Several years ago, when I first discovered Pinterest, I started seeing things you can make with wine corks. “OK,” I thought, “I can do that!” I started saving corks and went out and bought a glue gun.
As Christmas approached that year, I grabbed my glue gun and bucket of corks and headed for the dining room table. That’s when I discovered I needed a few more things for my first project – a wine cork Christmas tree. Back to the craft store for more supplies.
Fully stocked, I plugged in the glue gun and got to work. I admit, I am not very crafty. Wine corks, though, are easy and really forgiving. My little tree came out great! I was determined to keep trying. I made several more trees that year and even gave a couple away as gifts.
I saved more corks and started thinking about other things I could try to create. I considered a trivet or decorative tray. I thought, “hmm, maybe a bath mat?” I’d seen a picture of one online and it was kinda cool looking. Naw, too funky-looking. But I kept saving corks and kept thinking of ideas.
A hand-crafted metal sign we acquired in Key West begged to be filled with corks. They added texture and a bit of color to the already unique piece of art.
When we moved to Arizona, my cork pile was getting pretty substantial. I had enough to use as filler in a giant vase. I made a few more trees as gifts. I was beginning to wonder what on Earth I could do with all those corks. A friend sent a picture of a chair made out of wine corks. Another emailed me a wine cork bikini. I considered my hobby was getting out of hand.
Then I noticed the spot behind our wine sink. It was a bare wall that needed something bar-themed to cover it. AHA! I could cover it with wine corks! I measured the space, cut a piece of cardboard to use as a backer and grabbed the glue gun. My first attempt was crooked and amateurish. When we repainted the room, I took all the corks off the cardboard and started over.
This time I used thin plywood for a backer and planned a little more carefully. I took my time, used a pattern I had in my head and started gluing. Hours later I was thrilled. This one looks like I knew what I was doing. It includes wine and champagne corks saved for years. It’s art with memories. I’m already saving corks again for whatever comes next.
There’s a whole world out there just waiting to be explored. Save your corks and create your own art when you get home.
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