Where does cork come from??

Cork is Cork Tree bark.  

The cork tree is a member of the oak family (Quercus suber). 

The bark is removed every 9 years by hand.  No tree felling required. 

 100% natural, renewable, recyclable and biodegradable. 

If you want to learn more on Cork check out this site: http://corkforest.org/index.php

Here's an interesting bit  of info from their site:

Screw caps are not made from a sustainable product; they are not currently being recycled in the US and are not biodegradable. There is evidence to show that there may be some health concerns from the plastic seal in the screw cap, when closing wine. In comparison to a natural cork, 24 times more greenhouse gasses are released and over and 10 times more energy is used when making one screw cap.  Plastic closures are made from petro-chemicals, are not biodegradable and are rarely recycled. They are not sourced from a sustainable product and produce 10 times more greenhouse gasses than natural cork to produce.

Consider this the next time you buy a bottle of wine!

Cork Crafting!!

I'm always exploring new ways to use wine corks.  Some ideas:

- Garland
- door mat (synthetic)

- ornament

- magnet
- place card holder
- coaster
- stamping
- game pieces
- shredded for mulching
                                           - wreath

- message board

- trivet
- cabinet hardware
- wine charms
- beads for bracelets or necklace

I welcome any other suggestions. Please post your ideas!  I would love to see the list grow!  Thanks for stopping by!

  

Weekend Crafting

What a beautiful weekend!  The kids and I set up shop on the deck and went to crafting. 

Step One:  Ttile the frame using mosaicing tiles and tile adhesive. 

Step 2: Grout. Wipe clean with a wet rag.  

Step 3:  Fill your frame with corks.  I use a glue gun to adhere them.

Fittting the corks into the frame is the funnest part.  It's like putting together a jigsaw puzzle.   If you need to cut one in half to make it fit.  Once it's complete whatever pattern you choose it always looks pretty.  There's something about the pretty glass tile that really completes this project. 

Day 2: Don't forget to seal the grout!

Keep it out of the landfill...

They may be small but it's one less thing being thrown in the trash.  I turn these caps into pin cushions.  If you can think of another use please let me know.  I'm always looking for new ways to reuse things.

Day 1 Blog Posting For the Love of My Etsy Shop...

I make wine cork trivets, bottle cap pin cushions, aprons and bookmarks to name a few things.  You will find some random repurposed and mosaiced items mixed in.  I'm constantly crafting.  I have a hard time holding back when an idea comes to me.  My husband and I have a saying, "There's nothing Momma can't do!"