22 Wine Cork Crafts You Have To See To Believe

Wine cork crafts title graphic, bold white and yellow lettering on a navy background for easy DIY projects made from corks

Wine cork crafts and easy DIY projects made from the corks you saved. (Image credit: DIY JOY)

That drawer of saved corks is finally about to earn its keep. These 22 wine cork crafts turn every cork you couldn’t bring yourself to toss into something useful, giftable or just plain cute. A wine cork craft is any project built from used natural corks, usually with nothing fancier than a hot glue gun, a craft knife and a drill, and most of them come together in an afternoon. There’s a trivet that takes about five minutes and a hose clamp, tiny succulent magnets for the fridge, carved stamps for a teacher gift and a jewelry rack that tames a tangle of necklaces. For the patient crafter, a full cork giraffe is waiting. One tip before you start: sort the stash by height, because corks that match keep a trivet or a planter box from wobbling.

DIY Wine Cork Crafts

1. Wine Cork Succulent Magnets

Wine cork succulent magnets, pink, orange, yellow, green and teal dipped corks holding small succulents on a white fridge

Wine cork succulent magnets put a tiny garden right on the fridge. Hold each cork with a wrench, then drill a cavity about three quarters of the way down with a 5/16 inch bit, so the bit stays clear of fingers. Shake out the cork dust. Painter’s tape around the top gives a dipped paint look, or leave the cork natural. Hot glue two or three quarter inch magnets to the side, add a pinch of soil and a succulent cutting. Real plants need an occasional drink, while faux succulents last forever.

Get the full tutorial at Crafts by Amanda.

2. DIY Wine Stoppers

DIY wine stoppers made from stamped corks topped with crystal, aqua glass and cobalt ceramic cabinet knobs on a counter

DIY wine stoppers are one of the fastest cork crafts there is, and decorative cabinet knobs do all the pretty work. Mark the center of a cork and drill a pilot hole with a small bit, around 3/32 or 7/64 inch, stopping well short of the far end. Then simply twist the knob’s screw into the hole. Five stoppers take about ten minutes, and picking the knobs takes longer than making them. Not a wine drinker? They fit olive oil and decorative bottles too, and make a sweet hostess gift.

Get the full tutorial at Crafts by Courtney.

3. Little Cork Animals

Little cork animals, a champagne cork mouse with a drawn face wearing a gray crocheted hood with pink ears and a pink bow tie

Little cork animals start with champagne corks, whose rounded mushroom tops make the perfect little heads. Each one gets a simple face drawn on the cork and a tiny crocheted hood with ears, so the same cork can become a mouse, a bear, a rabbit or a deer just by changing the hood. The mouse in the photo wears gray yarn with pink ears and a pink bow tie. Use a fine tip marker or a wood burning pen for the faces. A whole family of them looks adorable on a shelf or tucked into a gift.

Get the full tutorial at Recyclart.

4. Wine Cork Trivet

Wine cork trivet, a round trivet of packed corks held by a steel hose clamp beside a red Dutch oven lid and wooden spoon

A wine cork trivet takes about five minutes and one hardware store part: a 6 inch stainless steel hose clamp. Gather 45 to 50 corks of the same height, since even corks keep the trivet from wobbling. Loosen the clamp and pack corks in from the outside edge toward the center, then tighten just enough to hold them. Flip it over, wiggle the clamp down toward the middle of the corks and tighten it the rest of the way with a flathead screwdriver. It handles a hot Dutch oven straight from the stove.

Get the full tutorial at Sadie Seasongoods.

5. Wine Cork Place Cards

Wine cork place cards with washi taped name tags, each cork topped with a faux cream dahlia, blue berries or eucalyptus sprig

Wine cork place cards are a lovely trick for a party table, and each one holds a tiny faux flower too. With a serrated knife or small saw, carefully cut a slit about a quarter inch deep down the side of each cork. Use a small Phillips screwdriver to bore a deep hole into the top. Snip a short piece of artificial blossom and stem and push the stem into the hole. Cut a card stock name tag, trim it with washi tape and slide it into the slit. Bigger cards work too.

Get the full tutorial at Muslin and Merlot.

6. Wine Cork Reindeer

Wine cork reindeer with brown pipe cleaner antlers, red pom pom noses and red ribbon scarves in front of folded paper trees

Wine cork reindeer are the holiday craft that looks best as a whole herd lined up on a shelf. Cut one cork into four lengthwise pieces for the legs, slice a short piece off another for the head and use a whole cork for the body, then hot glue it all together. Shape dark brown pipe cleaners into antlers, add short light brown pieces for ears and a tail, then finish with a red pom pom nose and a ribbon scarf. A toothpick between head and body adds strength, and even legs help them stand.

Get the full tutorial at DIY JOY.

7. Wine Cork Necklace

Wine cork necklace in progress, hands twisting a clear crystal flower bead on a wire loop into the end of a natural cork

A wine cork necklace is a surprisingly stylish way to wear a favorite vintage, and handmade cork pendants sell on Etsy for around $25. The basic idea is a single cork worn as a pendant, dressed up with beads, a crystal flower bead or copper wire twisted around it, then hung on a chain or a black leather cord. Some versions add a dangling bottle cap, and turning the cork sideways makes a choker. The same technique works for cork key chains, so one batch of supplies covers a gift or two.

Get the full tutorial at DIY JOY.

8. DIY Cork Wine Stoppers

DIY cork wine stoppers on three chardonnay bottles, topped with a green stone, a white crystal and an amethyst cluster

DIY cork wine stoppers need just two things: leftover corks and small flat bottomed treasures to glue on top. Superglue a polished stone, a chunk of crystal or a little geode to the top of each cork and let it set. Any small object with a flat base works, so a single button, a drawer knob or a pretty bead can stand in for the stones. Line a few up on bottles for a tasting party. They also make a quick add on for a wine gift, especially with a cork from the same winery.

Get the full tutorial at Kendall-Jackson.

9. Cork Stamps

Cork stamps with carved stars, an X and circles painted in bright colors, standing beside blue star prints on white paper

Cork stamps are a charming handmade gift, and the carving is easier than it looks. Pick corks with a smooth end, never the end the corkscrew went through, and use an X-Acto knife with a fresh blade over a cutting mat. Draw a simple shape, then cut around it so it stands up from the cork. Letters must be carved in reverse. For a bigger stamping surface, split a cork lengthwise into two thirds and one third pieces. Adhesive foam cut to the cork’s size is another option, and a notch near the top helps grip.

Get the full tutorial at Design Mom.

10. Wine Cork Keychains

Wine cork keychains, three corks with silver screw eyes and split rings holding silver and brass house keys on white

Wine cork keychains float, which makes them perfect for the pool, the beach or a boat. Twist a small screw eye, about 1 1/8 inch, straight into one end of a cork. The end that was never punctured by the corkscrew holds the screw best. Open a key ring, either a split ring or one salvaged from paper key tags, hook it through the eye and add a key or two. A keychain that only carries the house or pool key keeps the full set safe at home. Corks with fun printed sayings make the cutest ones.

Get the full tutorial at The Kim Six Fix.

11. Wine Cork Monogram Letters

Wine cork monogram letters, two tall wooden initials covered in stained corks with a gray ampersand on a party food table

Wine cork monogram letters make a big statement at a shower, a wedding or a wine themed party. Start with large wooden craft store letters, about 13 inches tall and only a few dollars each. Hot glue the corks onto the letters standing vertically, letting the purple and red wine stains show here and there for color. Plan ahead and collect corks for a few weeks, because a big letter takes a lot of them. Extra corks can trim a picture frame to hold a printed wine quote for the same party.

Get the full tutorial at Popular with the Poplins.

12. DIY Wine Glass Charms

DIY wine glass charms, cork discs stamped with red initials tied to etched glass stems with jute on a pewter tray

DIY wine glass charms from cork are a much prettier answer to the “whose glass is this” problem. Cut a cork into half inch thick discs with a sharp knife on a cutting board. Stamp each disc with a letter rubber stamp and pigment ink in a bold color. Hold the disc flat and twist a small eye screw into its side, then thread a strand of jute through the loop and tie it around a glass stem. Every guest gets an initial, and the rustic look suits a vineyard dinner or anniversary party.

Get the full tutorial at Family Chic.

13. Wine Cork Sculpture

Wine cork sculpture of a tall giraffe made from hundreds of glued corks standing on a granite kitchen counter

A wine cork sculpture is the ultimate project for a serious cork stash, and this one is a giraffe taller than most bar decor. The frame is wire clothes hangers bent into the body, legs and neck, then bulked out with newspaper and packing tape. Drywall seam tape over the top is optional but helps the corks grip. Hot glue the corks on starting at the body and working out to the neck and legs. Then squeeze wood glue between the corks. It dries cork colored and makes the whole piece sturdy.

Get the full tutorial at Lil Blue Boo.

14. Wine Cork Hair Clip

Wine cork hair clip shaped like a layered pink and natural cork flower clipped into a young girl's blond hair

Wine cork hair clips are a cute, quick craft for a girls’ craft night or a party table. Slice corks into thin rounds with an X-Acto knife, then layer and hot glue the rounds into little flower shapes and glue them to a plain hair clip. The same cut cork pieces make earrings, a brooch or shoe clips that add a little something to sandals. Mix in rounds from stained red wine corks for color. The project page shows a whole group of finished pieces made at one crafting event.

Get the full tutorial at karapaslaydesigns.com.

15. Miniature Cork Planters For Your Succulents

Miniature cork planters wrapped in pink, red and green fabric scraps, holding succulents on a painted teal jar lid base

Miniature cork planters are a scrap busting project that reuses three things most crafters hoard: corks, jar lids and fabric scraps. Hollow out one end of each cork with a sharp chisel in small cuts until it is about two thirds deep. Wrap a strip of fabric around the cork and hot glue the ends, adding a narrower strip on top if you like. Fill with soil using an old spoon and tuck in a broken succulent piece. Single planters tip over, so glue a few to a painted jar lid for a stable base.

Get the full tutorial at Akamatra.

16. DIY Easy Cork Planter Box

DIY easy cork planter box covered in white wine corks in alternating pairs, filled with colorful succulents on a teak table

A cork planter box is an easy way to dress up a simple wooden box for a centerpiece. Choose a box sized for its spot, and add a plastic liner or drill drainage holes depending on the plants. Hot glue corks to the outside, working in a pattern of two by two that alternates vertical and horizontal pairs. White wine corks keep the colors similar, while red wine corks add pops of color and texture. Fill the box halfway with the right potting soil, then plant. Succulents look especially good against cork.

Get the full tutorial at Beckmen Vineyards.

17. Wine Cork Hooks

Wine cork hooks, two horizontal strips of glued corks with small metal hooks holding beaded and pearl necklaces on a wall

Wine cork hooks give a jumble of necklaces a tidy, good looking home. Sort the corks by size, putting the longest ones on the ends and alternating larger and smaller across the middle so the rack doesn’t look lopsided. Lay them label side down on a drop cloth and hot glue them together from the back, using plenty of glue to fill the gaps. Once dry, flip the strip over and add a hook to every other cork, larger hooks on the top strip and smaller ones below. Finishing nails hang it on the wall.

Get the full tutorial at Oh Purple Panda.

18. Wine Cork Angels

Wine cork angels with smiling wooden bead heads, twine halos and gold ribbon bow wings, shown with faces drawn in marker

Wine cork angels are an easy Christmas ornament, and craft stores sell bags of corks for anyone who hasn’t been saving. Brush matte Mod Podge over small wooden balls and let it dry, which keeps marker from bleeding and helps blush stick. Add rosy cheeks with a little blush on a small brush and draw sweet faces with a fine tip marker. Hot glue a head onto each cork, tie twine around the neck, glue a twine loop to the back and finish with a ribbon bow as wings. They look adorable on a gift.

Get the full tutorial at One Little Project.

19. Upcycle Wine Corks Into Place Card Holders

Upcycled wine cork place card holders, four corks cut flat with angled slits holding white name cards in black script

Wine corks become sturdy place card holders with nothing more than a cutter and a printer. Cut a thin slice off the bottom of each cork so it sits flat on the table without rolling. Then make an angled cut, about 45 degrees, down into the top to hold the card. Print the names in a pretty font, cut them out and slip them in. Four holders take well under an hour. They won’t break if a guest knocks one over, and they are great for settling the nightly seating debate.

Get the full tutorial at My Sweet Things.

20. Easy DIY Wine Cork Board

Easy DIY wine cork board, a round tray packed with pink, white and gray painted corks holding notes, hung on rope

An easy DIY wine cork board starts with a round tray, which acts as a ready made frame. Count out enough corks to fill it first; a 10 1/4 inch round tray holds about 91. Paint the tray with white chalk paint, and paint the corks too if you like, in soft pink, white and gray acrylic. Tacky glue each cork into the tray until no gaps show. Then glue a long piece of twine around the outside with permanent craft adhesive as a hanger, holding it with clothespins while it sets. Pin notes right into it.

Get the full tutorial at DIY JOY.

21. Old Window Turned Wine Cork Board

Old window turned wine cork board, a white six pane window filled with corks above a desk with a laptop and red flowers

An old window turned wine cork board is a thrift store bargain with serious charm. Paint the window frame white before adding any corks, so slips are easy to hide. Lay corks out in a pattern on one pane first and count them; each pane in this window took 54 corks. Hot glue the corks into each pane. For push pins with personality, hot glue dollar store tacks onto the backs of old buttons. Hang it over a desk for notes, appointment reminders and favorite photos. Salvage shops often sell old windows cheap.

Get the full tutorial at Mom 4 Real.

22. Wine Cork Basket

Wine cork basket, a wooden basket covered in rows of corks with a cork wrapped handle and a red gingham fabric lining

A wine cork basket turns a plain wooden basket into a charming picnic carrier. Choose one with flat, smooth sides, a wide opening and a flat handle. Corks won’t stick to a thin rim, so cut a groove into each one with a utility knife, dry fit it, then hot glue it over the edge. Angle cut the corner corks for a snug fit. Work row by row down the sides with plenty of glue, cover the handle and add cork sheet underneath. A gingham lining edged with grosgrain ribbon finishes it.

Get the full tutorial at Chica and Jo.

Wine Cork Crafts -32 DIYIdeas for Wine Corks