It’s time to upgrade from those paper coasters you have accumulated over the years to these luxurious DIY gilded agate coasters. While some may be willing to spend a fortune on a set of these, you don’t have to. Follow these instructions to make your very own coasters for less than $30 and a half hour of your time!
I love stone home accessories, but I don’t have the kind of funding you need for such luxurious pieces. On some sites, sets of agate coasters cost almost $200! But, with a little creativity, I was able to make something similar for less than $30. Now I can add a bit of glam to any neutral room without breaking the bank.
Materials: 2 to 4 agate slices (approximately 3″ to 4″ in diameter), gold acrylic paint or gold leaf and gold leaf adhesive, a small artist’s brush, rubber bumper pads
1. Clean your slices with a damp cloth to remove excess dust. Prop up your agate coaster on a small cup or bowl to allow 360-degree access to all edges. Using a small brush, pick up a layer of paint and gently brush the color on the raw edge of the agate slice. Continue to paint the entire edge, using short strokes. This will help prevent excess paint from spilling onto the top or bottom of the agate coaster. Allow the paint to dry for 10 to 15 minutes before adding another layer of paint.
2. Once the second coat is dry, decide which surface you prefer to use faceup and turn it over. Carefully press the adhesive rubber bumper pads to the bottom of the slice. I placed two pads on each end of the stone; depending on the shape and size of the slice, you may need three or four pads.
3. If you want a true gilded effect, follow steps 1 and 2 from these DIY instructions to try your hand at gold leafing.
4. Time to decorate! These gilded agate coasters are a luxury update to an often-overlooked home accessory!
If coasters aren’t your thing, search for smaller agate slices to make some showstopping fridge magnets. All you need is a dab of E6000 glue and a magnet to display your save-the-dates with style. If you can’t get enough agate in your home, try adding a slice to a jar or a jewelry box. The possibilities are endless!
For more DIY home decor ideas from Samantha, go to The Brunette One.
