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do it yourself coasters

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You’d think I’m gearing up to host a dinner party around here.

I’m coming up with 5 inexpensive ideas to keep in mind when tablescaping.

And reminding you of the name card holders I made last year.

And even making new ones for this year.

And now, I’m making do it yourself coasters.

do it yourself coasters

But I’m not. Gearing up to host a dinner party, that is.

I actually thought to make sisal chargers when I was putting together the tablescape. You know I love a simple, rustic element.

But let’s get real here.  I don’t need no stinkin’ chargers!

But we definitely enjoy a drink or two, so sisal coasters equals brilliant idea for us!!

All you need: sisal, hot glue and scissors

How to: put a dab of hot glue on the end of the sisal and start rolling, hot glue every so often and keep rolling.

I’m not sure exactly what this next picture illustrates, but I took it so it’s only fair that you have to see it. 😉

do it yourself coasters

Cut the end off at an angle and then trim the sisal stringy thingys.

do it yourself coasters

And if you’re me, you will burn your fingers. Especially at that beginning step where you’re getting your coaster started around that first dab of hot glue. Ouch!

But, I did end up using a unsharpened pencil to scrape off any glue that squeezed its way up to the top (or bottom) of the coaster. I didn’t figure this out until I’d burned my fingertip trying to scrape off the hot glue with my fingernail about 56 times, though.

Please learn from my tendency toward idiocy.

I need hot glue finger tip protectors … and leg protectors … and feet protectors. I just might have dropped the hot glue gun on my foot twice once. 😉

do it yourself coasters

The whole roll of sisal was about $5 and I used about half to make 4 coasters.

Wrapped in a beautiful ribbon these would make a great, inexpensive gift.  Maybe for a neighbor, or a housewarming gift with a bottle of wine, or for a co-worker.
do it yourself coasters

What do you think? Are you a homemade gift giver? Coaster user? Sisal lover?

Comments

    • They are really so easy, and we love them. It’s just that beginning part that gets kind of dicey as you’re trying to get the roll started before the sisal unravels and not burn off your fingertips at the same time. 🙂

  4. Karah, these coasters are so awesome! So easy and so beachy chic! LOVE THEM

  5. Awesome – adding another item to the DIY Christmas Gift List!

  6. I also get myself with the hot glue, every stinkin time! Sometimes I think it’s better that way, then I can get those pretty fingertip calluses:) Pinning these, I love the idea of giving them as gifts!

  7. What do you think? Are you a homemade gift giver? Coaster user? Sisal lover?

    1. Love ‘me! 2. Sometimes if it doesn’t look too homemade. 3. Yes! 4. Really LOVE sisal!

  11. Love the rustic look! I can relate with the burned fingers. This is definitely going on my to-do craft list.

  12. I love to give homemade gifts. Maybe too much. Only use stone coasters because any others I have tried just hold water on them and then drip off the glass when I pick it up to drink from it. I tried making some from wine corks like I had seen on a few blogs. Project FAIL. I love sisal but have never bought any for a project. Might be addicting… I’ve got scars on my legs from making projects with glue guns while sitting at my coffee table.

    • I’m glad I’m not the only one with hot glue scars. And the sisal is definitely an absorbing coaster.

  13. Love them! This is probably a stupid question lol but what is sisal? Where can I get it?

  17. I like your sisal coasters! And I looove the way the red wine looks sitting on them! 😉 Take care of your poor little pinkies and toes. Yikes, that hot glue burns! Oh, you already knew that, right? 🙂

  19. Great idea! love the look of these, especially for a rustic fall themed evening

  20. We always make Christmas presents for each other every year! This is such a fun idea! I love anything made from rope! I am thinking about making a wreath from rope 🙂

    blessings,
    karianne

  21. Hey Karah, Do you remember my crocheted coasters? I like your sisal ones, too, maybe better than my really cheap (as in discontinued yarn cheap). But the glue gun doesn’t travel well, just can’t see me doing that in a waiting room, ya know?

    • I’m going to be taking crochet classes in January … I have to add coasters to my project list. I wonder if you could stitch the sisal together every few inches???

  24. Such a fun and easy idea … especially with Christmas around the corner 🙂
    Hugs,
    Bj

  26. Awesome! I might actually get around to using coasters if I had these!

  28. Holy Macaroni! I think I need to add a glass of wine to all my pictures from now on 🙂

    These are great Karah, I know a few people that would love them!

  30. Lovely…I love this, have pinned it and will be making these for a perfect gift with a bottle of wine! Love that idea!
    Debbie 🙂

  32. Oh my mercy, are you participating in the 31 Days series at The Nester’s site??? Your blog is beeeeeeeautiful. You should be, if you’re not already!!

  36. Great idea Karah!…I would just like to suggest to readers that you add a circle of felt on the bottom because your recipient may have a table that scratches like mine!

    • Oooooh, the idea of felt could be a fun addition. I’m happy to say we’ve been using the coasters on 3 different wooden surfaces for over a month now … not a scratch in sight. But we’ve got to protect those scratch prone surfaces. 🙂

    • Thank you so much. I have to agree, red wine is the perfect accompaniment to any coaster. 🙂

  40. What a cool idea, Karah–you can never have too many coasters, and these would make a fantastic gift! Hope all is going well with you–the rains have returned to the Pacific Northwest, so I am getting busy with indoor projects and letting the garden do its own thing.

    • I think the first few days of crisp weather would be nice … but the deep cold that is headed your way is not my cup of tea. Bundle up. 🙂

  42. Awesome…I made some of these for the Canvas Corp booth this summer…i used twine, I think sisal looks a little nicer…:)

  43. Karah,
    Love this idea – just pinned it.
    ~ Dana

  50. This would be such a great hostess gift! A bottle of vino and a set of these coasters! Great if you are lucky to be invited to Thanksgiving Dinner next month!

  51. its quick simple and yet it makes a big impact thanks for sharing

  53. Karah, Thank you for joining Homa Style’s Simple Holiday Gift Idea Link Party. It’s hard to come up with new ideas for gifts and you helped with your simple coasters. Thanks! Mark you calendar for the No Red Holiday Decor Link Party on Nov. 28. Plus the 12 Days of Christmas link party December 1st ~ 12th. http://homastyle.com/

  58. Looks great and all much fun for the kids. Where did you get sista from.

    • It is available at Home Depot and Lowe’s I know, I just saw some in our local K-mart, too. Would be a fun teacher’s gift, just watch those fingers on the hot glue. 🙂

  59. Just a hint, but I always lick (or have some water in a cup ) so my finger is wet. Then your finger doesn’t burn when you press the glue 🙂

    • Such a great tip, nanci. I’m totally going to do that next time. And glad you’re going to make them, ours get daily use and still look great!

      • Absolutely!! I’m going to add a piece of felt on bottom also! I’m just so glad you posted this!! I already have the large roll of sisal *happy dance*. and most coasters are not “absorbant”. I feel these will not only fit perfect with the “decor” but also be more useful than other coasters!!! so excited!!

  60. And, btw, I cannot wait to make these for our nautical living room! Thanks!

  61. Love these! I’ve been looking for a good idea for coasters…all the ones at Bed Bath and Beyond seem so lame and uncustomized. That’s what I get for surfing Pinterest everyday.

    p.s I’m new to your blog but love it! I was hooked at the mention of Key West. 🙂

    • Yay! So happy to have you Brittany. In between all of the DIY we do our fair share of enjoying the local culture, that’s for sure. 🙂

  62. Hi Karah: I made your coasters and I love them. But I have added one little thing. I cut a shelf liner, that you use for travel trailers and put them on the back of the coaster. Now they don’t slide across the end tables. Thank you for your idea.

  63. Karah,
    I love the coasters! You seem to find the best materials! Have you heard of a “Hobby Holster” for your glue gun? They sell them in all kinds of sizes & colors, it will help you to prevent burning yourself & you can glue directly on the silicone flap, peel it when dry, and Boom! Work of art! Check it out! Hope this helps!

Trackbacks

  1. […] you want a better tutorial, I found one here on The Space Between.  Although she’s way more gutsy than I am and doesn’t use any […]

  3. […] Instructions on how to use sisal rope and hot glue to make rustic and nautical coasters. A great gif… […]

  5. […] And proceeded to make sisal coasters. […]

  8. […] sisal rope coasters (via thespacebetweenblog) […]

  9. […]  These can be made from scraps and look great – and make good presents too! Instructions are here. From […]