CC: Collage-a-Coaster

This is a great idea! Hanging the coaster on a wall is certainly one thing that can be done with it, but let me suggest another: turning it into a coaster that can be used as a coaster. There's more than one way to do that, but let suggest this: give the coaster a nice thick finish with multiple coats (I think three would do) of clear acrylic spray. The one I like is Krylon, which is available in the spray paint section of crafts stores such as Michael's. It comes in multiple types: matte, satin, glossy, etc. The one I prefer, because it allows the clearest possible view of one's artwork, is the glossiest of all, the one called Clear Glaze. (The full name of it is Triple-Thick Crystal Clear Glaze.) I use it on most of my postcards. I especially like it because it doesn't interfere in any way with ink (such as rubber stamp ink or markers or whatever) or paint.

The only mild disadvantage it has is this: if you have collage elements that are thin paper with a prominent background behind them, the spray may make the paper somewhat translucent, so that the background shows through a bit. The thinner your coats, the less likely it is to happen. (And it doesn't have to be a disadvantage, of course: sometimes it can look very cool.) I don't want to get too complicated in this comment, but I have come up with a good solution for the translucency problem: if you're interested in hearing about that solution, either ask in this thread or drop me a line, and I'll tell you what it is. =smile=

OOh those coasters are so cool! I love this idea of making usable art for seeing every day! Maybe clear UTEE would work as a coating?

I'd be interested in hearing your solution. I'm going to the States on Wed and will be doing a bit of shopping for crafts.

I used UTEE and I like the look. Certainly wouldn't use it for a coaster, though - all the booze would run like off a duck's back :)