design finch

For Earth Day this year, Anthropologie created an entire theme around recycled wine corks and even hosted a “Crafting with Cork” day in many of their stores. After receiving the invite, I immediately called to reserve my spot at the event and was asked how many children I would be bringing with me. “Ummm…..ZERO?!”

Then I slightly panicked at the thought of sitting at a child-size table surrounded by snotty-nosed preschoolers making crafts! But, fortunately, that wasn’t the case. At the big kids table, we learned to make funky jewelry out of recycled wine corks. I made a broach and a hair clip while Amanda made some fabulous shoe accessories. A good time was had by all (as captured on Kara’s blog)!

I’ve been collecting wine corks in a big vase for several years now and, after the Anthro event, felt inspired to do something creative with them. After searching for ideas on the interweb, I decided to make another bulletin board by slicing up the corks into circles.

I think my DIY bulletin board turned out pretty cute…especially considering the entire project only cost 64 cents since I already had most of the materials on hand. The only thing I bought was a bottle of kiwi green paint for the background color that peeks through between the corks. These are the supplies I used for this project:

• Salvaged 16″ x 20″ frame
• 1/4″ plywood, cut to fit frame
• Spray paint for the frame
• Acrylic paint for the plywood
• Approx. 60 wine corks, cut into circles
• X-acto knife
• Glue gun

Caution: cork crafting could easily become an addicting new hobby. Just look at all the fun project ideas I discovered!

clockwise from top: Wine Cork Ball, Wine Cork Tile, Wall of Wine Corks,
Wine Cork Bath Mat, Wine Cork Mosaic Flooring, Wine Cork Room Divider

clockwise from top: Succulent Wine Cork Magnet, Wine Cork Plant Marker,
Wine Cork Wreath, Wine Cork Vase Filler, Wine Cork Trees

clockwise from top: Wine Cork Trivet, Wine Cork Coasters,
Wine Cork Trivet and Coaster Set, Wine Cork Place Card Holders

clockwise from top: Wine Cork Stamps, “I Love Wine” Bulletin Board,
Wine Cork Monogram, Valentine’s Wine Cork Stamps, Cork Wine Glass Charms

You can craft with a clean conscience knowing that cork is a 100% natural, renewable, recyclable and biodegradable material that is obtained through an environmentally friendly harvesting process.

Note to self: buy more wine!