Ladies, hear my call. Save. Your. Corks. It is a necessity, nay it is your duty, to collect enough wine corks to make one or all of these cute cra­fts. Your husband asks, “Are you having a second glass of wine?” and you reply, “This is for your mother’s gi­ft.” (Christmas is basically just around the corner, right?) What a good daughter-in-law! Your best friend says, “Why do you have so many wine corks? Are you a hoarder?” Au contraire, mon frère! I am gearing up for cra­ft season! I promise there is a craft­ for everyone.

For the not-so crafty, you can make these cute place card holders for your dinner table. (see cover photo) All you need is a serrated kitchen knife. That’s all. Slice a tiny piece off the bottom so that it doesn’t roll around and cut a slot in the top for the place card. Oh so cute and, “Oh my, aren’t you clever!”

For the beginner, we have this adorable bird. Supplies: serrated kitchen knife, hot glue gun, one cork, a twig, two peppercorns, a piece of cra­ foam, some gardening wire, felt, needle and thread. Sew a felt hat that fits the cork, keeping an extra piece of thread sticking out the top for hanging; poke the wire in the bottom for feet and hot glue everything else on that little peeper! Et voila! Wine cork bird city!

For the high achieving wine cra­fter, you can go full rocking horse! “Wine cork rocking horse? Oh no, you didn’t!” What will you need for such an ingenious holiday creation? Serrated kitchen knife, hot glue gun, 6 wine corks, fun yarn, cork sheets or thick cra­ foam, peppercorns or black beads, decorative ribbon, extra decorations as you wish. Isn’t he the cutest? Hang him off a bottle of wine as a gift­ and – boom – game changer! I  don’t even need to give you directions for this guy – just make some cuts on your corks, measure up and hot glue that little guy into cute oblivion! Happy crafting! And, please, start preparing now. Ahem, you know what I mean (wink, wink).

 

Story and photos by Lisa Helenius