Gift Coasters

Below are a few sets of coasters that I have made and given as gifts to friends and family recently.  I know most of you have seen the tutorials on how to make these coasters but I will go through the steps with you.

Step 1.  Go to a home improvement store such as Lowe’s, Home Depot or Menard’s and buy single ceramic tiles.  Mine were $.16 each!  I buy the plain ceramic 4 x 4 inch tiles because of their smooth surface.  I have tried travertine tiles, but I don’t like the finish it leaves when they’re done because of all the ridges in the tile.  But if you like that look, they don’t turn out too bad.

Step 2. I use scrapbook paper so I picked out the patterns I wanted and cut them to the right size.  I wipe down the tiles to make sure nothing is on them and so the finish is smooth after the paper dries.

Step 3.  I put a coat of Mod Podge on the tile and apply the scrapbook paper and smooth it out.  After this step, I apply multiple coats of Mod Podge, making sure to let each layer dry before applying the next one.

Step 4.  After it’s dry, I spray a clear acrylic coat on top and let that dry so it sets.

Step 5.  Some people use cork for the bottoms of the tiles, but I use little round felt that I find at Wal-Mart for less than $2.00.

That’s literally all there is to these.  They’re quick, inexpensive and easy to make and you can customize them however you want.