Trivets are the accessories we use to protect our countertops and furniture from the heat of hot cookware and serving dishes.
Cork is an ideal material for the purpose, which is why making a trivet by recycling corks from wine bottles is such a clever and inexpensive solution.
What you will need
• 31 wine corks (all the same height),
• Ribbon in the colour of your choice, half the height of the corks in width,
• A glue gun,
• Sandpaper,
• Scissors and a knife, plus a cutting board.
How to make it
1. Using the knife, cut the corks in half to make two cork cylinders of equal height.
2. Smooth the flat surfaces and bring all the pieces to the same height by rubbing the corks with sandpaper.
3. Arrange the cork pieces in the shape you want.
5. Starting with the corks in the centre, glue the pieces together with the glue gun. Gradually glue the remaining corks one by one onto the “core” until the trivet has the shape you want.
6. When the base is finished, start gluing the ribbon around the outer corks along the perimeter of the piece. Use a little extra glue where the corks join one another. Let the glue cool slightly before moving on to the next section, so that you can “stretch” the ribbon taut over each cork.
7. When you reach the end, cut the ribbon and press its end into the join between 2 of the corks to hide it. Clean off any excess glue that may have dripped, and you’re done!
Tip! You can also use the same idea to make placemats or coasters!
Text: Natasa Lianopoulou
