DIY Gift: How to Make Coasters with Tiles

Coasters are easy to make and they cost very little to create, but they do take time. Usually you make coasters in sets of four. I bought six tiles, planning on ruining at least two. I’m a positive thinker that way. Actually, I ruined five and my son ruined the one perfect one (Note to self: don’t try doing a craft project, while watching a parenting webinar, cooking dinner, entertaining a 4 year old, and talking on the phone).  But you know what? If they were perfect they would look like they were created by a machine, mine are decidedly handmade.  So if you feel like one layer isn’t quite right, just let it dry and then add another layer of Mod Podge. Mod Podge can hide a multitude of mistakes.

You can cut the paper so it just reaches the edges, so that it folds over the edges, or so that it stops short of the edges and is “framed” by the outer edges of the tile. I chose to go with the last option and cut my paper so that 1/4 inch of tile would show all around the paper.

I did the brush strokes of the mod podge in the same direction as the striped paper. Each coat of mod podge needs to dry for 15 – 20 minutes before you can apply another coat.

I store the foam brush in a plastic bag between layers of mod podge so it doesn’t dry out.

You can cover the bottom entirely with felt or just cut squares for the corners.

Tips for Saving Money on this Project:

If you do not have mod podge or sealant already, then buy them with your 40% coupon at Michaels.

You can make your own mod podge.

Pool resources with a friend.

How to Make Coasters with Tiles

Items Needed:

4 – 4″ tiles ( .15 – .19 cents each)

1 – 2 pieces scrap book paper ( ~.25 cents each)

Mod Podge (~ $5.00  per jar, but you only use less than .50 cents worth for this project)

sponge brush (.50 cents, but it is reusable)

sealant ( ~ $5.00 per can, but you will use less than .25 cents worth for this project)

2 rectangles of felt (.15 cents each)

glue

Directions:

Clean tiles with glass cleaner.

Cut paper for tiles according to your preference (wrap, even with edges, stop short of edges).

Apply mod podge to tile in a thin layer with foam brush.

Place paper on tile. Spread from center of paper to the edges, smoothing paper and eliminating air bubbles. Let dry for 15 – 20 minutes.

Apply mod podge to paper in a thin layer with foam brush. Let dry for 15 – 20 minutes. Repeat 3 more times.

Let sit overnight. Apply felt to the bottom of tile. Then spray with sealant. Let dry for 2 hours and spray with sealant again. Let dry for one day before using with cold drinks. Don’t use it with hot drinks for 30 days.

Mod Podge takes a full 30 days to cure. The coasters may be used with cold drinks after the sealant has dried, but you should wait for a full 30 days before you use these coasters with a hot drink. So include a note saying when these are safe to use with hot drinks if you give them for Christmas.

Related Posts:

Homemade Candy Round Up

How to Make Sugar Bowl Candles

How to Make Note Cards from Kids Art Work

This post is part of The Week of Handmade Gifts and Frugal Friday.