DIY Wine Cork Board
- GR
- Aug 10
- 4 min read
aka The Perfect Project for That Wine Cork Collection You Swore Had a Purpose
Let’s start with a confession: I’ve been collecting wine corks for… a while. Eight-plus years, to be exact. I roped my friends into saving theirs too—because one day I was definitely going to do something creative and Pinterest-worthy with them.
Spoiler alert: That day came.
As a proud pen-and-paper girly (if midlifers are even allowed to say that), I’m a sucker for pretty notepads, fancy pens, and anything that makes my desk feel like a tiny corner of sanity. So naturally, with a touch of ADHD-ish tendencies and my love of notes, lists, and post-its, the idea of a cork board to tack up my many, many notes, reminders, and random thoughts sounded like both a necessity and the perfect excuse to finally dip into the cork stash.
But why buy a board when I could DIY?
🛠️ Supplies I Used
Wine corks (a lot of them—thank you, past self and wine-drinking friends)
Old silver picture frame (slightly dented, slightly forgotten)
Craft tape (mine was from Hobby Lobby)
Glue gun + glue sticks
Mod Podge (glue + sealer in one)
A willingness to go with the flow
🧃 Step 1: Lay Out the Plan (Kinda)
Like any self-respecting DIYer, I turned to Pinterest first. That rabbit hole led me to all kinds of ambitious cork art. People were boiling their corks (for flexibility and odor removal), perfectly slicing angles, gluing to custom backings, and measuring with levels like they were hanging the Mona Lisa.
Me? I just wanted to glue some corks in a cute-ish pattern, maybe seal it with something shiny, and hang it up in my office.
🔍 Step 2: Find Your Pattern
After a dry run laying out the corks, I realized something: wine corks are not all created equal. Some are short, some are fat, some are straight-up crumbly. I sorted mine by size and texture—helpful, but not essential—and committed to a design that minimized cutting. No boiling. No angled edges. Just a few clean half cuts if absolutely necessary. (Call it lazy or call it knowing thyself—I choose the latter.)
I laid them out. I messed it up. I laid them out again. I slept on it. I eventually reminded myself: This is your cork board. It can be quirky.
🖼️ Cover the Frame
I used craft tape I picked up from Hobby Lobby instead of paint—it felt quicker, cleaner, and less prep time overall. But fair warning: craft tape is like colored duct tape on a sugar high. That stuff sticks, and once it’s down, it's down. Do your best to measure well, lay it once, and avoid repositioning. (Your fingertips will thank you.)
If you don’t have a frame lying around like I did, you still have options. Try cutting the side off a sturdy cardboard box as your base and letting it be frameless chic. You could also find affordable frames at Dollar Tree, Goodwill, or even a garage sale—whatever size suits your cork stash and your space.
🔌 Step 3: Glue the Suckers Down
I plugged in the glue gun, took a deep breath, and committed. One cork at a time, I stuck them to the cardboard backing of the frame (not the glass or plastic—Pinterest was very clear on that one). A few went rogue or didn’t quite fit like they had during the dry run, but that’s DIY for you. Glue. Adjust. Shrug. Repeat.
✨ Seal the Deal
I used Mod Podge (purchased from Walmart), and let me just say—it doesn’t take much. One small bottle goes a long way. I later saw that Dollar Tree carries mini versions of it too. Whatever brand you grab, just check that it says “dries clear” and that the finish matches your vibe (matte vs. glossy). I went with glossy and had no regrets.
At first, I panicked. It looked like elementary school glue all over my corks. But sure enough, it dried beautifully and gave it just enough finished feel without being overly shiny.
☕ Feeling Ambitious: A Matching Cork Cup Holder?
In a burst of “Why not?” energy, I glued together six corks in a quick pattern and made a single cup holder. It was cute, it was functional… and then I ran out of steam. I meant to make three or four more, but real life and snack cravings took over. So I packed everything up and called it good—for now.
🎯 Final Thoughts
Besides now having a cute, functional corkboard that holds my notes and lists?
The real win was the process: screen-free, stress-free, slow-moving creativity. Just me, my glue gun, and something to focus on besides my to-do list or my phone. In full disclosure I did have a show playing in the background, but it was like having a good friend just hanging with me in a stress free zone.
This project reminded me of a few key things:
Pinterest is a suggestion, not a mandate.
The beauty is in the imperfections (especially when your coffee mug or posted notes cover them).
Creative time can be quiet, simple, and surprisingly therapeutic.
Whether you’re drowning in corks or just looking for a quick win, this cork board project is midlife-approved. No boiling required.
Got a bag of wine corks too? Let me know if you give this a try—or tag me if you post your own twist. I’d love to see how it turns out!
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