What to do with Biltmore Wine Corks
One great solution for used wine corks? Bring them to Biltmore for recycling and give them a second life as new products—plus a donation (per cork) to the Frankie Lemmon Foundation for educational support of children with special needs.
If you're sentimental about corks from great bottles of wine or special events, here are some "corky" ideas from Molly Howell, one of our Biltmore floral design experts.
"Whether you consider yourself crafty or not," says Molly, "corks are a fun material to work with, and most of us already have a few lying around the house."
Dish It Up | Corky Keepsake | Very Wreath-While
Recycle Corks
Have more corks than you know what to do with? Bring them to Biltmore and we'll recycle them for you, both natural and synthetic.
Learn More
Dish It Up
Materials:
- 6 wine corks (per dish)
- Hot glue gun & glue sticks
- Raffia or ribbon
How to:
Lay three corks together side by side and glue together with hot glue. Make another set. After glue dries, tie the two sets firmly together with ribbon or raffia. Make enough sets for each dish on your buffet. Write or print the name of the dish on a plain index card and slip the card into the space above the ribbon between the wine corks. Place the card holder in front of the appropriate dish.
Tip: Include the list of ingredients, too—especially if the item includes allergens such as nuts or seafood.
Corky Keepsake
Materials:
- Wine corks (1per guest)
- Screw eyes and key rings (1 each per guest; available at most hardware or craft stores)
- Fine point permanent marker
- Beads, ribbons, etc. (optional for decoration)
How to:
Work 1 screw eye into each cork and attach 1 key ring to each eye. Write the date on the end of the cork and voilà! An instant keepsake of your special occasion for each guest.
Tip: If you want to commemorate an event with the specific corks of the wine that was served, begin collecting corks well ahead of time. Ask friends, restaurants, or bars if they'll save corks for you.
Very Wreath-While
Instead of the standard wine cork wreath in which a lot of corks are glued or wired over a wreath form, try this slightly quirky, easy-going craft that affirms your take on friendship and celebration!
Materials:
- Selection of wine corks (natural or synthetic)
- Large permanent marker
- Grapevine wreath (any size)
- Ribbon or raffia
- Hot glue (optional)
- 1 over-the-door wreath hanger
How to:
Using a permanent marker, write a word of affirmation such as dream, enjoy, love, wish, or hope on each wine cork. Tie one end of a short length of ribbon or raffia around the cork (may need to secure with hot glue) and tie the other end to the wreath. Repeat for each cork, using different lengths of ribbon to allow some corks to dangle and pull others snug against the wreath. Tie a loop of ribbon to the wreath and suspend it from the wreath door-hanger.
Tip: Place the wreath facing into a room if the words have personal meaning, or facing out if you want to share the message.
