Sunday, August 26, 2012

Craft Time - Coasters!

So I knew I had some free time and desire to be crafty this weekend so I went to my go to "Craft Ideas" board on Pinterest. On what was turning out to be a stressful Friday at work I became overwhelmed in 5 seconds. How do you choose from hundreds of craft projects that you want to do?!?

I narrowed it down to a few things that I knew I could complete in a day or two. I decided on coasters. Not only was it appealing because I could be done quickly but also I hoped it would be inexpensive.








FIrst you'll need to gather your supplies - if you're new to crafting you'll need to get some investment items such as the modge podge, the Acrylic Crystal Clear spray paint, and a small x-acto knife. Your supplies list will include:



  • Ceramic Tiles 
    • I bought small square tiles from Home Depot for 16 cents each! 
  • Scrapbook paper 
    • I was making a total of 12 coasters so I bought 6 sheets of scrapbook paper. You can get 4 tiles out of each sheet but JUST incase you make a mistake you'll want the extra. Depending which pattern you buy the paper ranged from 59 cents - $1.99. 
    • I chose a flat paper without any sparkles or raised pattern because I wasn't sure how it would turn out with the modge podge over it
  • Foam Brush
  • X-acto knife 
    • I found mine in the scrapbooking aisle at the craft store
  • Modge Podge 
    • I have two different types - the Matte & Gloss finish so I figure i'll try both for this project
  • Acrylic clear spray paint 
    • I bought Krylon Acrylic Crystal Clear - You can get this either at Home Depot when you're buying the tiles or if you're like me and are so amped to find the perfect tiles at Home Depot that you pay, walk out, and drive away before remembering that you needed this ... you can just get it at the craft store. 
  • Wine - no friday night of crafting is complete without wine. 
    • You can see my choice for the night to the right >>>>

You'll want to start by cutting out the paper for the top of the tiles. Just line up the tile on the paper and cut around the edges with the x-acto knife.



Then take the modge podge with your foam brush and cover the top of the tile completely - make sure you get all the way to the edges because you don't want the paper to lift at all. Then set the paper on top of the modge podged tile. Make sure the paper lays flat and there aren't and wrinkles or bubbles. Brush on more modge podge on top of the paper. Also brush around the edges to make sure it is sealed onto the tile.


Repeat the process with each of the tiles and various papers you have chosen. I did four with the Matte finish podge and 8 with the gloss. Only when comparing them side by side can you actually tell the difference in the finishes.



Because the edges of the tiles looked unfinished I decided to choose an acrylic paint to pull one of the colors out of the paper. I painted the edges and the bottoms.


Finally spray the tops, bottoms, and sides of the tiles with the acrylic crystal clear spray so that the coasters are water resistant. And voila! Cute custom coasters :) My mom is insistant that I should sell them at craft fairs... We'll see about that - I think I just prefer to set my wine glass on them instead! 

7 comments:

  1. Very good job explaining all the steps. Thanks!

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  2. I've been looking for a simple tutorial for this - thanks! LOVE the paper you chose as well! Great colors.

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  3. What great instructions you provided for this project! I enlarged the photo showing the white tiles to see the actual size. I made some "coaster" tiles as part of my daughter's bridal shower gift. I also made her some "hot plate trivets" from 6"x 6" size tiles and they were really easy to work with. I'm going to get some tiles like you've shown in this "pin" and try making some more coasters. I'm finding that creating "tile art" is really fun & less stressful! I posted the photos of my "tile" projects on my board called "DIY - Tile and Coaster Projects". I just bought a box of discounted 6"x 6" tile to use making the "hot plate trivets." These tiles were marked down to 76 cents each; the whole box cost only $19.00.

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  4. I also make these tiles and sell them at craft shows. The problem is that they are not heat resistant, when you only use the clear spray. I went to an auto parts store (auto zone) and bought a can of clear heat resistant engine spray. Heat resistant up to 550*. 2 coats then bake for 1 hour at 200* to cure it. Works like a charm!

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    1. Lindy....did you use both the clear spray then the heat resistant engine spray?

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  5. Yes 2 coats of clear spray, let dry the 2 coats of engine spray. Curing time is 21 days or you can bake in low heat oven. Directions are on the back of the van. I would recommend using a toaster oven outside if possible because it smells bad and I don’t think it’s healthy to do it in your oven.

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  6. I love this. Did you cover the back with cork or felt to protect the tables?

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