How to Treat Hobby Lobby Cork So It Is Earring Worthy

[@kendrairvin3729]

Marilyn you are a GREAT teacher. Your instructions are super easy to follow not intimidating at all. This was a no brainer subscribe for me!

[@MakingwithMarilyn]

Thank you so much Kendra!!! Your comment made my day!!! I appreciate it very much.

[@mobilemimix3]

Thanks for posting this. I love working with cork for earrings and this sounds and looks like a great idea.

[@MakingwithMarilyn]

Thank you! I have a couple later videos with some other cork fabrics Hobby Lobby started carrying more recently. Thanks again!

[@maureenmullarkey3609]

I just went there yesterday and bought some and then found your video...Thank you so much I can't wait to try your process. ❤️

[@MakingwithMarilyn]

Thank you!

[@Loopie131]

Thank you for this tip. I made a cellphone case for my niece and the fabric is keeping its shape!

[@MakingwithMarilyn]

That's a great use of the cork fabric I never even thought of:) Thank you for the comment!!!

[@user-ip4bt8ws2m]

if the cork gets wet, wouldn't the glue wash away which would leave it fraying in the future? definitely wouldn't suggest wearing them while in the shower or while swimming, just imagining getting caught in the rain

[@MakingwithMarilyn]

I was really curious what would happen after reading your question, so I took a piece of the cork I coated with stiffener months ago and put it under running water for several seconds. It's been about 5 minutes and the earring isn't sticky or anything. If I rub the back of the earring very hard with my finger, I can feel a slight tack. I assume it's been long enough since I used the stiffener that it has kinda cured. I agree, I wouldn't swim or shower in them, but I wouldn't be too concerned with a little rain. Thanks again for the question.

[@whiting1044]

I found this material a couple of months ago and started using it, but had been trying to find a fix for the frays. I SOOOO appreciate your helpful tips on this! I'm going to start using this homemade stiffener right away!!! Thanks Marilyn!! - Ang

[@MakingwithMarilyn]

Ang, so glad you saw the video and found it helpful. Using the stiffener really does make a big difference and it is so inexpensive to make. Thanks again for watching and for your comment!

[@madelinea.8596]

I just use iron on vinyl on back of my cork or faux leather and they cut and look great.

[@MakingwithMarilyn]

Sounds like another great option! I will try that soon. Thanks for watching and your comment!

[@tyrob5627]

Awesome idea thanks for sharing can't wait to try

[@MakingwithMarilyn]

The stiffener is good, but I have discovered I really like to adhere two pieces of this together with heat n bond as well! Thank you so much for watching and commenting!!!

[@user-ip4bt8ws2m]

Love the mirror sticker! great idea

[@MakingwithMarilyn]

Thank you!

[@lesliek.howard572]

Thanks for the tips. Was looking at cork leather and decided to find out more about it here on YT before purchasing it. Glad I found you. Question: Will the Explore Air 2 cut cork leather?

[@MakingwithMarilyn]

I have worked with 2 types. One is just a thin layer of cork and the Explore Air 2 would definitely cut it. The other is backed with (bonded to) fabric. So, if you have had good luck cutting fabric on your cutting machine, then I assume it would, but I have never owned that cutting machine to know from experience. If you try it, let me know how it goes.

[@lesliek.howard572]

@@MakingwithMarilyn Will do. Just ordered some online. Can't wait to give it a try. I host a women's conference and I think the earrings will be a smash. I pray they will sell well. Will use your fabric stiffener technique.

[@craftnm7225]

Great idea! Thank you.

[@MakingwithMarilyn]

Thank you.

[@crystalbraxton6055]

Are you able to then apply any sort of decal with heat transfer on the front or would the heat press activate the glue?

[@MakingwithMarilyn]

I think it would be fine since htv doesn't have to be pressed for too long, but I am not sure. If you happen to try it, let me know how it comes out. I have also used two pieces of this cork fabric and pressed them together with heat n bond before cutting them in my Cricut. I would worry a little bit about the heat n bond seeping out though. Thanks for watching!

[@shelasers]

My daughter worked for springfield leather for several years. She kept me stocked up. I sure wish she still worked there lol.

[@MakingwithMarilyn]

I absolutely love that place!!! Thanks for watching.

[@lynnshatford7429]

I saw this cork fabric today looking for the leather remnants you were talking about. I wonder if this process will work on like the faux leather since they can be a bit flimsy as well. I will be trying this idea when I go and purchase some cork fabric. Thank you!

[@MakingwithMarilyn]

Great idea! I will try it also. Thanks for the comment.

[@MakingwithMarilyn]

BTW, did you find a nice bag of leather remnants?

[@lynnshatford7429]

No and I looked everywhere and the one person I asked looked at me and had no clue what I was asking. Did find a remnant of black leather for like 3.66 marked down but not any bags. I will go back and look when I have more time.

[@MakingwithMarilyn]

Oh, that's sad! You can buy it online from Hobby Lobby, but it is nice to pick it out yourself. In my HL, it is in the back half of the store in an aisle near jewelry making supplies. I sure hope you find it when you go back, but glad you found a remnant of black leather to play with:)

[@jessiegibson9023]

Good video thanks ❤

[@serigabe6452]

Very informative. Thanks 😊

[@MakingwithMarilyn]

Thank you!!!

[@valerieleblanc6368]

I haven't tried this yet but definitely on my to do list. Do you use a sealer on the earrings before you put them together?

[@MakingwithMarilyn]

No, just the fabric stiffener before cutting them. Thanks for watching!

[@flossingdebi]

For the cork fabric that was not treated, what setting did you cut it on?

[@MakingwithMarilyn]

For untreated cork fabric (just plain fabric off the bolt and not doubled up), I would use faux leather paper thin. If you need to increase the pressure after doing a small test cut, then change the default setting to more.

[@milliemacphee9351]

Well done

[@MakingwithMarilyn]

Thank you.

[@49lucky]

I use my scan n cut to cut all my earrings, but when I get my faux leather or cork mine is already kinda stiff.?????

[@MakingwithMarilyn]

That's great b/c the stuff I bought from Hobby Lobby was very limp. The cork that I bought from Springfield Leather was ready to be cut though.

[@1955dmb]

Thanks so much for this wonderful idea! It's 2022 now and Hobby Lobby no longer has it's fabric on sale at all times like they used to, so I have not bothered to shop there in a while. But I did check on-line to see if they have cork because I plan to make small zipper pouches to sell. I will go in next week when the fabric is back on sale and maybe ask for a sample but maybe you can help me. Have you used this cork for anything other than earrings? In making pouches, I will install a zipper so I need a cork that will not split at the seams or folds. Do you have an opinion about whether or not the thickness and quality of backing would make their cork suitable for bag making? I was also wondering if I couldn't paint it to make contrasting colors with permanent fabric dye. Or even do some artsy painting on it or stamp it, or white wash it. I'm full of ideas after watching your video. I love getting around expensive supplies. I have found some beautiful cork, but when you want to sell things, you have to find deals or work with less expensive products! I love how you made this work with the 'fabric stiffener'! Way to go!

[@MakingwithMarilyn]

I am in my craft room checking out the cork fabric. I am bending it all the way over and it does not crack. And the backing is really very good. I am watching a sewing tutorial and I think I will sew something with it. Also, I live so far from HL that I haven't been in one for months, so I wasn't aware that they no longer have the discount on it at all times. Thanks so much for mentioning that!!! The other cork fabrics that they sell in small bags are quite thin and do not have the quality of this one.

[@1955dmb]

@@MakingwithMarilyn I think around the same time HL discontinued the 40% off coupon, they also discontinued the normal 30% off fabric. Now the fabric is off and on sale every other week. I learned the hard way. Had a bunch of fabric cut and noticed no discount on the slip. But anyway... thanks so much for testing out the cork fabric for me!! If the cork is durable enough to support a zipper installation, it should be ok for the rest of the pouch as well. I ordered cork through Amazon and it described it as perfect for earrings, handbags, etc. But it sounds like what you described being sold in small bags at HL. It had the characteristics of paper and can't be used in the way I would like to use it. What a shame because it is actually gorgeous. I'm going to buy a few inches like what you have tomorrow and really test it out and then go next week when it's on sale and get a yard. I'm anxious to see how it takes fabric dye or paint. This is going to be fun!! Thanks again!!

[@MakingwithMarilyn]

@@1955dmb please let me know your thoughts. I would like to make a small tote out of it but I am not a very experienced sewer.

[@1955dmb]

@@MakingwithMarilyn So I went and got my sample. The price has gone up to $29.99 which will make it $21.00 when it's 30% off. I picked up a sample and sewed it using upholstery thread and it seems to work perfectly when I doubled it over and made a seam. I also painted with permanent ink on it and the coverage is wonderful. I believe JoAnn's has cork fabric too and you can usually get better sales or use a 50% off coupon if it isn't already on sale. I'm going to get a sample there next, but I'm pretty happy with this one from HL.

[@MakingwithMarilyn]

@@1955dmb That’s great! What type of permanent ink did you use? Does the weave or pattern still show through? I would love to try that.

[@jenniferreinink2428]

What cricut blade did you use for the cork earrings?

[@MakingwithMarilyn]

I used the fine point blade that came with my machine. It does a wonderful job on cork. Thanks for watching!

[@cherylcox6690]

I know this video is quite old, but, .... if you use the DIY fabric stiffener, can you still but an Iron On on the back - either glitter iron on or foil iron on?

[@MakingwithMarilyn]

I feel pretty confident it would be fine, but am not totally sure. If you try it, let me know:) I often put this cork fabric together back to back with HeatNBond and then cut through the 2 layers at one time. Then you wouldn't need to back them with iron on. Thanks so much for watching!!!

[@adwhammy]

@@MakingwithMarilyn Hi Marilyn. I make cork earrings also with 2 cork layers back to back. When you cut through the 2 layers with the cricut, do those edges *feel* smooth, in addition to looking smooth? I am thinking about getting a cricut or a laser -- I'm weighing the pros + cons of each. Thanks for any input you can offer.

[@jameyames3540]

What material do you select on maker?

[@MakingwithMarilyn]

I used the shimmer leather setting. Thanks for watching.

[@jameyames3540]

Can I use modge podge?

[@MakingwithMarilyn]

I haven't tried it, but I would think it would work. However, I would only use one coat since it is thicker than my diy mixture. If you try it, I would try just a small square of your fabric first to see if it work. That way you do not ruin a large amount of fabric if it does not. I have so much cork fabric that I would be happy to try it and let you know.

[@MakingwithMarilyn]

I added mod podge to the back of some of the cork fabric, so I will try it out tomorrow.

[@MakingwithMarilyn]

I tried one coat of mod podge and it worked okay, but it left the back side pretty rough. I think it's just a little thicker than ideal. You could add some water to mod podge, though, and I think it would work just fine.

[@barbaralong5209]

Great way to save a lot of money.

[@MakingwithMarilyn]

Yes it is. So glad I learned about it and could share it. Thanks Barbara!