Fun Things To Do With Old Wine Corks

by Aaron Dolman April 3, 2022

What to Do with Your Old Wine Corks – 6 Fun and Easy Ideas

We all love a good bottle of wine—but what about the corks left behind? Instead of tossing them in the bin, why not give them a second life? While not everyone has the time (or patience) for complex DIY projects, there are plenty of simple, creative ways to reuse your old wine corks—and have fun while doing it!

Here are six quick and creative ideas to get you started:

1. Wine Cork Candles

One of the simplest and most effective ways to reuse wine corks is to turn them into mini candles. They’re a brilliant conversation starter at dinner parties or romantic evenings.

How to make them:

Place your old wine corks in a sealed mason jar filled with acetone alcohol.
Let them soak for about a week.
Once fully soaked, remove and allow them to dry completely.
Place each cork upright in a glass tealight holder (taller than the cork).
Carefully light one edge of the cork—they’ll burn like small candles, adding a warm, rustic charm to your evening.

Safety Tip: Always supervise and use caution when lighting cork candles indoors. Never leave them unattended.

2. Wine Cork Stamps (Fun for Kids!)

Want a fun, creative craft for the kids? Wine cork stamps are perfect—but adult supervision is a must for the carving part.

How to do it:

Using a small knife, carefully carve shapes into one end of each cork—stars, hearts, letters, or even initials.
Once shaped, dip the carved end into ink or paint, then press onto paper.
You’ll get charming homemade stamps for greeting cards, notebooks, or art projects.

Let the kids go wild stamping while you sit back with another glass of vino.

3. Decorative Lettering or Monograms

Monograms have become a trendy home décor feature—but why buy one when you can craft your own using wine corks?

Steps:

Choose a letter template (first name, family name, etc.) and trace it onto sturdy cardboard.
Arrange the corks upright within the shape to plan your layout.
Use a hot glue gun to carefully glue the corks together along the outline.
Optional: Mount the cork letter on a board, wood panel, or frame for extra polish.

Perfect for wine rooms, kitchen walls, or cozy basements!

4. Wine Cork Time Capsule

Create a cork memory jar to celebrate all those special wine moments.

How it works:

Each time you open a bottle, write the date, occasion, and maybe who you shared it with on the cork.
Collect your corks in a clear glass vase or decorative jar.
Bonus: Place a pillar candle in the center for a cozy, centerpiece-style display.

It’s a heartfelt way to relive anniversaries, celebrations, and memorable evenings.

5. Cork Feature Wall (for the Ambitious!)

If you're feeling inspired and don’t mind a little extra effort, consider creating a feature wall from your old corks.

How to start:

Choose a wall or small section (a backsplash, art panel, or hallway strip works great).
Arrange the corks in neat rows, patterns, or mosaic styles.
Secure with strong adhesive (hot glue or construction glue).

It’s time-consuming, yes—but the result is a stunning, eco-friendly accent wall full of character and texture.

6. Just Get Creative

Whether you're adding corks to DIY picture frames, using them as plant markers in the garden, or turning them into quirky keychains or coasters—the only limit is your imagination.

Final Thoughts

Next time you pop open a bottle of wine, think twice before tossing the cork. Whether it becomes a candle, a keepsake, or part of your home décor, your old wine corks can live on—and even spark a little creativity along the way.

Got a unique idea of your own? Share it with us—we’d love to see how you're reusing your corks!