- Difficultyeasy
- Cost< 42 £
- Duration1-3 h
When crown corks were invented over 125 years ago, nobody anticipated just how many colours and patterns the metal caps would eventually be available in. Today, you can make the most of this variety and use the tiny caps to craft a huge range of different things. Try making a colourful mural! It’s a fun handicraft idea that is also easy peasy thanks to our step-by-step guide.
Have you heard about our 18-volt system yet? It offers a very wide variety of devices for many uses. The thing that makes the project below so special is that you can use the same rechargeable battery for every part of this project. Simply swap out the battery pack, insert it into a different device that is part of the 18-volt system and continue to the next step.
It should go without saying that your safety is paramount throughout every step of the project, so make sure you take the necessary precautions to protect yourself. You can find everything you need to know about the correct protective clothing you need when using each type of tool in our overview.
Measuring, sawing and sanding the frame ledges
In the first step, you’ll work on the frame for the mural. For this, you’ll need to sawn four squared timbers to the length of your MDF board. It’s important here to make sure that the measurements can be divided by 29. This is because the crown corks that you’re going to attach to the board later have a diameter of around 29 mm.
Firmly clamp the squared timber to your workbench before you start sawing. Mark out the cut edge (image 1) and saw there (image 2). Then, sand the cut edge (image 3).
Spray painting the frame
Now it’s time to add a splash of colour: Spray paint the timbers for the frame on all sides in the colour of your choice.
Then, leave it and allow the paint to dry. The fastest way to do this is to use a paint spray system. Check out our Guide to spraying to find everything you need to know.
Sticking strips of painter’s tape to the board
You now need the board that will act as the base to which you’ll glue the crown corks later. You should prepare your board to make sure that everything is perfect and above all straight.
To do this, first stick a strip of adhesive tape on both of the left and right-hand edges (image 1). Starting at the top, use a pencil and pocket rule to mark out intervals of 29 mm on the tape (image 2).
Now, use the markings to stick more strips of adhesive tape horizontally across the entire board (images 3 and 4).
You now have a grid marked out on the board in front of you (image 5) that you can use as a guide when you glue on the crown corks.
Gluing the frame
The squared timbers you spray painted should now be dry. Place them around your base to form a frame and glue them to each side using hot glue.
Gluing a row of crown corks
Once the glue has dried and the frame holds in place, it’s time to get the crown corks involved.
Glue the first row: it should be flush with the frame and the bottom edge of the first strip of adhesive tape. Make sure you apply enough hot glue to the crown corks to ensure they stick firmly to the board.
Removing the strips of adhesive tape and finishing your design
First row complete? Then use a box knife to detach the first strip of adhesive tape (image 1) and remove it completely (image 2).
You can now start gluing the next row – make sure it’s flush with the other crown corks and the next strip of adhesive tape (image 3).
Repeat this process until you have completed your design (image 4).
Well done! You deserve a drink – but don’t forget to keep hold of the crown cork.