Mosaic Coasters from Cereal Boxes

Decorate your table with Mosaic Coasters from Cereal Boxes from Heidi Borchers. This recycled craft isn't complicated or expensive but it's definitely fun!


 

Materials:

• Cereal boxes - for base of coaster you will need 1 piece (4”x 4” or 4” x 5”) and ½” pieces cut for ‘mosaic’ pieces (sort into colors)
• Ruler, pencil, paper cutter
• Black acrylic paint
• Brush
• Waxed paper
• Clear plastic sheets you will need 2 slightly larger than cereal box base (I used clear shrink plastic)
• Metallic tape - silver (mine is approx 1/4” wide and is the kind used with stained glass - it has adhesive on back side)
• Glue (I’ve used Aleene’s Tacky Glue)

Instructions:

1. Determine the size you want your coasters (examples are 4"x4" and 4"x5"). Cut 1 piece from cereal box for each coaster. Paint the plain cardboard side with the black acrylic paint.
   
   
    
2. With a ruler and pencil, measure and mark lines 1/2” apart going in both directions.
   
   
    
3. Cut colorful box pieces into 1/2" squares and glue into the pre-drawn squares.
   
   
    
4. When completely dry, if necessary cut off the excess of the pieces that hang over edge.
   
   
    
5. Cut the two pieces of plastic.
   
   
    
6. Cut 4 pieces of the metallic tape about ½” longer than each side. One at a time, peel the paper backing from the first strip, and place center of the tape on the edge of the plastic sheet.
    
7. Continue with all sides. Place on table with sticky side up. Place the cardboard right side down onto plastic.
   
   
    
8. Cut the corners of the tape.
   
   
    
9. Place 2nd sheet of plastic over the back, lining up edges and being careful not to stick your fingers or plastic onto the sticky tape.
    
   
    
10. Bend edges of the tape over each side wrapping around from front to back catching the cardboard and plastic. The tape should now be cleanly wrapped around all edges. Run the edge of a pencil along tape on all four sides to smooth out the tape.