Chic Wooden Coasters
Giving gifts is rewarding, but it's even more rewarding when the presents are homemade. Watch the bride's face light up as she unwraps the adorable Chic Wooden Coasters. These homemade coasters look store bought, but you can make them for under $10 thanks to hardware store floor samples. These DIY bridal shower gifts are useful, and you can be sure you'll see them out at the bride's new house. Match the wedding colors to make these DIY coasters even more unique and special. Learn how to make coasters that cost nothing but mean everything.
Estimated CostUnder $10
Time to CompleteWeekend project
Primary TechniqueWood Crafts
Materials:
- 4 hardwood floor samples
- Stencils and/or tape, optional
- Acrylic paints
- Clear acrylic sealer, optional!
- Cork board Contact Paper
- Paintbrushes and the outdoors, along with newspapers/fabric to place the coasters on while you seal them.
Instructions:
1.) Decide on your designs. I decided to make 2 with an oval frame, and 2 with random stripes.
2.) Paint the stencil, if you choose to use one. Carefully peel it off (if it is an adhesive stencil) and gently clean with soap and water.
3.) You can also combine stencils and tape, just like I added painted corners to the coasters with oval frames. When painting along the edge, I'd recommend moving the brush towards/off the edge.
4.) Painters tape will give you much crisper, cleaner lines, but craft tape is also a good size for coasters. It's up to you which one you'd like to use. Apply paint, taking care to not overload the brush. Quick, large strokes will work best. Also keep in mind that some wood samples will have natural grooves in them, so the paint might naturally travel under the tape a bit.
5.) When the paint is dry, peel off the tape.
6.) Optional: Spray the coasters with clear acrylic sealer. The paint will end up lasting longer, BUT scratches will show a little more on the layer of clear sealer. I figure this will give it a vintage-y look over time - but it's up to you if you'd like to use it! I'd recommend doing this outside on a covered surface. Don't forget to shake the can well beforehand and to spray from a decent distance from the wood. Otherwise, spraying too close will cause the sealer to pool on the surface. Let dry in between coats, according to the can's directions (I did a total of 3 coats). Let dry overnight.
7.) Cut a piece of adhesive cork, and adhere to the back side of each coaster. Make sure you peel away JUST the printed paper backing, and not the clear sticky film in between. Otherwise, your cork will easily break! If you look close enough, you'll be able to see the different layers. If you're not using cork contact paper, simply glue the backing of your choice with a strong glue such as E6000.
