Back over Memorial Day weekend, my husband and I made our first-ever trip to IKEA….and it was incredible! Seriously, it was everything I hoped it would be. Pinterest is of course filled with all these amazing hacks and DIY projects using their basic products, so I was eager to give my own a try. Oh, and let’s not even start on those prices! #takemymoney
We didn’t get too carried away and buy an entire showroom (no, that’s coming when we move later this year….be prepared, Honey!), but we did snag a few items, one of which was a 3-pack of cork trivets.
I had first planned on painting them with some cute design that was TBD, but then I started worrying (because that’s what I do)….would the hot dishes cause problems for the paint, or would the paint cause problems for the dishes??? Either way, that would not be good. I mean we’re actually going to use these bad boys, so I want their upcycling design to have some staying power and also not wreck our kitchenware. Maybe craft paint and hot casseroles go together like peas and carrots, but I didn’t feel like testing it out here.
So I put on my thinking cap and started brainstorming ideas, then it hit me: BURN THE DESIGN! Yep, I’d been eyeing getting a wood burner for some time and giving it a go, and this project seemed like the perfect opportunity to test out this new crafty pursuit. Luckily, this skill is easy to master (at least with cork) and my DIY burned IKEA cork trivets proved to be a huge success!
DIY Burned IKEA Cork Trivets: A Cheap & Easy IKEA Hack!
Here’s a quick rundown of this project:
Supplies
- 3-pack of IKEA HEAT 7″ cork trivets
- Wood burner with interchangeable tips and adjustable heat
- Contact paper stencil (or use paper/stickers to create a stencil, or just freehand the design)
- Silhouette Cameo (or you could just use scissors/Xacto knife)
- Pen or marker
The Cork Trivets
Here are the cork trivets we snagged at IKEA. They came as a 3-pack for I think $3.99, so like everything else at this land of enchantment and wonder….super affordable!
Creating the Stencils
Since I am completely obsessed with my Silhouette Cameo, I put it to good use and had it cut out the stencils for me. You of course don’t need a Silhouette for this task though (but I highly recommend picking one up because it is my most favorite crafting tool in the history of ever…just check out my Project Gallery to see why!).
A stencil can also be created with a pair of scissors, an Xacto knife, stickers, or even just free-handing the design on the cork….I’m not that brave though. #cantdrawastraightline
I created the designs for my three trivets in Silhouette Studio then cut them out of contact paper that I grabbed at the dollar store. This was my first time ever cutting this medium on my Silhouette, and it worked perfectly….and it’s way cheaper than using precious vinyl!
Once all three of my stencils were cut, I trimmed them and weeded (or removed) all the excess parts.
This particular pattern of contact paper was rather busy and made it somewhat difficult to see my final design, but holding it up to the light made it easier to double check that I had weeded everything that needed to go.
Applying the Stencils to the Cork Trivets
Next, it was time to apply all three stencils to their respective cork trivets. I first added some transfer tape over the stencils then used the fail-proof hinge method to apply them, which I talk about in more detail here, here, or here.
And here’s the stencil once applied (don’t worry, I smoothed out the inner portion of the “Y”….I know it looks all wonky in the photo):
Tracing the Design Onto the Cork Trivets
I then grabbed the closest writing utensil I could find which happened to be a pen, but a marker would work too. I started filling in all the elements of the design and then removed the stencil.
The Wood Burner
Like I mentioned, this was my very first time ever using a wood burning tool, so this was a pure experiment for me. I picked up this particular set that came with a bunch of different interchangeable tips as well as a handy dandy storage case. It also allows you to adjust the heat depending on what type of item you’re burning….I like having options.
This tool can be used on not only wood and cork, but also leather, paper crafts, or other home decor items like fake pumpkins…..guess what I’ll be trying out this fall!
Thanks to a little bit of serendipity, the dots on my design ended up being the same size as the flow (or round) tip on my burner, so I quickly burnt those by just pressing straight down for a couple seconds over each dot. I then let the burner cool down completely, removed the flow tip and replaced it with the calligraphy one (it’s sort of angled with both skinny and wide parts), then burned the rest of my design once the burner was preheated again. I found it was easier to complete all the thick, chunkier sections first, then go back and do all the thin lines.
The cork is obviously softer than wood, so I didn’t need to use very much pressure to get a nice sear. You can also change up your design and adjust not only the pressure you apply, but also the length of time you leave your tip in contact with the cork as well as the angle you apply it. It’s quite an amazing little tool.
There’s of course no erase button (nuts!), so I had to be focused at all times with just where and how I applied the wood burner tip to the cork, but it was rather easy to clean up the edges. I’ve also read that you can fix tiny mistakes when burning wood with just a little sanding….not sure if that will work with cork too, but it’s a handy tip.
The Completed DIY Burned IKEA Cork Trivets!
And here they are: all three of my DIY burned IKEA cork trivets! I cannot tell you how much I love these little suckers….they are just so cool, and I love that they’re still completely practical and functional. We’ll be putting them to good and regular use in no time.
I’m also quite proud of myself for making all three of them without any mistakes….or third-degree burns (see Hubs, I told ya I wouldn’t have to go to the hospital with this one!). ;)
One of the details that I especially love about these is that the designs are three-dimensional thanks to them being burnt *into* the cork. Yep, the wood burner provided great texture and character that you just can’t get with paint, vinyl, or a Sharpie.
I think using this technique to personalize trivets or coasters would be such a fun and unique (and still very practical) gift idea!
Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope you enjoyed my first IKEA hack! :)
Jody says
February 13, 2019 at 12:21 pmI’ve never heard of the Silhouette. Is the software used on your computer and as user friendly as Publisher?
Kareen says
November 29, 2018 at 1:32 amGood thing I came across your post! this is helpful! been looking for DIY cork burning technique ;) Thank youuuu!!!!! this would be a great present this coming holiday! :)
Jean says
January 5, 2018 at 8:50 amLove this idea! Is your template available for purchase?
Megan says
August 17, 2017 at 9:45 amI’ve been toying with the idea of getting into wood burning and you just solidified that decision with this adorable DIY! And IKEA?? That just makes me love them even more! I’d love to know what kind of burner you got and where. Love your blog!
Rachel Fisher says
March 30, 2017 at 4:48 pmLove this! Is the Silhouette cut file available?
Christine says
March 31, 2017 at 11:01 amHi Rachel! I’m glad you like this! Sorry, but the file isn’t available at this time. I’m looking to set up an online store later this year, so check back soon! :)
SG says
May 6, 2017 at 10:23 amWas wondering if your files are available to purchase yet? Would love to make some of this in time for Mothers day next weekend
Julie says
August 21, 2016 at 9:04 amI was wondering if you could email me your templates? It would be so cool to make this for my kitchen. I realize I would also need to buy the font. Thank you.
Bauerj8071@hotmail.com
stephanie scott says
June 23, 2016 at 2:56 pmcould you use the wood burning tool to cut your stencil out of the contact paper???
Terri says
May 5, 2016 at 1:09 pmLove your craft idea. Just finished 2nd batched of burning images on them. My question is: Should I paint the trivets with polyurethane before using them to set hot pots & dishes on them so that my images aren’t compromised?
Linda S says
August 12, 2015 at 10:37 amLove this. Just bought 10 sets of these trivets on Ikea.com, can’t wait until they get here!
Christine says
August 13, 2015 at 10:25 pmWahoo Linda! Have fun getting your burning on! :)
mk says
August 1, 2015 at 10:49 amwhat font did you use in the Silhouette Studio? These are adorable.
Christine says
August 1, 2015 at 10:02 pmThanks, MK! The font is called Wolfsbane. It’s one of my favorites!
CJ says
December 28, 2015 at 9:05 pmWhere can you get the Wolfsbane font ..I checked Dafont.com with no luck. Hope you can help. Thanks
Christine says
December 31, 2015 at 11:37 amHey CJ! It wouldn’t be on dafont because it’s not a free font. I purchased it as part of a monthly bundle (I think from The Hungry JPEG), but if you google it, you can probably find where it’s sold at now. Hope this helps!
Erlene says
July 25, 2015 at 4:06 amThese are so cool! I’m going to have to get make some.
Christine says
July 26, 2015 at 1:26 pmThanks so much, Erlene! They really did turn out super cute….and much better than the plain originals! :)
Lindi says
July 14, 2015 at 12:17 amI LOVE these! I’m so looking forward to doing some burning of my own like this! Pinning these for sure. You’re also one of my features at the Talented Tuesday party tomorrow. I hope you’ll stop by and say hi :)
Christine says
August 5, 2015 at 9:48 pmThanks so much, Lindi! I’ll be back over again! :)
Kim (TheKimSixFix) says
July 13, 2015 at 11:34 amThese are SO GREAT! I never would have thought to use a wood burning tool! So smart! I”m featuring your project this week on You’re Gonna Love It!!
Christine says
July 13, 2015 at 1:12 pmYay, thank you so very much, Kim! I appreciate it! :)
Cathy says
July 12, 2015 at 8:07 amHow very cool is this!! I have these trivets, but nothing else! :-) I am feeling inspired though!! Thank you so much for sharing this at MMM! See you tonight at 9pm EST! I really love this idea! :-)
Cathy
Christine says
July 13, 2015 at 10:51 pmThanks so much, Cathy! You should get to burning them then! ;)
Mari says
July 11, 2015 at 10:01 pmChristine this is an awesome project love it! Thanks for sharing a must save :)
Christine says
July 13, 2015 at 10:52 pmWhy thank you, Mari! I’m glad you enjoyed this too! :)
Kendra @ Prepping Parties says
July 11, 2015 at 9:42 pmI love this idea!! It’s so cute and would be such a great gift! Thanks for sharing! Stopping by from Blogger Brags – cheers! Kendra
Christine says
July 13, 2015 at 10:53 pmThanks so much, Kendra!
Hannah says
July 8, 2015 at 8:21 pmMichaels has trivets like these. They are on sale this week and end up being $0.60 each! Just an FYI for anyone without an IKEA :)
Amanda says
July 6, 2015 at 10:02 pmOh my gosh I love these! I think you made the right choice by burning these instead of painting. Now I think I need one of these burning tools…at least I should be able to easily talk my pyromaniac husband into it :)
Christine says
July 10, 2015 at 1:43 pmHaha, Amanda….our husbands sound a lot alike! :) Yes, the burning tool is pretty fun, and I’m happy I went ahead and got one with interchangeable tips. Now I can’t wait to try it out with other projects! I hope you enjoy it too….if your husband goes for it. ;)
Tiffany says
July 5, 2015 at 8:50 pmHi, Christine ~ I’m visiting from the Merry Monday Link Party. These trivets are so fun! We have an Ikea within an hour of us, but I haven’t had a chance to wander the aisles of wonder yet. I’m hoping to get there soon! I LOVE that you chose to use a wood burner on these rather than paint them. So creative! Thanks for sharing! Can’t wait to see what else you “cook” up with your new wood burner! :0)
Christine says
July 13, 2015 at 10:57 pmThanks so much, Tiffany! You should definitely hit up IKEA when you get a chance…..it is like heaven on Earth (only slightly exaggerating). ;) I’m sure you’d find lots of things to get your craft on with!
Rachael says
July 2, 2015 at 7:11 pmI just ordered the burning tool to start this project! I am so excited but can you tell me if you have the cut files available for download?
Thanks!!
Christine says
July 2, 2015 at 9:03 pmHey Rachael! Glad to hear you’re excited about doing this project too! Nope, I don’t have the cut files available yet…..I’m planning on opening up an online shop within the next several months, so they’ll be available once I get that going!
Joan says
October 9, 2015 at 10:51 amI am looking forward to your offering the cut files for download! I don’t have a Silhouette but know someone who does. I’m hoping she will print out the patterns for me. Any idea how soon this might be available?
Theresa says
July 2, 2015 at 3:29 pmThat is a great tutorial and I will be doing some of these for sure. I have a question about the Silhouette. I have used mine tons with the expensive vinyl because for the life of me, I can’t figure out what settings to put it on to cut contact paper. No matter where I set it, it seems to cut right thru the whole thing, not just the top layer. So it just leaves me with the outline of what I’m cutting. What settings do you use?
Christine says
July 2, 2015 at 9:06 pmHey Theresa! Yeah, I’ve always only used expensive vinyl for stencils too before this project, but I hated to waste it. This was the first time I tried cutting contact paper and I’m actually planning on sharing a whole post about making contact paper stencils. The settings I used were Blade: 1, Speed: 8, Thickness: 3, and they worked perfectly. Hope this helps you out! :)
Nancy says
July 2, 2015 at 9:14 amGreat project! I’m going to have to add this to my list of things to try!
Christine says
July 2, 2015 at 9:10 pmThanks so much, Nancy! I think you’ll have fun doing a project like this! :)
Chelc | Inside the Fox Den says
July 2, 2015 at 8:35 amYou make it look so easy! I’ve been eyeing a wood burner for a couple projects and this makes me want to get one so much more! I’ve been meaning to go on an IKEA run so I might need to pick these up when I go. Great hack!
Christine says
July 2, 2015 at 9:11 pmWhy thank you, Chelc! And it is really easy….promise! :)
Jennifer says
July 2, 2015 at 7:57 amI have not been to Ikea in years but I want to go now! It’s a bit of a drive for me but with a woodworking hubby I already have a wood burner on hand to give these a go. Now to just get the Silhouette without the husband knowing about it. ;)
Christine says
July 2, 2015 at 9:12 pmHaha Jennifer, oh how fun it is to try and sneak a fun purchase past the hubby. ;) Good luck with that, and have fun if you decide to give a project like this a go!
veronica lee says
July 1, 2015 at 11:46 pmWOW! Brilliant! Love the idea. I pinned this!
Christine says
July 1, 2015 at 11:49 pmThanks so much, Veronica! I’m glad you liked this! :)
Mel @ Melly Moments says
June 30, 2015 at 11:20 pmAs always, another fabulous projected you’ve shared! Love your creativity, Christine :) You always make it look so easy with your step-by-step tutorials and pictures! Thanks for the inspiration….can’t wait to get myself a woodburner to try out!
Christine says
July 1, 2015 at 8:01 pmWhy thank ya, Mel! You’re too sweet (as usual). And you’re not too shabby yourself there, friend! Have fun with your woodburner! :)
Pam @ The Birch Cottage says
June 30, 2015 at 11:02 pmThis is a really clever idea! I’ve seen designs stamped on cork before, but not burned. How did you like the results? I think they’re just too cute!
Christine says
July 1, 2015 at 8:03 pmThanks so much, Pam! I love how they turned out….they’re so much cuter now, and I’m so happy that they’re still practical and functional since we’re actually going to put these to use! Thanks for the kind words! :)
Emily @ Two Purple Couches says
June 30, 2015 at 11:12 amAwesome project, Christine!! I’d love to try wood burning sometime, though I admit that I am not a lover of hot tools (even getting food out of my oven makes me a little nervous). But your trivets turned out so cool I may need to get over it ;)
Christine says
July 1, 2015 at 8:04 pmThanks, Emily! Yeah, I know what you mean about being nervous with hot tools. I was really nervous about using this woodburner, but it actually wasn’t difficult, and I didn’t get the slightest burn….wahoo! As long as you pay attention to what part of the tool you grab and make sure you place it back on the holder when not in use, it’s pretty safe. Good luck if you decide to dive in! :)
Michelle from Weekend Craft says
June 30, 2015 at 6:36 amLove Love Love! I may have to go buy a wood burner now. Awesome job on the video!
Christine says
July 1, 2015 at 8:07 pmThanks, Michelle! The woodburner is quite amazing….I can’t wait to try more projects with it! And thanks for the kind words about the video….I’m trying to get all fancy and techy. ;)
Marie says
June 29, 2015 at 8:20 pmThese are fantastic! I am seriously in love with IKEA and I can’t wait to pick up some of these and make my own pretty trivets!
Christine says
July 1, 2015 at 8:08 pmThank you, Marie! I’m in love with IKEA now too! We don’t have one by where we live, but the Cincinnati store is just about 20 minutes from where my parents live….now I want to visit the store during every trip back home! :)
Kelly of Simply Kelly Designs says
June 29, 2015 at 1:30 pmThe idea to burn the designs onto the trivets is perfect Christine! They turned out so well. I think I might have to get a woodburner because I can think of really cool Christmas ornaments ideas to make with it! Thanks for the inspiration. You always have the best ideas.
Christine says
July 1, 2015 at 8:10 pmWhy thank you, Kelly! Yes, I think Christmas ornaments sound like a great idea! The woodburner really has the wheels a’spinnin’ in my mind now…..so many crafty possibilities! :)
Jamie says
June 29, 2015 at 10:02 amThese are adorable!
Christine says
July 1, 2015 at 8:08 pmThank you so much, Jamie! I’m really happy with how they turned out. :)