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Showing posts with label beverage coasters. Show all posts
Showing posts with label beverage coasters. Show all posts

Thursday

Why I Handcraft Every Game of Thrones Coaster Set

Trendycoasters brings Game of Thrones fans joy, happiness, and lasting memories.

I started my coaster business  on Etsy in October 2012. I started off with an idea after seeing a design of beer labels for Game of Thrones T-shirts.  I reached out to the person who designed the labels for the T-Shirts, and he was more than happy to let me use the designs on my coasters.
Handcrafted Game of Thrones Coasters
I truly believe in hand crafted. I have always since day one believed in having my coasters have a unique one of a kind look, and it can only be achieved by me personally hand brushing every finish on every coaster I sell. It gives each one of my coasters that one of a kind unique like a fingerprint look you won't find in any retail store.

As my business grows I still believe in hand crafting each coaster myself. My one bedroom apt no longer feels like an apt with work tables, supplies, and etc in every available open space. My neighbors who peek through my windows probably wonder what is going on inside my apt with twenty work tables strategically placed everywhere in my apartment.

It has always been important to me to use high quality products. Of course, I could save a penny here, and there by not using OEM ink, and photo paper, but the results of using OEM makes a huge difference in the quality of my Game of Thrones coasters.

I tried generic ink once, and the color vibrance, and quality difference was huge. The ink store tried to tell me differently. Finally I took them a set of prints from their ink, and OEM. I think they finally realized why I preferred OEM ink, and they never questioned me after that.

I use high quality premium glossy photo paper. It may not seem like it would make a difference, but it is night and day compared to lower end photo paper, or even just using regular printer paper.

I only use quality felt button protectors on the bottom of my coasters. I want the felt to protect your furniture for a very long time, and it is worth the extra cost to ensure lasting protection for my customers.

I know using all these quality products are totally worth it every time I receive a call, email, feedback, or review telling me how much they love my coasters, and beer labels.

I look forward to many more happy, joyful, and satisfied Game of Thrones fans in the coming years. Thank you again to all of my customers who have made my dreams come true.

Love,
Trendycoasters

Tuesday

Game of Thrones Beer Coasters

Are you looking for that unique one of a kind gift for a Game of Thrones fan?  Why not a set of Game of Thrones beer coasters featuring the five main houses Lannister, Targaryen, Nightswatch, Stark, and Baratheon?


Wednesday

How To Create Your Own Ceramic Tile Drink Coasters

I am always being asked how I make my ceramic tile coasters.  I will give you a step by step process to make the perfect ceramic tile coasters.  You can also watch my video tutorial on How to make ceramic tile coasters on Youtube.

The first thing is to find some images, or photos that you wish to turn into a coaster.  Once you have some images of them on your computer you are ready for the next step.

You want to visit an image resizer online.  This is the image resizer I use to resize all my images to 1200x1200 pixels which is four inches by four inches.

You will want to click on On Your Own.  

Click on the grey Choose button for the file to upload.

Fill in the box for the exact height and width to be 1200 by 1200 pixels

Click the grey OK box near the bottom.

Once the image uploads right click on the image anywhere outside the crop box.  Choose Save Image.

Choose a place to save, and name your file.

You are now ready to print your image.

Find your image on your computer, and right click.

Choose Print.

It should than let you choose how to print.  I select 4x6 picture format, and I uncheck the box to fit picture.  By unchecking the box it will allow the picture to actually print at 4x4 instead of 4x6.

I highly suggest using HP Glossy Photo Paper Q2509A (UPC 808736472630) ($20 for 100 sheets) which doesn't get stupid air bubbles when gluing them to the tiles.

Once it is finished printing I would cut them with a paper cutter for a professional looking cut (I use a Fiskars paper cutter), or you can use scissors.  My paper cutter was around $20, and well worth the investment.

The next step is applying Mod Podge Glossy (UPC 028995112010) ($7-$8)  to the ceramic tile (about 15 cents each).  I use a regular paint brush ($5) , or you can use a foam paint brush to apply the glue evenly on the tile.  I personally like the hand brushed look.

It is now time to take the 4x4 picture, and paste it to the tile.  Slide it around so the border on each side is even, and let dry for about 15-20 minutes.

Once it finishes drying you can apply a top coat of Mod Podge to the picture to give your coaster a glossy finish.

Let it dry for an hour, or two.

You will now apply Patricia Nimocks (UPC 028995003073) ($10-$11) clear acrylic sealer by spraying a light coat over the coasters.  Wait 10-20 minutes and apply another coat.  This stuff magically removes the stickiness, and protects the coaster with a strong water resistant sealant.

After the second coat dries it is time to apply the felt buttons (UPC 743488634175) ($4-$5 for 32 felt buttons) on each of the bottom corners of the coasters.

You now have completed making your own ceramic tile coasters.



You can find all the ceramic coasters I make on my Etsy shop if you want to take the easier route, and just order them already finished.