Monopoly Wine Charms and Coasters

Replacing a worn board game missing pieces? Breathe new life into the old set and upcycle it into coasters and wine charms for game night!

Materials for the wine charms:

• 8 Game pieces total. 6 player pieces + 1 house + 1 hotel.
• 8 Wire Hoops, medium size.
• 42 Beads.  6 beads were used on each charm, primary colors on the playing pieces and a mixture of color and silver "spacer beads" on the House and Hotel charms.
• 3 Eyepins 3/4" length. One for the Thimble, House and Hotel charms.
• 5 Jump rings, 7mm diameter.  2 rings for dog charm, one ring each for car, hat, and train charms.
• Super glue.

Useful tools:

• Jewelry needle-nose pliers
• Wire cutters
• Drill
• 1/32" drill bit
• 3/64"  drill bit
• Masking tape
• Utility knife
• Small vise

For the car, hat and train, the construction was straightforward.

1. Drill a 3/64" hole to accommodate jump ring.
2. Open jump ring, thread through hole and close.  Open the jump ring by bending the ends sideways.  Bending sideways allows easy pinch to close and does not deform the ring.
3. Thread 3 beads onto hoop.
4. Thread the charm onto the hoop.
5. Thread the final 3 beads onto the hoop. 
6. Bend the end of the hoop a little past 90 degrees (~100 degrees), creating a hook to hold the hoop closed with a little tension.

The thimble charm's attachment is a bit difficult.  A hole centered on the thimbles top is the natural place.  However, the interior is too small to access with tools.  Solution- thread the eyepin from the inside-out.

1. Drill 3/64" hole to accommodate the eyepin.
2. Fold the eye of the eyepin over 90 degrees, forming a stop.
3. Thread the eyepin through the thimble, inside-out.
4. Pull snug with pliers.  Apply 5 minute epoxy inside the thimble, cementing the eye.  Hold tension while the epoxy hardens.  The cure time will be longer in the confined space.
5. Using pliers, roll the protruding end of the eyepin into a helix.
6. The helix can be collapsed into a new ring, similar to closing jump rings.  Cut the helix, leaving one complete turn.  Pinch together, forming a ring on the thimble's head.
7. Bead and assemble same as basic charm.

A collar is a natural connection for the dog charm.  No drilling required, just an extra ring.

1. Open a ring far enough to thread around dog's neck- the "collar".
2. Thread a second, closed ring onto the collar.
3. Close the collar.
4. Finish the charm as usual.

The boot charm has a natural place for connection- the bootstrap.  Drill out to attach.

1. Using the 3/64" bit, carefully drill out the bootstrap.  Work sideways to slowly clear the interior.
2. Finish the charm the usual way.

An eyepin centered on the side of each piece makes a good connection.

1. Cover the face with tape.
2. Drill a 1/32" hole through the tape at least halfway into the playing piece.
3. Insert the eyepin into the hole to estimate the length needed.  Cut the excess off the pin.
4. Use wire cutters to gently score the eyepin's shaft.
5. Squirt super glue along the shaft of the eyepin and insert into the charm.
6. The excess epoxy will harden into a clump.  Carefully clean off using a razor blade. Remove the tape, leaving a tidy attachment.
7. Finish the charms as usual.

Materials for the coasters:

• 8 Game property cards.
• Roll of cork backing, ~12" by 24".
• Felt fabric, same size as cork roll.
• Silicone epoxy. Flexible, waterproof, bonds to fabric and wood.
• Decoupage glue.
• Wood glue.
• Acrylic Varnish.

Useful tools:

• Scissors
• Spatula
• Non-permeable disposable paper
• Small paintbrush
• Disposable gloves

The coasters construction is straight forward.

1. Lay the property cards on disposable paper, face up.
2. Paint several layers of decoupage glue over the cards.  Allow each layer to dry before applying the next.
3. Arrange the cards on the rolled out cork board, estimating the amount of cork backings.  Plan a ~1/8" border on each card and allow further ~1/2" spacing between each card.
4. Remove the cards and spread flexible epoxy over the required cork. Use a spatula to spread evenly.
5. Press the felt onto the cork by hand.  Pile heavy books on the composite for several hours.
   • NOTE: many flexible epoxies cure by evaporation, the books will slow this down.
   • WARNING: follow the safety instructions of the epoxy to avoid dangerous vapors.
6. Cut approximate backing for each card. 
7. Adhere the cards to the cork with wood glue, press with heavy books while drying.
8. Trim the borders of your coasters cleanly.
9. Spray the coaster-tops with several layers of acrylic varnish, creating a non-tacky surface.

Enjoy your themed charms.  May upcycling bring you good luck next game night!