Coasters

Coasters are an easy, inexpensive, and customizable way to make a unique gift.  Here’s what you need.

Materials:

• Four tiles that have no finish or glaze on them. (I bought mine by the box at Lowes. They came in boxes of 9).

• A roll of cork

• Rubber stamps of your choice

• Ink (black works best, make sure it’s appropriate for all surfaces. Mine is “StazOn” jet black

• Adhesive to attach cork to tile (I think I used  plain old rubber cement but am not positive)

• Clear acrylic sealer (matte finish)

1. Measure your cork and mark so that you cut squares to adhere to the back of your tile that are slightly smaller than the tile. Use a straight edge and x-acto knife so you get a clean cut.

2. Spread your rubber cement on the back of your tile and position cork. Turn over so tile is on top and let dry.

3. Rubber stamp you designs on the tile (you may want to practice on paper first). Ink up heavily and apply a good deal of pressure, because the tile doesn’t absorb like paper does.  Let dry completely. (This is important, because if not dry when you apply sealer, the design may run.)

4. Spray tiles with clear acrylic sealer. These fumes are nasty, so do so in a well-ventilated area. Spray however may coats the directions on the sealer denote. Mine called for three coats. Spray lightly but steadily, and let dry completely between coats. You’ll want to make sure you cover the whole tile with the sealer because this will protect it and will keep the image from running when wet glasses are placed on it.

5. Tie with a bow, your gift is ready!

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