Recycled Art: Crafts with Corks & Cages

As responsible citizens of Planet Earth, we believe it’s our responsibility to do our part to give back to the land that gives us so much. Champagne would not even exist without the 100% sustainable and recyclable cork enclosure!

Some of us save corks and wine bottles as souvenirs of wonderful times. Sometimes we display them as trophies of celebration. Other times we throw them away without even a thought. So next time you are ready to discard the remnants of a good time, try showing mother earth a little love instead.

How? It’s the age-old dilemma of every Champagne fan: what to do with all those leftover caps, corks and cages? Well, here at fatcork, we recycle them into adorable decor. Want to get in on the fun? Pour yourself a glass of bubbles and get crafting!

Supplies: Needle nose pliers, Champagne metal cap, and cage

Step 1: Untwist the bottom wire of the metal cage and unthread from the legs. Straighten.
Step 2: Squeeze the top of the wire legs so the cap doesn’t fall off, and flare the bottom of the legs so it can stand on its own.
Step 3: Shape the bottom wire into the form of a chair back (heart, loop, or get creative!).
Step 4: Twist one side of the bottom wire to attach it to a leg. Repeat.
Step 5: Straighten the back and sit upright. Bon appétit, dolls and mythical creatures!

Supplies: Metal caps from Champagne corks, glue gun, 10mm x 3mm magnets.

Step 1: Using a glue gun, add a dollop of glue to one side of the magnet.
Step 2: Glue the magnet to the center of the unadorned side of the metal cap.
Step 3: Let glue set per glue gun instructions.
Step 4: Place on fridge or metal surface! Très chic!

Supplies: Used Champagne corks, Xacto knife or utility knife, Sandpaper (if cork bottoms aren’t flat), printed cards

Step 1: Use sandpaper to flatten the bottom of the cork so it can stand on a flat surface.
Step 2: With your knife, cut a 1/4” deep “X” into the top of the cork.
Step 3: Place the printed card into the slit.

Not into crafts? We have you covered. We will take your leftover corks! No plastic, glass, or synthetic corks, please.

We send all used corks to ReCork, North America’s largest natural wine cork recycling program. If you live locally, start collecting your corks and drop them off next time you stop by the cave, and we will take care of the rest. There are also lots of drop-off locations around the country.

Did you know that by recycling your wine corks you help to replace environmentally harmful materials by replacing them with eco-friendly, natural, and sustainable alternatives?

No matter if you get crafty, recycle, or throw them away. You are already a good samaritan just by purchasing Champagne and wine with natural cork enclosures. By doing so, you promote cork harvesting, which helps to extend the lifespan of cork trees and supports the conservation of over 6.7 million acres of cork forests. Cork trees help absorb carbon and keep our air clean!

Happy sipping and saving the world! You’re basically a hero.

Cheers!
Team fatcork