10.23.2011

DIY Project: Personalized Photo Tile Coasters

Photo Tile Coasters {Using Resin}
These photo coasters make a GREAT gift for the hubby to be, the parentals, wedding party, etc! And not only are they cheap and easy to make, emphasis on the word CHEAP...it's something the receipient will likely cherish and USE for many years to come. They can be used to keep your adult beverages from dirtying up the coffee table, or placed in a display for show on a wall. Buy some coasters from the store for someone and they may end up in the regift bin; however handmade photo coasters make for a heartfelt gift, that will definitely put a smile on their face. I give full credit for this post to the most awesome Oopsey Daisy over at TipJunkie. Check out the below tutorial and happy coaster-making!
Using resin is an awesome way to memorialize and create projects that will last through rain or shine. It creates a sealed barrier that protects the contents inside, and if the directions are followed precisely, will leave a nice smooth, shiny (almost glass-like) finish. Be sure to follow the directions to a "T" with whichever resin you choose to go with. Once you get it down, you will fall in love with this product, and more will be used for sure in your creative future. 
Here’s how to create these AMAZEBALLS photo coasters…
Start out with a trip to Home Depot.  These 4×4 tiles are only 19 cents each!  It doesn’t get much cheaper than that!  And pick up a package of 72 felt mounting circles for approximately $3.50.  Not too shabby!



Next, you need to order some photo prints. Only 13 cents each at Costco!  Then, cut the prints down to 4"x4" so they will fit on each tile. 



A regular old Elmer’s glue stick can be used to paste each picture onto the tiles.  (I love glue sticks–you can’t leave fingerprints with glue sticks!!)  Try to get the acid-free kind that is safe to use with photos.

We won’t give a full tutorial on using resin because each product is a little different.  For this project we used Envirotex Lite, and followed the instructions on their website very precisely.  The key to using resin is precision.  So be careful, perhaps do a trial run on an extra tile and you should get a high gloss finish that is absolutely beautiful!

After mixing the resin with the hardener, you just pour it on!  Then spread it out using popsicile sticks.  If you have a blow torch, you can use it, ON LOW, to get out the bubbles that pop up in the first 15 minutes or so.  But do you have to use a blow torch?? The answer is NO!  You can blow through a straw, blowing out the bubbles in the very same way.
It should take a full 24 hours to harden up!  Maybe a bit longer, at the longest, up to 72 hours to get completely hard.

Once dry, mount 4 of the felt circles on the bottom of each tile so they can slide easily on wood or any surface without scratching!

Then woooo-hooooo....ALL DONE!  Give yourself a well-deserved pat on the back for creating a frugal, yet very awesome gift. Go DIY'ers - you rock!

Tie them up with a bow and you have the PERFECT gift!  Use these for an anniversary, christmas present, or if you really want to go all out - as favors at your wedding.  As you can see from the tutorial, the time involved isn't unbearably long, but to finish the project for 50-100 pieces will require some dedication as well as some help from a few rock star friends.  Black and white photos create a stunning effect, but color works amazingly well too. 

Now these are just stinkin’ cute!!  Grandparents are sure to adore this project if made with pictures of the little bebe's. 

Two sets of coasters (and enough supplies for a third!) – for less than $10 total.  Awesome possum!!