UPDATE January 2010 – I just sold these cork board art boards for $700. I am still in awe that someone paid that much for something I made…Hurrah!!!
After a local artist removed her paintings (they didn’t sell), I was in need of some unique artwork for my restaurants bare walls, on an extreme budget. I had hundreds of corks from all the wine we sell and set out to find an idea for some cool, modern & cheap cork projects. I came across several creative cork sites: Cork Dork, Garbriel Wiese Gallery, & Terramia. They all had great ideas, but I settled on a large, decorative cork board art. I used synthetic as well as natural corks, though I probably would axe the synthetic for any future projects. If I learned one thing from this craft it was that wood glue is my friend. I didn’t have much luck with a glue gun, the corks kept popping off.
Wine Cork Wall Art
I have completed two of the cork board art, each took about 40 hours and 300 corks. The total cost was $30 (of course excluding my very valuable labor). They are hanging in my restaurant right now and tons of people comment on them. I think it’s time to sell for the sake of crossing off another experience on my bucket list!!
Though that will leave me with bare walls once again. Pricing this unique art has been difficult; too low and you don’t seem like a legit artist (which evidently I am)…too high and people think you’re ripping them off (which evidently I am). I think I have settled on a price of $349 each, now I just have to get up the nerve to put up the price tags!
Have you ever made cork board art?
TIPS ON MAKING THIS CORK BOARD
- Cut corks in half at different lengths.
- Attach the corks to a wood board
- Just like a puzzle, start with the edges and work your way in.
- Shy away from using synthetic corks, they do not stick as well.
- Use wood glue if you are gluing it to a board. I have found that a glue gun is not adhesive enough.
- Fill in the holes with a variety of pieces of cork that are cut lengthwise.
RESOURCES
Wine Cork History, blog on the history of corks
Cork Coaster Kit, make your own wine cork coasters
FACTOID
The World’s leading cork distributor is Portugal.
The wine corks look terrific! What did you use to cut the corks?
Thank you.
I used a very sharp bread knife, but I just got a band saw which I am going to be trying for my next project. Good Luck!
How big are the wood boards you used for yours?
The were 4′ x 1.75′ plywood, I bought them at the local hardwood store.
Thanks so much for the tips…especiially the glueing part. I've made a couple of wreaths but am looking for new projects. Lori
I have not made a cork wreath…yet!
Great art idea! Another awesome and unique art form to try would be Braintone Art Events, where you can create art pieces with your brainwaves!
Sounds like fun!