Chrysalys Craft Projects: Coaster

Round Coaster

These are simple to make and effective. There are lots of ideas for designs here, and you can also adapt these to your own ideas, and make your own designs.

Materials
Pringle or similar container
Thin card (cereal packet is fine) 10 cm x 10 cm
PVA Glue
Picture/design of your choice (see Design Ideas)
Polyurethane varnish or laquer
A piece of felt or self adhesive baize 10 cm x 10 cm
Epoxy resin if using felt

Equipment
A pair of scissors
A cheap disposable paintbrush
A pair of compasses

Method

Cut the metal base off the container, discard the tube (not needed for coasters though may be useful for other projects). Remove as much of the attached cardboard as possible using scissors or sandpaper.
Take the base and measure the diameter inside the protruding rim, and with the compasses draw a circle of the same size onto the thin card. Cut out the card circle.
Cut your picture/design to the same size.
Spread the metal disc from the Pringle pack, rim side uppermost, with PVA glue and stick the cardboard disc to this, printed side downwards if taken from a cereal packet. Repeat the glue and stick your picture/design on next, picture side up.
On the reverse of the metal disc (flat side) stick the square of baize. If you are using felt, spread the disc with the epoxy resin and attach the felt. Make sure the felt/baize is properly attached and the glue is dry, then trim off the excess around the disc with scissors.
Varnish your picture and leave to dry - use several coats for a really tough finish.