Step-by-Step: How to Prepare Wine Corks for Crafts

If you wish to use wine corks for crafts, it would be best to clean and soften them first. For example, you can boil or steam them for about fifteen minutes and let them dry for around ten minutes before cutting. Besides cleaning and softening the corks, doing this method also prevents them from crumbling.

Wine cork crafts are a lot of fun and an excellent way to use up your leftover corks at home. But, the issue is that cork can be a complex material to work with because it is prone to breaking and crumbling. Also, it is far too simple to cut yourself while working with them.

The key to safe and successful cork cutting is using the appropriate procedure and instruments for the job. Follow these steps to prepare your wine corks for crafts:

Step 1: Soften Your Corks

As I mentioned, it is best to prep your corks to make them soft enough to cut correctly. In addition, proper preparation helps to keep the cork from disintegrating while you work. So, here are two ways to soften them:

Steam Your Corks

1. Fill your steamer halfway with corks. But, you can also use a colander that fits inside a saucepan if you do not have a steamer.
2. Place your steamer in a pot of boiling water and fill the pot to the brim with about two inches of water. But, maintain a low enough water level so that it does not come into direct contact with the corks. Then, place the steamer in the pot after adding the water.
3. For ten minutes, let the corks steam and bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat. Next, remove the cover, turn off the heat, and let the corks cool down. Then, after steaming, you should notice that they are now soft enough to cut.

Boil Your Corks

Cover the pot and steam your corks for ten minutes and bring it to a boil over medium-high heat. Next, remove the lid after ten minutes, turn off the heat, and let the corks cool. Then, after boiling, they should be soft and easy to cut.

Tips:

• It is more difficult to soften unused corks purchased at craft stores or in bulk online. So, it might be better to work with corks removed from wine bottles.
• Boiled corks absorb more water and swell more than when you steam them. But do not worry because they will shrink back down to size as they dry.
• If your project requires adhesive, it is better to dry your boiled corks slightly longer than steamed corks.

Step 2: Cut Your Corks

Cut Your Corks Lengthwise

Cutting corks evenly lengthwise might be difficult because they tend to roll out of place. So, the key is to keep them from moving. But do not worry because you do not need a lot of woodworking knowledge to create a gadget to assist you. Here are six steps to cut your corks lengthwise:

What You Need:

• A piece of plywood about six inches broad and 16 inches long
• Two 12-inch pieces of one-by-two lumber
• Two one-inch by two-inch pieces of lumber
• Epoxy glue
• Pencil
• Ruler
• Four clamps for woodworking
• Hacksaw
• Corks

What You Need to Do:

1. First, place the plywood piece on your work surface and apply epoxy glueto the two inch-side of one of the one-by-twos. Next, glue side down, align the long edge of the one-by-two with the long edge of the plywood. Then, use your clamps to keep it in place, forming a border that prevents the corks from rolling.
2. Place many corks lengthwise along the edge you formed on the plywood. Next, slide the second one-by-two onto the plywood, creating another edge on the opposite side of the corks. Then, mark its location with a pencil.
3. Remove your corks and glue the other one-by-two in the designated spot, using clamps to keep it in place while it dries. Then, remove the clamps once the adhesive has dried.
4. Measure the distance between the one-by-twos with the ruler and mark the center with a pencil on both ends. Next, glue a one-inch one-by-two segment on each side of the pencil mark at the end of the longer sections.
5. Fill the gap between the two one-by-twos with a row of corks, securely fastening them between the two long pieces of wood.

a. The one-inch pieces on either end keep them in the channel and indicate where you should cut them into two even pieces.

6. Cut the corks in the middle using the hacksaw, using the little pieces of wood on either end as a guide.

Cut Your Corks Crosswise

You will need another instrument if you want to cut your corks the other way. But, it is less difficult to do! So, follow these five steps to cut yours crosswise:

What You Need:

• A six-inch-square piece of plywood
• Two one-inch by two-inch pieces of lumber
• Epoxy glue
• Clamps
• Hacksaw
• Chopping board
• Corks

What You Need to Do:

1. Fill the broadest section of one of the one-by-two pieces with epoxy glue. Then, align this piece with the edge of the plywood and fasten it with a clamp.
2. Place a cork next to the one-by-two on the plywood. Next, you will attach the other piece of your one-by-two to the other side of the cork with epoxy and clamps and allow the glue to dry before removing it.
3. Remove the clamps once the adhesive completely dries and place your newly created tool on top of a cutting board.
4. Insert a cork into the groove formed by the two one-by-two pieces. Then, adjust it, so its half is in the tool and half is poking out.
5. Finally, with the hacksaw, you will cut the cork along the edge of the instrument. But, make sure that the cutting board is under it in case your saw slips.

What Can I Make Out of Corks?

If you love wine, you may find yourself collecting wine corks over time, and you may be wondering how to reuse them. You can use them in various ways, like making coasters, boards, and different home decor. Plus, you can use them to create more practical things like cardholders, drawer knobs, and fridge magnets.

1. Cork Coaster

Using cut wine corks to make coasters is an excellent way to reuse your leftover corks. Not only are they beautiful, but cork coasters are also ideal for various places like your kitchen, coffee shops, or even bars!

2. Corkboard

Making a corkboard is one of the more apparent uses for your leftover corks. But, you might want to buy them from Amazon to make sure they are all the same size. So, if you wish to make one, I recommend purchasing these wine corks.

Although buying is not a must, it will make things easier for you. But, in any case, this craft is well worth the effort! Plus, you can add a customized frame to ass a personal touch to your eye-catching yet functional board.

3. Wall Art

There are various cork wall art alternatives to choose from for your house, so it is almost impossible to run out of ideas. For example, a wine cork monogram to display on your wall will add a personal touch to your space. Besides these projects, you could also construct different decor using your leftover corks.

4. Fridge Magnets

You can use your wine corks to make fridge magnets that can hold tiny goods like pens and keep them handy in the kitchen for when you need them. Just grab a small, thin pocket knife and make a hole in the inside of a wine cork. Then, using adhesive, place a small magnet on the back.

5. Card Holders

Cork cardholders are helpful in events like weddings, holidays, or even regular dinner parties. You can cut a tiny sliver of the wine cork with a utility knife to create a flat, smooth surface that will hold your card in place.

6. Keychains

Making a keychain out of a wine cork is one of the most basic crafts you can do. All you need is a screw with a looped end and screw it into the top of your wine cork. Then, wrap your keyring around the loop to finish.

7. Mini Stamps

If you enjoy bullet journaling or like to use stamps to add a personal touch to your letters and other notes, you can save a lot of money by making your DIY stamps out of corks! Another fantastic thing about this craft is it allows you to personalize them in any way you desire, making each one unique.

8. DIY Drawer Knobs

Wine corks would be excellent drawer knobs, but champagne corks will work better, so hopefully, you have some of those on hand as well! But if you do not have champagne corks, you might want to get some for this project because they will give your furniture a more unique, rustic character.

How to Make Cork Coasters?

Making coasters is one of the most common ways to reuse your leftover corks. You need around ten to fifteen of them to make coasters, so this project is ideal if you have plenty of leftover wine corks. First, you will arrange them in a circle on a level surface. Then, using a hot glue gun, you will attach the corks and fill the gaps.

What You Need:

• Corks
• Corkboard roll
• Hot glue gun
• Twine

What You Need to Do:

1. Gather your corks and mix and match them according to your preferences. Then, arrange them in a square pattern that has two corks per side.
2. Place a strip of glue using your hot glue gun between two corks, pressing them together for about thirty seconds. Then, repeat this step for the other corks.
3. Unroll your corkboard to measure and cut squares to make your coaster base.
4. Using your hot glue gun, you will put glue on the board and wait for a few seconds until it becomes tacky. Then, start attaching your cork sets in your chosen pattern.
5. Use more hot glue to fill the gaps between corks, applying constant pressure for around thirty seconds.
6. Finally, once the glue completely dries, you can wrap the twine around the outside of your coaster. Then, make sure to tie a knot to secure them.