While perusing how I could efficiently produce presents for all of my friends and family this year but still trying to save money while doing so, I decided to take up the act of making these DIY marble coasters — and I’ve now made a set just for myself because I’m that obsessed.
Coasters not your jam? Check out my other DIYs that are perfect for upcoming holidays or more specifically, DIY photo magnets.
- Quantity: 6 coasters for 2 small packs of polymer clay
- Cost: ~$2 a coaster
How to Make DIY Marble Coasters
Here are the items you’ll need to get started.
- Sculpey III Oven Bake Polymer Clay in White and Black ($5 per pack; feel free to do different combinations of colors if you want a combination other than black and white marble)
- Paper plate (the black will stain various surfaces just an FYI) or Wax paper
- Rolling pin
- Glass or coffee mug (depending on how big you want the coaster to be)
- Scotch felt pads ($3; peel and stick kind)
- Aluminum Foil
- Baking sheet
Step 1: Combine pieces of white and black clay together into balls
Be sure to to also twist the clay when melding everything together. This helps it get more of that “marble” look.
Step 2: Use a rolling pin or the flat end of a glass to flatten the clay and then use the glass to cut out the clay shape
When cutting the shape you want for the clay, all you need to do is push down and peel away the extras. If your coaster is thicker, it will be easier to pull up from your surface of choice without getting misshapen, but the thinner it is the tougher it will be to pull up if you’re using a paper plate, but you can also put on wax paper and get a better result.
Step 3: Set your oven to 275 degrees and pop your coasters in for 15-20 minutes depending on thickness of clay on aluminum foil
The rule is about 15 minutes of oven-time per 1/4 inch. If you have a few coasters fairly small in thickness I’d say keep them in for 15 minutes and check on the curing after that. Add in the oven for another 5 minutes if you find you can still flex the clay but keep an eye on it if you add extra time — you might see bubbles if it’s in there for too long.
Step 4: Let cool and then add 3 felt pads to each coaster
Important note here is that the coaster size and quantity you can provide will vary if you use a smaller glass vs. a coffee mug which has a wider circumference. If you only have these 2 packs of clay but want larger coaster sizes, you will not have as many coasters to give out!
Either way, these DIY marble coasters are super stylish and make easy gifts that go with plenty of home decor styles, or even for your friends new work-from-home spots because #COVID19.
Let me know what you think!
xoxo,
Celina
