Corks have a story. We may associate them with a vacation or a special occasion, Wineries make choices to display images, names, saying, regions, phone numbers, websites, and more.
Wine is a decorating theme in our home. Bottles, presses, and corks are easily found. (a past post)
In terms of corks, all wine corks are not created equal.
- In general, there are 3 types of corks: natural, composite, and plastic
- Natural cork is from the inner bark of an oak tree (yes, primarily the Cork Oak)
- The plastic even come in a variety of colors
- To me, the composites resemble pressed sawdust bound by a resin
- Corks have different lengths and diameters
- If corks display printing, some are printed vertically, others horizontally
- Some are printed the same on both sides, while others may have something different on the opposite side
This is a small cubby in our lower level. The angle on the upper left is the stairs. Some in our neighbors have a wet bar in the space, but we went with just the counter.
This past January, my wife showed me an interesting image from Pinterest. I suggested we could do that in the lower-level cubby. After researching possible designs on Google Images, ideas were racing through my mind. The key question was original free-form/abstract or uniform? Measurements and calculations allowed me to estimated the need for 1050-1100 wine corks (if corks occupied the entire space).
After the easier-than-expected collection phase, I began designing. My initial thought was to put together a variety of designs on the mock-up to see what we liked and disliked. But, as I got going, I changed and tweaked as I progressed.
A few weeks later we were in a new restaurant for my birthday, and we saw several cork designs – and my wife liked a particular uniform design. Because I had so many corks, I created a second mock-up (in about 40 minutes) so we could compare.
During my cork collecting phase, I got an idea that friends thought was crazy. Whereas people were shocked to learn that I was on the prowl for 1000 corks – but then I told them I changed my goal to 1000 different corks – and no plastic ones.
With two prototype designs completed, my wife and I preferred different designs. While she found the eclectic design too busy, I found it easier on the eyes. Whereas she liked the uniformity of second design, it was a blurred to my eyes. So the challenge became to create something relatively uniform to fit her taste, yet be easy on my eyes.
As for the actual construction, first step was cutting a piece of plywood to fit the back wall. This would serve as a surface for mounting the corks (as opposed to attaching them directly to the wall).
All the advance work led us to cover the plywood with cork shelf paper. This could help add depth to our design.
The actual construction was a slow process. After all, in most cases, we glued the corks individually – most of the 800+ one by one. We did most of the work on a table. After attaching the board to the wall, we completed the project. Voilà!
Factoids
- Longest dimensions: Bottom row 48 in (122 cm); Right side 40 in (101 cm)
- 860 corks used
- Only 2 plastic corks (because they were special to me)
- Plain/blank corks form a border around the design
- From the 860, subtracting the border places and the horizontal row of corks from sparkling wines – yes – no duplicates are displayed in the remaining 727
Wow!! What a mammoth task, imagine if you had to drink all the bottles yourself 🙂 I think your wall looks great Frank – and if every cork tells a story your guests will never go home!! I don’t think such a thing could be done here any more as most of our wineries have moved over to screw tops – it just isn’t the same!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Pauline,
Many thanks for the kind words … Regarding all those bottles, oh yes … I imagine if I drank all of them! 😉 … So many stories on those corks. Can’t recall if I mentioned this in the post, but I’m working on trivia questions for the wall … more like a Where’s Waldo? in the form of questions. Meanwhile, still many corks still here, but the transition to screw caps is in progress.
LikeLike
PS: … and praise for a Master Crafter is very appreciated. 🙂
LikeLike
Amazing a task of patience and creatively. It looks fantastic and worth the time and effort you put in it.
LikeLike
Kim,
Patience and creativity are two good words for this project … so thanks … and yes, we are happy with the results! 🙂
LikeLike
I am so impressed with the skill, ingenuity and just fabulous-ness over-all!!!!! Well Done, aFa and Mrs. Right A. No more roses to speak of….mostly rain and wind…for the next 6 to 7 to 8 months. This October was the second wettest since rainfall began to be measured, gloated over and archived….over 8 inches. I’m not impressed…..just sayin’…..
LikeLiked by 1 person
Raye,
Glad you appreciated this endeavor. Actually went faster than anticipated … but fun … especially once I got in the self-challenge of no duplicates.
I knew your area is typically rainy in the winter, but your October was brutal. Hopefully the rest of winter will be less eventful! Otherwise, hope all is well!!!
LikeLike
Corks were a hassle for me. Thankfully I can now associate corks with a frustrating past.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Mary,
Oh no …. at least you can see successes here. What were you trying to do?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, very creative, Frank and a great way to recycle. 🙂
LikeLike
Mary,
Thanks … and even move the leftovers to people who could use them!
LikeLike
Wow, that’s fantastic Frank! It just wouldn’t be the same with screw caps would it. I’m always delighted these days if I buy a bottle of wine and find an actual (non plastic) cork in it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Vanessa,
Agree … but on the plus side, the caps come in different colors … and I wonder if any print is on top of the caps.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s true! And beer bottle caps are used in decorative ways to make things, so maybe wine bottle screw caps are the next art material!
LikeLike
We might be on to something!
LikeLike
Well done, Frank (and Ms. Angle)! I didn’t know decorating with corks was such a thing.
Our younger daughter has some wine-themed decorations, too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Merril,
Thank you. The number of projects one can do with corks is mind boggling …. let alone the countless designs available for this project. What decorations does your daughter have?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I honestly don’t remember them all, but they do have a display with wine bottles for anniversaries 1-5. They drank #1. Guests at their wedding wrote comments to go with the different bottles/anniversaries. They will be moving from an apartment to a house in a few months, and I imagine there will be more. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is so cool! I love it. Should be on one of those home decorating shows.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Carrie!!!!!
Hey there … hope all is well up there! This was a fun project to do … and the layout/design options a person has are unlimited … so planning is essential.
How did the move go?
LikeLike
Oy. A lot of closing hassles, including finding out the day movers were packing us up that we couldn’t close that day after all. A few more closing snafus after that–all paperwork errors made by the banks, I might add–but we finally managed to move and finalize things. Don’t want to go through that again, but now that we’re in the townhome we love it! Smack dab in our downtown community. Library across the street, market down the block, restaurants to walk to. Love it!
Hope all is well and that you and your wife are adjusting to the new rhythm of her retirement.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Ouch … that would be frustrating … but the good news is that it is over!!!! Thanks for sharing because I’ve been thinking about your move. Seems your new life is off to a great start! Any craft brewers nearby?
LikeLike
Not really, but plenty of restaurants that serve them. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Here, craft brewers are popping up like mushrooms after a rain. Crazy & fun …. wonder how many will be still be around in 5 years.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Clever and attractive. I wondered about cutting each lengthwise. It would have shortened your quest for 1000. But, cutting could be tedious and dangerous.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jim,
As part of the planning process, I cut some corks …. not only lengths-wise, but also the tips. Different elevations within the design can add depth. However, in my case, shortening the quest wasn’t an option because of my quest for no duplicates displayed. Besides, getting corks would also be easier than cutting them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such a cool project! And it looks fantastic.
A friend of mine installed a cork kitchen floor. (Cork, not corks!) I thought she was nuts until I saw her drop a piece of crystal on it and it didn’t even chip. My ceramic tile would have obliterated it!
LikeLike
Elyse,
A fun project indeed. I’ve heard of cork flooring, but haven’t seen any. First thought is wondering about durability.
LikeLiked by 1 person
She’s had it now for about 10 years. It is wonderfully easy on the feet and legs — she is an amazing cook (Italian!) and loves it. I wonder about cleaning it! How do you do it???
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great question … you’ll have to ask her. I’m guessing it is more durable that we think. …. Here’s something. http://flooring-professionals.com/how-to-clean-cork-flooring/
LikeLike
She loves it. If I ever install a floor, I think I might consider it. It’s easier on the back and legs!
LikeLiked by 1 person
At least you know someone who has it, which is a great resource.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is SUPER cool. Well done!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Betsy,
Thanks … definitely a fun endeavor for us, which included multiple challenges.
LikeLike
No doubt! And we thought we were cool over here for having a small frame filled with corks in a pseudo-pattern. Pfft!
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL …. but that’s OK. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, Frank that’s impressive! I love it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Kayjai,
Thanks … but I know you would have loved participating in empty all the bottles.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Frank, a very cool project indeed. It certainly would have been quite the task to obtain all those corks by consuming the contents they protected at one time. Cork trivia is a natural progression based on the stories involved regarding their various arrivals upon your wall.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Bruce,
The trivia ideas came to me during the design process, especially once I got the idea of no duplicates displayed. Nonetheless, the project was quite the journey in multiple ways.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for giving me the chance to see your cork art at your house in its final stage. I still have a drawer full of corks I saved for you if you need them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Tim,
Glad you got to see this, although your eyes were zooming around at other stuff that day … this art takes a bit of studying to take fun to another level. As far as your extra corks, do with them as you please, or I can pass them on to others who collect corks.
LikeLike
Of course, you’ve done this! You would just LOVE the amount of corks I have… Been collecting for eons with a plan of eventually doing something. Have a few glass jars filled to the rim as well as bags and drawers… I’ve a couple of projects in mind… hoping I have the creativity necessary to put them into action.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dale,
I knew you would love this one! Great to hear you have been collecting corks for a project in the future … and now you have another idea! On Google Images, search Wine Cork Walls …. plus Wine Cork projects (or crafts)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Don’t I know it… too funny. We are in cahoots!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just wait until you see what Google Images finds!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I went to a restaurant once and fell in love with some huge wine bottle image made with corks. Took a pic and have been fantasizing about it since…
LikeLiked by 1 person
A project for your new place (wherever it may be … and whenever.)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Si!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
breathtakingly beautiful design! wow, to think I’ve been telling you “Cheers” and that’s exactly what y’all’ve been doing, lol.
Bravo for playing with the design, you both won a conversation art piece. Inspirational for the rest of us just drinking wine and pitching the cork. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Roxie,
Many thanks for the kind words. Playing with the design aspect was part of the fun – especially for those who would enjoy an eclectic design. You would be amazed what you can find on Google Images … search Wine Cork Walls …. some are true art!!!! … saw some as backsplashes in a kitchen.
One a side note, outside of crafts, there’s very little that can be done with used corks. I searched for recycling opportunities, but results were difficult to find.
LikeLike
I really think you missed your calling – art. Well, ok, photography is art, but your creative eye is amazing!
Wait, no recycling possible? Hmmm, sounds like a biz opp for someone. ..
Can plastic corks work in art? They seem to be everywhere know.
LikeLike
I also found the recycling tidbit interesting … although some places in the country have collection bins. One place here uses them to make mulch for their store’s landscape.
Plastic corks would absolutely work for art … and they come in many different colors (which give more options).
Meanwhile, see these two links.
http://tinyurl.com/gtep2ar
http://tinyurl.com/h7tood9
LikeLike
Thanks! Oh wow, you’ve given me another idea, I can paint the plastic ones! Ohhhh love the mulch idea, I’ll look around here to see if there’s a place.
LikeLike
I would think they are paintable …. but I have found the synthetics in many colors … black, white, light gray, dark gray, light blue, medium blue, dark blue, red, pink, burgundy, orange, yellow, lime green, forest green, standard green, and maybe others.
LikeLiked by 1 person
good to k now, Frank. What do you think if I had a bit of fun, at a wine store and mess with their minds, “Say, do y’all have a dark blue synthetic cork in a lovely cabernet?”
LikeLike
LOL … I think it’s a great question to ask!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Talk about a feature wall! I hope you never have to move. It is stunning. I’ve been buried deep in all the things life throws at a person, but I needed to carve out some time to visit my Peeps! Miss you!❤
LikeLiked by 2 people
Lorna,
Thanks for the kind words. Interestingly, moving it would be easy because about 7 screws hold the entire thing in place. True, the edges would be damaged in the process, but move of the “wall” would be in place …. PLUS, repairing the drywall’s 7 holes would be easy. Glad you saw this little piece of pride we have here. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
That sounds perfect. Stunning and portable!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Instead of portable, the plan thought about minimizing the wall repair if it was taken down.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That makes sense!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nice job, Frank! My roommates and I built a huge one of these wall designs in college….we used it for….wait for it….a cork board!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cynthia,
LOL … that’s great! The bigger the space, the more error. … BTW … you would love some of the art I found with corks … search Google Images … Cork Wall Projects.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Will do!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well done, Frank! I love the wall. 😀 😀
LikeLike
Resa,
Why am I not surprised you love this? 😉
LikeLike
Wow! Very cool, Frank! Liked your line, ” easier-than-expected collection phase!” Very interesting info on the corks themselves as well. Last year, my sister-in-law and I used corks in the centerpieces for her daughter’s wedding reception. They formed the base of vases that each held a large battery-operated candle. And of course, the idea came from Pinterest! Had to collect corks way in advance from everyone we knew, which was fun in itself, because of the stories associated with the corks!
LikeLike
Wonderfully completed artwork you and you’re wife created. Well done, aFrank. You must love math. My hubby figures things out mathematically all the time. Me: I do not like math. Well,maybe, if it’s green and paper. LOL
We have a friend who opened a gallery where we showcase our artwork. He does nautical cork artwork. He decorated a cigar box with cork and made a purse. Artists we’re all mad.😳
I’m sure you enjoyed some of those wines. 🍷
Cheers …
Isadora 😎
LikeLike
We save corks, too, Frank, but nothing like this huge project has ever transpired! Wow! I’m so impressed with the finished project. You were really committed. I hope you take your photo and add it to Pinterest. You’ll inspire other “cork savers!”
LikeLiked by 2 people
Debra,
Thanks for the kind words. Maybe my wife will post it on Pintrest. One thing for sure, design possibilities are endless.
LikeLike
That is gorgeous! Recycling, sound proofing, art, and a memory stash all in one.
We have a store that recycles corks, so ours all go there…we don’t need any additional projects right now – no matter how cool
LikeLiked by 1 person
Mouse,
Glad you enjoyed this. A store here collects corks, which they mulch for their outside landscaping.
LikeLike
Very cool indeed! I am afraid to think how long (or more precisely, how little time) it would take me to amass enough corks for such a project!
LikeLike
Jeff,
I knew you would enjoy this. Although I’m well represented on the wall, I did seek the help of friends, restaurants, and wine stores for this project. Especially after I decided on the “no duplicates displayed” rule. The numbers at the end of the post are quite telling. You would love the trivia questions to go along with the wall!
LikeLike
Very nice!
LikeLike
Rose Warrior,
Welcome first-time commenter. As a warrior for the pink, you obviously have good taste 🙂 … and glad you appreciated by wall creation.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very creative!
LikeLike
Well, this was a revelation, Frank! I didn’t realise that you were such a handy man 🙂 🙂 The wall looks great! The photo on my post this morning is actually a small portion of an outside wall in a local restaurant that I’ve stopped to admire several times. We collect corks for recycling and there is a chain of cork shops in Portugal, where you can buy everything from place mats to handbags and shoes made of cork. In response to the changeover to plastics and screw top bottles, because Portugal has many thousands of cork oaks and corks for wine were a major industry. Got to admire the ingenuity.
Incidentally, thanks for the nice email. I haven’t had time to respond today so please accept this instead. Happy launch day on Tuesday!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jo,
This project was a labor of love. Actually, I’m not a handyman, but this project wasn’t that hard to do. Coming up with a design that both my wife and I approved was the hardest part. My favorite part about this wall is that there are NO duplicate corks. None!
No question – the wine industry is in transition regarding corks. As a wine drinker, that’s fine with me.
LikeLiked by 1 person