Every year for my Lumberjack’s birthday, I like to throw at least one handmade gift into the mix.
I’ve been experimenting with concrete ad nauseam over the past month: different consistencies, additives, molds, textures, dyes, etc., and after a significant number of practice runs, I decided to make him some leather-bottom concrete coasters.
The part I love most about this project is that no two coasters are alike! You never really know what the final design will look like until the block is pulled from the mold.
The exact coasters I made require the following supplies:
- 1 bag of fast-setting Quikrete Concrete
- 4 square molds
- 1 roll Saran Wrap
- 1 paint stir stick
- 1 medium-sized plastic mixing container
- 1 scrap piece of leather
- 1 tube of epoxy
Assembly process:
- Line each square mold with a section of Saran Wrap.
- Measure approximately 4 cups of Quikrete into the plastic mixing container and slowly add water until a pourable consistency is reached; stir until no lumps remain.
- Pour about 1 cup of concrete into each mold and gently tap the to release any air bubbles.
- Allow the concrete to cure overnight.
- Once dry, use the Saran Wrap to pull the concrete free from the mold. Carefully unwrap the coaster and smooth away any rough edges or loose pieces.
- Using the size of the coasters as a guide, cut four squares out of thick natural leather.
- Apply the epoxy to the leather pad and secure it to the underside of the coaster. Press firmly to secure in place and allow to cure overnight.
Serve immediately … they go quite well with beer!