DIY Cork Pendant Tutorial

This DIY Cork Pendant tutorial is a very effective (and beautiful) way to upcycle the wine corks you may have collected over the years.   Each pendant is unique, and the possibilities of design are endless.   If you don’t have corks of your own, then challenge your friends to drink a bit extra wine, or ask your favorite restaurant to save some for you!  I promise, if a restaurant saves corks for ONE day, you will have a supply to last through AT LEAST  a year of crafting.

I love upcycling objects that might otherwise be tossed into the garbage.  When I was 12, I created some totally rad (it WAS the Eighties) earrings out of fishing lures and pearls, and so began my obsession for upcycling, recycling, repurposing….and hoarding useless objects.  Believe me – just when you decide to throw something away, you will find the PERFECT project for it.  At least, that’s what I tell myself when I look at the shelves, drawers, and boxes of “stuff” in my craft room.  This DIY Cork Pendant tutorial has allowed me to make quite dent in the corks I’ve collected!

Let’s Do This!

Supplies:

• Corks (I know….does this even need to be mentioned?)
• Craft glue
• E6000 (optional, but strongly suggested)
• Images – small enough to glue on the corks
• Glaze – I’ve used a lot of different brands, but my favorite is DecoArt Gloss Glaze.  If you prefer a matte finish, there are plenty of similar glazes that aren’t as shiny.

Instructions:

I’ll offer few tips on each step since I’ve made quite a few of these pendants (and made some mistakes along the way!)  I like to use 1/2 corks for smaller pendants, so if a full cork seems like just TOO MUCH pendant, cut it down.  It’s your project, rockstar.

• Glue the images you’ve selected to the corks.  You don’t have to cover the whole piece – it’s always interesting to see some of the cork in your design, if you’d like.  I’ve found unique images on Etsy.  With today’s technology, the possibilities for pictures are endless.  Use your printer to reduce/enlarge as needed.

• Once the glue is dry, put a sealer (glaze) on the cork to finish the surface.  Here, again, use your creative preference for matte, gloss, crackle….whatever rocks your pendant world.  I’ve used them all, and they all look great. Sometimes it depends on your images – vintage pics look great with a matte or crackle finish because it looks aged.  But if you are a gloss girl – then don’t go changin’.
• Let the glaze dry.  I know.  The waiting is the hardest part.  Someone should write a song with that title.
• Once the cork can be handled without disturbing the glaze, you can get out your hardware, and start attaching the washers, hooks, and screws to the top and bottom of the cork.  I always like to have various sizes on hand because you would NOT believe the difference in cork diameter.  I’m sure there is a scientific (and grape varietal) reason for the wide range in sizes, but all it means to me is that I need a large collection of washers.  Not a bad thing for a serial crafter.

• Stack the washers on the cork top – I usually go 2 or 3.  JUST so they don’t slide around, I adhere them to the cork AND to each other with a few drops of E6000.  You can do the same stacking process on the bottom of the cork – just be sure that the washers do not shift / slide while you’re working with the opposite end.  I like to let the E6000 “set” for an hour or so, but if you’re an immediate-gratification type of crafter, then forge ahead……and keep managing the shifting stack of washers.

You’re almost done.  Hang in there.

• On the top, screw a hook (as pictured) into the cork, through the washer opening.  Surprisingly enough, some corks are a little tough to get through so make sure you are prepared for a workout when you start turning the hook.  Maybe yours will be easy.  I wish you the best, my friend.

• To finish the bottom, you can either use a flat screw OR another hook if you want to add beads / charms.  You can see both styles in the pictures.  Either way…..it looks great.  If you’d like, you can also add crystals, rivets, or other embellishments to your pendant.  Make it yours.  Add your style.  Rock your cork, rockstar.

Was this tutorial helpful?  I’d love to hear your comments, feedback, and suggestions below.  Please pin this tutorial to your Pinterest board so you can easily find it later!  Thanks for stopping by our Inspired Mess!

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