Make it Monday: Agate Coasters & Nightlight

Today I’m highlighting a craft project I completed this weekend! I’ve seen agate nightlights and coasters everywhere. I’ve had my eye on the set of coasters pictured above (from Anthropologie), and I felt inspired to try and make my own coasters and a nightlight.

First step was gathering my supplies. I found the agate slices on Amazon, then I was on the hunt for gold leaf for the edges. I ended up buying liquid gold leaf from my local craft store, and it was so easy to work with. I went with gold, but they also had copper and silver. I also needed a paint brush with a small tip, a glue gun, and glue sticks. For the coasters, I also got a sheet of adhesive rubber bumper pads.

Next I needed a nightlight. Since it needs to have as much flat space as possible to hold the agate slice, I didn’t feel comfortable ordering online because I wanted to see the nightlight in person. I ended up finding a great option at Target, and after some searching I also found the same one on Amazon for the same price.

The next step was to paint the gold leaf edge on the agate slice. This was a fairly quick process and the slice only needed one coat. It has a strong odor – it smells like a bunch of open paint pens – so if you’re going to do this project, work in a well ventilated area.

For the slices I wanted to be coasters, I let the gold leaf dry, then added rubber bumper pads to the underside of the coasters. For the agate slice I wanted to turn into a nightlight, I skipped the bumper pads and moved on to the next steps.

Liquid Leaf

Finished edge

Rubber bumper pads

After I let the agate slice dry for about an hour, I was ready to glue it to the nightlight. The glue gun was heated and ready, so I put a generous amount of hot glue on the nightlight then firmly pressed the agate slice on the nightlight. I held it tight for about 30 seconds, then let it sit for about a half hour to firm up before plugging it in.

I’m so pleased with how it turned out. I love the look of it on its own and with the back light.

The coasters or the nightlight projects could be a great activity for a grown-up birthday, shower (and could serve as both the activity and the favor!), or a girls’ glamping weekend. Or, you could give a nightlight or set of coasters as a hostess gift, wedding shower present, or house warming gift.

Party on!
JW