DIY Wine Cork Board + Chalkboard

So this idea was no doubt Pinterest-inspired. I have been collecting corks for YEARS now and finally decided that it was time to do something with my collection. I've accumulated somewhere around 300 corks so I figured it might be enough to create some sort of cute-ly designed cork board. Also - I recently moved and was needing something to hang in the kitchen. And so, my project was born! I also had the idea that it might be fun to add a chalkboard into the mix somehow. So I brainstormed, came up with an idea, crafted and conquered!

HERE IS HOW I DID IT:

First, you will need:

1. A whole GRIP of corks. (I used 230)

2. One flat, white 8" x 16" canvas

3. One tube of Loctite Clear All-Purpose Power Grab (can find for $2.99 @ Home Depot)

4. One can of Chalkboard Paint + Brush - Also bought my paint @ Home Depot, I'm a big fan. (Rustoleum Chalkboard Paint $9.99)

5. One piece of cardboard, cut to desired size of corkboard

6. Newspaper (or equivalent to safeguard floor or table under project space)

7. Colored paint (optional)

and now you are ready to begin...

DIRECTIONS:

1. Find a space to make your chalkboard and put your corks together - I have wood floors so I found it easiest just do this all on the ground. Cover workspace with newspaper.

2. Lay your piece of cardboard down on top of the newspaper.

3. Place the canvas (soon-to-be chalkboard) where you would like it to be on the cork board. I placed mine on the right hand side leaving a little room for corks to boarder it.

4. Begin placing the corks around your canvas two by two in a weave-like fashion. The glue is really strong, but be as generous as you can on the back side of the corks without letting the glue ooze out and show.

5. Once you finished gluing all of your corks, slide the canvas out from it's position (it should slide out smoothly)

***You also want to create a single row of well-stained corks glued outward at the top of your chalkboard. You will soon line the bottom of the chalkboard in the same way - but we will get to that in a bit!***

6. Now you can paint 1-2" outside of the stained cork areas so that no cardboard is showing when you put the chalkboard back in place. Something like this:

7. Now is also a good time to make your chalkboard! Simply paint the canvas with two coats of chalkboard paint. Let dry (about 20 minutes) - and you're done! Simple as that.

8. Once the paint and chalkboard are dry, put the chalkboard back in place and glue on the bottom row of outward facing stained corks, just like the top row. This will serve as a holding space for chalk.

9. Let the corks sit overnight and make sure they are COMPLETELY dry before you hang it up. Once it's ready - screw it into a wall in your kitchen, bedroom, or anywhere you like!