Ceramic Tile Coasters Project + New Wooden Coaster Project
Feb 25, 2021 5:24:20 GMT
tauster and erho like this
Post by sgtslag on Feb 25, 2021 5:24:20 GMT
Back in 2017, I learned how to make drink coasters, using 4-inch square, white, ceramic bathroom tiles, from YouTube. So I got me some artwork, and I made a bunch up. These are my favorite ones: Premium AD&D rulebook covers Image1, and Image2.
I decided to make a second set, recently, as a gift for a friend: Image3. I discovered this set of six round wooden coasters, undecorated, raw wood, for $5.99, at Hobby Lobby. I bought a set, and I began working on them, today.
I recently bought a small can of Minwax Polyshades Antique Walnut urethane stain. I decided to use this, to stain, and seal, the raw wood. I applied it using a sponge brush applicator. Since I could not get it to apply, without pools of excess, I took a paper towel, and I sponged off the excess. I did this around the edges, as well, to get a more consistent look. They turned out OK, but most of the wood will not be seen, anyway, for the coasters. The holder was given similar treatment. I will likely apply a gloss clear coat to the holder, to finish it, so that it appears to match the glossy finish on the coasters.
After the Minwax cured, I used matte Mod Podge to apply the artwork (color laser printouts). At this point, I need to apply at least one more coat of Mod Podge matte, to fully secure, and seal the printouts, to the wood. After that, I will likely set them on top of a plastic pill bottle, inside of a small bowl-shaped container: I will pour full-strength Pledge Floor Gloss over the top of the artwork, and let it run off, and dry. I will repeat this 2-3 times, to give it an extremely durable, high gloss, seal coating.
I experimented with different finishes, back in 2017. I tried the outdoor version of Mod Podge, but it just did not seem to seal as well as the Pledge Floor Gloss, and it took a very long time (4 weeks!) to fully cure... The Pledge took a day. I applied two thick coats of Pledge to one of the ceramic tiles, and that is the glossiest of them all; it is also the most durable for use with hot coffee cups! I've been using that one, in particular, since I made it, without any issues.
After the Pledge dries, I will lightly sand the bottoms, to make them smooth again. Then I will apply some craft foam (see Image2, above) to dress up the back side. I cannot put anything too thick on the backs, as they do not have a lot of extra space within their box. The foam looks decent, it is thin, won't scratch anything, and it is durable. I will attach the foam material to the wood, using E6000 Glue, as I did with the porcelain tiles, back in 2017.
I took other artwork which I pulled from the Internet, for additional ceramic tile coasters. I pulled some monsters from the 2e Monstrous Manual, but I really don't like them nearly as much as I like the Premium AD&D book cover artwork.
I will update this thread as my project proceeds. I anticipate finishing these coasters within the next week. Just a fun craft project, which I hope will inspire others. Cheers!
PS:
That wooden dowel, in the upper right corner of Image3, is the handle from the sponge brush which was used to apply the urethane-stain. I broke off the head, stained it, and now I will use it for making columns, either wooden, or I will apply a stone printout, on label paper, to make it appear to be a stone column... Dungeon up-cycling! Double-Cheers!
I decided to make a second set, recently, as a gift for a friend: Image3. I discovered this set of six round wooden coasters, undecorated, raw wood, for $5.99, at Hobby Lobby. I bought a set, and I began working on them, today.
I recently bought a small can of Minwax Polyshades Antique Walnut urethane stain. I decided to use this, to stain, and seal, the raw wood. I applied it using a sponge brush applicator. Since I could not get it to apply, without pools of excess, I took a paper towel, and I sponged off the excess. I did this around the edges, as well, to get a more consistent look. They turned out OK, but most of the wood will not be seen, anyway, for the coasters. The holder was given similar treatment. I will likely apply a gloss clear coat to the holder, to finish it, so that it appears to match the glossy finish on the coasters.
After the Minwax cured, I used matte Mod Podge to apply the artwork (color laser printouts). At this point, I need to apply at least one more coat of Mod Podge matte, to fully secure, and seal the printouts, to the wood. After that, I will likely set them on top of a plastic pill bottle, inside of a small bowl-shaped container: I will pour full-strength Pledge Floor Gloss over the top of the artwork, and let it run off, and dry. I will repeat this 2-3 times, to give it an extremely durable, high gloss, seal coating.
I experimented with different finishes, back in 2017. I tried the outdoor version of Mod Podge, but it just did not seem to seal as well as the Pledge Floor Gloss, and it took a very long time (4 weeks!) to fully cure... The Pledge took a day. I applied two thick coats of Pledge to one of the ceramic tiles, and that is the glossiest of them all; it is also the most durable for use with hot coffee cups! I've been using that one, in particular, since I made it, without any issues.
After the Pledge dries, I will lightly sand the bottoms, to make them smooth again. Then I will apply some craft foam (see Image2, above) to dress up the back side. I cannot put anything too thick on the backs, as they do not have a lot of extra space within their box. The foam looks decent, it is thin, won't scratch anything, and it is durable. I will attach the foam material to the wood, using E6000 Glue, as I did with the porcelain tiles, back in 2017.
I took other artwork which I pulled from the Internet, for additional ceramic tile coasters. I pulled some monsters from the 2e Monstrous Manual, but I really don't like them nearly as much as I like the Premium AD&D book cover artwork.
I will update this thread as my project proceeds. I anticipate finishing these coasters within the next week. Just a fun craft project, which I hope will inspire others. Cheers!
PS:
That wooden dowel, in the upper right corner of Image3, is the handle from the sponge brush which was used to apply the urethane-stain. I broke off the head, stained it, and now I will use it for making columns, either wooden, or I will apply a stone printout, on label paper, to make it appear to be a stone column... Dungeon up-cycling! Double-Cheers!