What’s waterproof, fire resistant, floats, preserves a precious liquid, and might become your new favorite craft material? Corks! While newer methods have been introduced, about 70% of all wine bottles are still sealed with corks. Corks are formed from a unique cork oak tree that can regenerate its bark after it’s hand harvested over a dozen times in its lifetime. Harvesting cork also allows the trees to absorb 10 times more CO2 during their life cycle! It’s light, flexible yet sturdy structure also makes a great medium for crafting.
As a wine lover that feels a creative spark now and then, I’ve been saving corks in a fun array of decorative vessels for my next crafty adventure. Aside from a set of cork coasters, I had previously fashioned corks onto a small vase that adds a splash of color to my kitchen with a small floral arrangement. Searching my home for new inspiration, I spotted an old chalkboard I’d been considering replacing, begging me for a facelift! A careful estimation of measuring with corks indicated that I had enough to frame the board but not enough to create a full corkboard. I probably could have acquired additional corks from a friend or local winery, but decided a frame might be an easier test of my patience.
A reel of fond memories sharing wine with friends and families played in my mind as I carefully selected and paired up each cork, with those from my favorite bottles receiving preferential treatment. I shaved off the little pieces sticking out from the corkscrew that had pulled the cork from its original home and settled into a rinse and repeat process of glue, press, and hold. Two hours later, I finished off my project with a picturesque view of my recent trip to Tuscany as the centerpiece, surrounded by photos of people I’d gathered around wine with over the last year!
If you also enjoy working with your hands, think about that cork's potential next time you open a bottle of wine. The longer you save, the bigger the projects you can create! Now that I have something new that makes me smile every day, I am already planning my next winery visit to resume the collection of corks and fun memories again!