Lately coasters have been one of my favorite things to make. I think it's because it's nice to have a small craft you can do that won't take a ton of money (or all your time), and they are usually fast enough that you can make a few in one sitting so you have a matching set of them. They are also probably one of the two things I change out the most in our living room—pillows and coasters! I saw a really cool colorblocked coaster that was part of a set, but since they were sold out (and I really only liked one of the several options it came with), I decided to just make my own version with clay instead!
Supplies:
–oven bake clay
-clay knives or X-Acto knives
-nonstick mat and rolling pin
–clay glaze
-cork roll and glue gun (optional)
First you want to roll out all your colors of clay into strips that are about 1-1 1/2" wide and 1/4" thick. I like to use flat surfaces like acrylic rulers on each side of the clay to keep the thickness consistent. You could also use two equal stacks of playing cards.
Use your clay or X-Acto knives to cut your strips into various lengths and widths, and place them snugly side by side. Try to make the overall size a little smaller than you want your finished coaster to be. Use your fingers to gently blend the seams of your colors where the strips meet. I like to gently push one color into the next, then push back in the opposite direction, then smooth down the seam to join the surface.
Use your roller to gently roll your coaster in all directions, stretching it a bit. This will blend the strips together more. Place your coaster on parchment paper and bake in the oven according to the clay instructions.
Once your coaster is baked and has completely cooled, use a glaze to seal your clay and allow that to fully dry. To make your coaster a little more official (and to add a little more thickness), you can cut out and hot glue a square of cork to the bottom to finish it off.
These kind of remind me of something you might find in a pop art museum gift shop or a whimsical stationary store. They are cute, quirky, and best of all, easy to make! And as the shape is more "organic" than strict and precise, they are a lot more forgiving since you don't have to make a perfect square or circle. A set of these tied with a ribbon would make a really unique gift for a housewarming present as well. Is it time you switched out your coasters? Maybe you should give these a try! xo. Laura
Credits // Author and Photography: Mandi Johnson. Photos edited with Stella from the Signature Collection.
23 Comments
Looks so clumsy yet chic! Really liked this idea 🙂
xx
https://canyoupaintmeyellow.wordpress.com/
I’m going to make these with my daughter, she’ll love it!
-Molly
http://apolloandluna.com
It is fun and easy to create. Nice Laura, come bake with few new ideas.
http://www.pleasantacrylic.com/
These coasters look so fun! And fairly easy!
Paige
http://thehappyflammily.com
Wow, these are so fun! A really cheap project too!
-Priscilla
ladybuggirlcrafts.wordpress.com
I don’t think I’ve seen this on the blog yet, but it just makes me think you could totally do clay emoji coasters!
Fun idea! I loved the clay bowl tutorial (hadn’t worked with sculpey clay since I was a kid!) so I’m looking forward to trying this one too!
These are so cute!! I’ll have to give them a try. I’m always sitting at my desk next to a large mason jar filled with water that sweats like crazy! My desk is a beautiful, curated space, but my coaster is one that by dad stole from Outback Steakhouse- LOL. It’m going to have to make these in my colors! Xx
heapsofme.com
Cute! It’s like having colorful washi tapes as your coasters 🙂
Ohhh so cute! Gummergal’s diys rock every time.
tsiou, from http://www.inwhirlofinspiration.com/
Cute idea!
these are seriously adorable! I’ve loved baking clay since I was a little kid. will have to try this one. pinning to my diy pinterest board, thank you! xx. gigi. www.gigikkitchen.com
These are so cute! I love that they kind of look like sticky notes – the colours at least. very pretty!
Very cute!! 🙂
These are so cute! Such a fun project! Too darn creative, ladies! 🙂
http://sometimesgracefully.com
Do they break or chip easily? That’d be my only concern. So cute! :]
// http://www.itscarmen.com ▲
It could be a concern if you rolled them too thin, so just stick with a thickness that you are comfortable with. The cork bottom also helps to thicken it too 🙂
Laura
These are so fun! What a clever idea!
www.sweetlytattered.com
This is lovely! It’d be fabulous to make them to match a room’s color scheme, too.
Warm Regards,
Alexandra
www.littlewildheart.com
These are so cute and the possibilities seem endless!! Love this thanks for sharing 🙂 <3
These are so cute! Great idea 🙂
tonixox.blogspot.com
These are so cute!
PRIMARK Haul June 2015 + giveaway
These are so cute! -Hanna Lei