Wine Cork Craft Projects

From LoveToKnow Crafts

If you are wondering what to do with that basket of wine corks in your kitchen, consider a wine cork craft project. Craft projects are a great way to recycle wine corks and indulge your creativity.

Uses of Wine Corks

Maybe you saved corks because of a unique design or perhaps as a remembrance of a special occasion. Yet, corks are useful for more than sealing a bottle of wine. You can actually turn those corks into something useful or decorative.

Wine cork uses include:

Mulch: Cut up a number of corks and grind them into fine mulch for the garden. The cork material will help plants retain water.
Orchid soil mixture: Slice up a cork and place it in the soil with an orchid to help the plant hold onto moisture. Orchid growers commonly use wine corks.
Scratch prevention pads for bottom of furniture: Cut corks and attach them to the bottoms of chair legs and table legs to prevent the furniture from scratching the floor.
Fishing bobber: Drill a hole through the cork and attach a piece of doweling. Allow the doweling to hang slightly over the top and bottom of the cork and make a knot.
Pin cushion: Attach four wine corks together with either glue or straightened paper clips. Stick pins, needles and thumbtacks into the corks to create a pin cushion.
Painting pattern: Use wine corks in place of sponges to create patterns on the wall when painting a room. Cut patterns in the corks to make different designs. Single or multiple corks held against the wall will create different looks.
High carbon knife cleaner: High carbon knives discolor easily. Wet the knife and apply some cleanser. Scrub away the discoloration with a cork to safely clean the sharp blade.

Types of Wine Cork Crafts

In addition to practical uses, wine corks can be incorporated into many different craft projects. Wine corks are ideal for crafts because of the size. A standard cork size has a ¾" internal neck. The cork length can range between 1 ½ " to 2 ½ ". The sizes allow you to create many designs.

Wine cork craft projects include:

Wreaths: You can create a simple and elaborate wreath with wine corks. Use glue, straight pins or a straightened paper clip to attach corks together as you form the wreath design.
Trivets: If you have a picture frame with a wooden backing, you can create a trivet by gluing rows of corks onto the frame. Many different designs are possible. You can also make a wooden frame and add a backing to customize your trivet size.
Garland: Make a holiday garland with the wine corks as a fun way to recycle the corks and remember special occasions associated with the wine. These types of garlands make great gifts for newly married couples. Use wine corks from their wedding and present the wine cork garland to them as a gift for their first Christmas together.
Coasters: Cut each cork in half and create a flat design such as a flower, sun, square or oval with a pattern. Glue the cork pieces together in the desired design.
Jewelry: Shape wine corks into beads with patterns to create necklaces and bracelets. Add accent beads to the jewelry for unique designs.
Refrigerator magnet and message board: Create a message board by gluing pieces of cork to refrigerator magnets in a decorative design. Use thumbtacks to hold messages in place on the magnet.
Stamps: Carve a design such as a small pattern, shape or a letter onto the bottom of a wine cork to create a stamp. Cork stamps work best with paint.
Birdhouse decoration: Slice pieces of wine cork and paint them. Glue the painted pieces to a birdhouse.
Knife holder: Glue a number of corks together to form a knife holder. Cut an opening in the holder for the knife rest.
Place card holders: Cut a slit into a wine cork and insert a place card. The cork will hold up the place card.
Beaded curtain: Drill a hole into each cork and string them together in patterns to create beaded curtains that can be used in doorways or as a room divider. Use decorative beads with the corks to create beautiful designs.

Online Wine Cork Craft Projects

Many craft websites provide free printable instructions for cork craft projects. Online wine cork crafts include:

You Really Made That: The site has instructions with photos for an elegant wine cork trivet gift set.
Craft Ideas Guide: The Craft Ideas Guide has a helpful article with detailed ideas for creating wine cork crafts.
Wine Intro: The Wine Intro site has advice for using wine corks in crafts.
Crafters Love Crafts: The Crafters Love Crafts site has instructions and advice for wine cork crafts such as trivets and stamps.
Daily Inspiration Blog: The blog has printable instructions for a simple but elegant round wine cork wreath.
Crafting a Green World Blog: The recycling crafts articles include a wine cork craft article with many project ideas.