clayandginger:

Here’s my dad at work making a wine cork trivet.  As you can see, he has quite a shop with hefty tools.  He first figures out the size frame he needs by assembling corks in a little cardboard frame.  Then he makes the frame and glues the corners together.  These photos show some of the next steps.

1. apply a piece of plywood to the bottom and use a nail gun to attach it to the frame

2. Photo showing the frame turned right side up and the corks that will eventually go inside.

3. Remove dust from the frame using a special cloth.

4. Put polyurethane on the frame using a clean rag.  He uses multiple coats, dries each coat, and sands each too.

The wood frame is made from spalted maple with beautiful black lines in the wood grain.  Wait til you see the finished product!