Tumbled Tile Coasters

This craft idea is super-easy and makes a really great gift for a new homeowner. If you already have stamps like the scrappers and crafters I know, this will usually cost you no more than $15.

Stamping
Choose a few stamps and carefully plan them to make sure that they fit on the tile. This works best with clear acrylic stamps so that you can see through the block to the tile surface. It's doable with wood-backed stamps, but a little more difficult.

It is absolutely essential that you use a permanent solvent ink like Staz-On. Other inks will bleed through the stone then smear and run when the coaster gets wet. I used Timber Brown, but most colors show up beautifully on the tiles.

The tiles are generally sold by the square foot which means that they will typically come in packages of nine. This makes for two sets of coasters and one tester tile. Carefully inspect the tiles first because some will have large pits and holes that make for bad stamping. Unfortunately, my set came with three of these really "hole-y" tiles. Use these tiles for test stamping and sealing. Another tip: very ornate and detailed stamps will not work well since the tile is never completely flat and the porous nature of the stone makes for some mild blurring of edges.

When you stamp, make sure that the stamper is thoroughly coated with ink (remember, this is a very porous surface and it will draw the ink right in!) and make sure to press down really hard and even rock and wiggle the stamp for full coverage. Leave the ink to dry for at least twenty minutes after application.

Sealing
The Staz-On ink is permanent, but I sealed mine for some added wear. I used matte finish Mod Podge and applied a very thin coat. I brushed on the tiny amount shown below, then quickly dabbed it with a dry foam brush to take off any excess and to make sure that the seal didn't show any brushstrokes.

Take care not to fill in the natural pits and holes with Mod Podge as this will make for a very artificial-looking seal, not to mention globs of goo in the stone.

After drying, the stones should retain their natural appearance as stone without too much gloss or extra sealant.

Finally, I placed self-adhesive cork circles to the four corners of each coaster to avoid scratching the table surface. All told, this nifty gift took less than an hour to create!

Materials
tiles / tumbled travertine from home depot
stamps / assorted from joann fabrics brand
ink / staz-on - timber brown
sealant / mod podge matte finish