strips down in whatever geometric pattern suited my fancy.  You really cannot go wrong here!  So, trust your gut, and don’t over-think it.

Applying painter's tape for color-blocking coasters.

And the waves were simply two strips of the Frog Tape, one atop the other!

TIP: Make sure your tape is long enough to wrap down the edges and underneath to help it stay adhered through the painting process.  And press that tape down good and hard before moving onto the next step.  Since cork is porous, it will be easy for paint to creep under the edges of your tape if you’re not vigilant.

2.  Paint your coasters.  I tried out various color-combinations for each set of 4 coasters I had purchased, layering at least two coats of acrylic paint on each.  For the waves, I did a solid color on each in an ombre collection of 4.  And for the color-blocking, I did a set with greens and blues and a second set with reds and pinks.  I’m thinking the green and blue color-blocked set will grace our coffee table in the months ahead.  It matches our lime green decor!

The artist at work!  In the process of painting the coasters.

Painted coasters setting to dry.

Painted coasters setting to dry.

3.  Seal it!  I decided to spray the coasters with a waterproof craft sealant before removing the tape.  Why?  (I’m so glad you asked.  Smile.)  Well, since the cork is absorbent, I wanted to leave some of that absorbent surface exposed to help soak up any liquid on a sweating glass – – whereas the sealed paint will resist it.  And you don’t want a pool of water just resting on your coaster.

Clear Acrylic Gloss Spray Sealant

Read the instructions on your can for specifics.  I have found that these sealants take time to fully cure, so I recommend that you wait to put hot drinks on them for 2 – 3 weeks.  (If you can bear to wait that long.)  And expect the sealed surfaces to be a bit tacky to the touch.

4.  Peel away your tape.  Ready for the most rewarding part?  After your sealant has had time to dry, peel away your tape and see your designs take on life!  I was really impressed by how crisp most of the lines were despite the porous nature of the cork.  The white and navy blue needed some minor touching up in areas – – the white because its not a color that blends well; the navy blue because it was more liquidy than my other paints and seeped under the tape edges a bit in places.  Nothing a little touching up can’t fix!

The most rewarding step: peeling away the tape!

5.  Adhere your felt to the base of the coasters.  The last step is to add a layer of cushion to the bottom of your cork coaster using felt; I cut one square just a hair smaller than the size of the coaster square.  (This isn’t an absolutely necessary step, but I find it helps create a really “finished” look to your coasters, plus it helps cover any paint splatters on the bottom side of your coasters.)

For adhesion, I used the Amazing E-6000 glue, which is great because it’s waterproof and extremely strong; however, I’m sure most craft-glues would suffice.  If you use E-6000, relocate outside or be sure your workspace is well-ventilated; and I recommend wearing rubber gloves.  It’s Amazing glue, but it’s also amazingly potent, and you don’t want to mess with it!

Add a felt backing to your coasters for a more finished look.

Now, your coasters are ready to rock!

DIY Painted Cork Coasters - - Color-blocking for a more modern approach.  Super inexpensive gift idea.

DIY Painted Cork Coasters.  Easy and inexpensive gift idea!

DIY Painted Cork Coasters - - Ombre waves.  Inexpensive gift idea that doesn't take all day to make! DIY Painted Cork Coasters - - Ombre waves.  Inexpensive gift idea that doesn't take all day to make!

These will make great gifts for neighbors, teachers, family members (they would fit well in a stocking!), or even for yourself.  As I said, we plan on using one of these sets…and I *may* have already tested it out.  Me and my lime green mug very much approve.  I hope you do, too!

Painted Cork Coasters...tested and approved!

Such an easy and inexpensive gift idea: painted cork coasters!

And something fun for your pinning pleasure:

Such an easy and inexpensive gift idea: painted cork coasters!

More Coasters!  More Color-Blocking!

When it comes to coasters and color-blocking, this ain’t my first rodeo.  Here are a few past projects that you might enjoy:

DIY Wallpaper Coasters via The Thinking Closet
Anthropologie-Inspired DIY Wallpaper Coasters
Color-Blocked Bobby Pin Tutorial | The Thinking Closet
Color-Blocked Bobby Pin Tutorial

The Inspiration Doesn’t Stop Here!

12 DIY Gifts for $20 or less!  My kind'a budget.

Check out the other DIY Gift Ideas (for $20 or less) by the #myfavoritebloggers collective:

And happy gift-making!

{Linking up at these parties.}

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49 Comments

  1. Just made a set today of the color blocking coasters! Usually my projects don’t turn out that great BUT today was different. This article with all the great instructions made a monumental difference in the success of my project. I am sooo happy with the final results and want to say thank you for putting this out there! Thank you!!! Also, your examples are beautiful!

  2. Do you think this type of sealant work work on a larger piece of cork for a trivet? Just wondering if the heat would melt the paint.

  3. Been meaning to let you know, but better late than never! Totally made these as one of my sister’s Christmas gifts… they turned out great! I can’t wait to give them to her tomorrow! 🙂

    1. Ha ha. So glad you’re a fan, my friend! And it’s official – – DIY coasters is becoming a November-ly tradition! (If Allison approves, then by George, I sure do.) 😉

    1. Ha ha. It’s probably TMI, but I’m glad you enjoyed it, Kristina & Millie! Happy holiday week to you two, too!

    1. Thanks, Amy! Those ended up being my favorites, too. 😉 And thanks for the invite. I try to make the Link It or Lump It Party every week if I can! Allison is a dear bloggy buddy of mine and so fun to see you co-hosting, Amy!

    1. You’re kind, Stephanie! Do you think a cluster of four coasters tied up with a string would suffice or should I include a bottle of wine with it?

  4. I am so funny! I thought as I read your article “we don’t have any craft traditions” 🙁
    Then it occurred to me that we just basically craft when we aren’t at school or work and depending apon the season or reason we are crafting to it’s rhythm.
    The coasters are practical, beautiful and fun!

  5. These coasters are great Lauren! I love how you seal them beforehand to leave some of the cork to absorb water. That’s the problem I think with the tile coasters – the water would just roll off, but these cork ones would work great, as I imagine your lime green cup will show 🙂 Thanks for an awesome tutorial!

  6. Love the geometric designs and how you’ve make them so colorful and easy! Impressed you already have your tree up, too! Me? I’m just watching corny Hallmark Christmas movies.
    Can’t wait to work on some Christmas gifts with you soon!

    1. I saw these in you-know-who’s apartment this past weekend! They look great and she is using them and I used them, too! They are so pretty!
      I re-read this post and liked your guidance: “So, trust your gut, and don’t over-think it.”

      I need to remember that in many different life projects and circumstances! 🙂

  7. yes, this is awesome!! So awesome, that will will be doing this. soon! I am thinking tomorrow night. yep, it’s a date. what a great Christmas gift idea! a perfect addition to a drink themed gift or stocking stuffers!

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