How to Decorate Cork Trivets
Living green is a very common trend for those who value the environment. People who live green are conscious about their energy expenditures and recycling habits. One term for those that like to live green is “upcycling” which involves taking a piece of garbage and giving it a new purpose — for example, turning old wine corks into a trivet. If you’ve made or bought a wine cork trivet, add some color to the corks using spar varnish. Spar varnish comes in many colors, is heat and water-resistant and is transparent so you can still read the cork’s original labels.
Instructions
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Remove any dirt or residue from the cork trivet using a damp cloth. Before you apply any varnish onto the corks, they should be clean so that you get a nice, even finish.
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Apply a clear primer onto the surface of the trivet using your paintbrush. Since cork is a very porous material, applying a primer will make sure the varnish goes on smoothly and evenly. Wait until the primer has dried before applying your varnish.
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Open the can of spar varnish and dip your brush into the varnish. Because a cork trivet is relatively small, you won’t need a lot of varnish to complete this project. Carefully paint the varnish onto the surface of the trivet.
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Leave the cork trivet to dry. Once the trivet is dry, apply a second coat as desired. The more coats you apply, the darker your trivet will be.
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Wait until the trivet has dried completely before applying your top coat. Apply the clear top coat using a clean brush, just as you applied the varnish. Once the trivet has dried completely, it is ready to be used.
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Tips & Warnings
Spar varnish comes in many colors. Use one color to decorate your cork trivet or paint each cork a different color for a more artistic effect.
References
- Photo Credit Photos.com/Photos.com/Getty Images
