Making a Wreath From Wine Corks

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Every time that I open a bottle of wine with a real cork – I place the cork in a drawer – saving to make something.  I finally thought that I had enough corks to make a wine cork-cork board – so to the web I went to look for directions and what other materials I would need.  I had a good idea of how to make it, but thought I could get some pointers from others.  As I was searching I came across a wine cork wreath and thought – wow, that is cool and what a great present that would make for my mom and step-dad, they have a vineyard, so appropriate, I thought.

Off to the craft store to get the wreath center and some more glue sticks and to the attic to search for my glue gun.  Laying everything out, I started the project.  My first clue on the condition of my glue gun, which I have had for more than 20 years, should have been how long it took to heat the glue, but I figured it was old, so I gave it some leeway for that.  I started gluing the corks onto the wreath, this should have been my second clue – since every third cork was falling off – was the glue not hot enough!  I don’t like to throw things out and will work with it, even if it takes a little longer than a new one.  After about an hour and only getting one row done I thought maybe this was not such a good project and my finger was killing me from pushing the lever on the glue gun – my frustration was mounting.  I left all the items out on the table and over the course of a week, looking at it several times a day – I broke and decided I needed to invest in a new glue gun.  Off to the craft store again and I only had to pay $7.95 for a new glue gun.  OMG – why did I not do this sooner, what a difference – I finished the wreath in less than a day – no I did not work on it continuously.  This was a really cool project to do.

Making a Wine Cork Wreath

Items Needed

Straw wreath (I used an 18″ one, because they were sold out of the smaller sizes)
300 – 400 corks (no I do not drink that much!  The call went out to friends for more)
Glue gun
Glue Sticks (I have mini glue gun and used 30 sticks)
Twine for the hanger
Knife
Cutting board

1. Place a towel or sheet on your work area, to collect the straw and any glue drippings.

2. Unwrap your straw wreath, set up you glue gun and glue sticks and place your corks in a box or bag that you can easily reach into.

3. Cut some twine and tie around the wreath – this will be the hanger.

4. Start gluing the corks around the wreath.  This will take some time and you will have places that a full cork does not fit.  When you get to a place like that measure what size you need and then cut the cork to fit.

5.  Once the base layer is complete – you can stop there…..

6. Or you can layer on top, placing the corks in all different directions.

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