Introduction: Magazine Coasters
We buy magazines, flip through them and then toss. With so many colors, fonts and fine details within, we barely take the time to read the headlines. Having worked for Ethos Magazine as photo editor for the past three years, I know the great amount of time, energy, detail and extreme precision that goes into producing a magazine. As an outcome, I have a hard time throwing them away. So I figured out a way to utilize the abundance of colors and designs to produce an item with functionality, magazine coasters.
Step 1: Things You Will Need
- Old magazines
- Scissors
- Modge Podge or Rubber Cement with brush
- Paper clip
Step 2: Making Strips
Rip out colorful pages from old magazines. I found that advertisements work best if you want to use a variety of colors. Fold the straight edge of the magazine over about 1/4 of an inch. Make about 4 folds. you should stick with the same fold size so that when your coaster is complete, it lies flat and is all one level.
Step 3: Glue and Cut
Spread glue along the edge and fold over one last time. Cut along the edge until you have a thin strip. Create about 30 strips before you begin the rolling process.
Step 4: Rolling the First Strip
For the first strip, (the center of your coaster) apply glue all along one side of the strip. Then open up a paperclip and roll the strip around the paperclip with your fingers. Using the paperclip will allow the center to be tight and circular.
Step 5: Rolling Remaining Strips
For the next strip, apply glue to one side and attach it to the end of the previous strip so there is a smooth flow from one strip into the next. Then wrap this strip around itself. Keep wrapping strips around the coaster until it is as wide as you wish it to be.
Step 6: Drying
Once you have wrapped all the strips onto the coaster, allow several hours for the coaster to dry.
Cheers!
7 Comments
11 years ago on Introduction
cool... i'm about to do it this weekend.. thanks for sharing ;)
11 years ago on Step 6
Haha i thought about trying this. Thank you for posting an instrucable so I dont have to figure out how to do it on my own :)
11 years ago on Introduction
You could also apply a foil edge to the entire thing. Copper foil you can get in various sizes for doing copper-foiled stained glass. You could even drive a pin or staple into the overlapping edges of the foil (it has a sticky back which will already aid in keeping it together) for even more extended life.
11 years ago on Introduction
These are pretty temporary as is, because if you put a cold drink on them, condensation will form and wet the paper and Mod Podge and the whole thing will come apart. If you want to keep them for a while, seal them by thoroughly coating all sides with a water-resistant coating like spray acrylic or polyurethane. They still won't be completely waterproof, but they may last a bit longer.
11 years ago on Introduction
greate idea....
11 years ago on Introduction
Haha this is so cool! This is an excellent way of reusing old magazines. Thanks for sharing.
11 years ago on Introduction
These are very cute. The trick with the paperclip is great, too.