Cigar Band Table

Do you or a friend smoke cigars?

Do you keep the bands, and keep looking for something to do with them?

Try this.

Step 1: Required Materials

For this project, you will need:

-A pencil
-A ruler
-Decoupage Glue
-A few cheap paint brushes
-A table of some kind
-A sheet of cardboard or canvas
-Cigar Bands


Special note about the table: 
The table I chose came with the center cut out and a glass insert over it. It was an old table a friend was giving away, making it a great project.
I would recommend this style of table before anything else. Craigslist usually has a pretty good selection of cheap tables with glass centers.

If you have an old, normal table you want to try this on, I would suggest pasting the cigar bands directly to the table, and purchasing glass to rest on top of it.

Step 2: 1st Step: Preparing Materials

I chose canvas for two reasons:

- If the table broke/no longer fit I could remove the canvas and either put it inside another table, or frame it and hang it up.

- The Canvas board was sturdier than normal cardboard.

For the first part of this project, you must design how you want your cigars laid out.
Even the most random patterns in cigar art usually have an idea behind them.

You can see here that I had a design in mind when I started the table.

I measured the space in my table, cut the cardboard using a box cutter to fit, and used a ruler to measure out precise lines for my pattern.  

Step 3: Second Step: Begin the Gluing!

Dip your paintbrush in decoupage glue and 'paint' a little bit of glue onto the back of a band.
Try overlapping bands to get a "weave" effect.
Remember: Not all bands have to be fully visible. I prefer to have no white space showing, so I covered it all up.

Don't be afraid to over lap lines either. Once you are ready, you can cut back bands to get the sharp look you may want.

Step 4: Finished Product and Coating the Bands

Once you have glued all the bands down, go back through with a larger, but still cheap, brush dipped in decoupage glue.

For this project I used Mod Podge. Mod Podge dries clear once applied, and helps protect the bands.

Spread the Mod Podge around evenly, try not to let it clump up or bubble up any where.
Let it dry for about an hour, then apply another coat.
I put 3 coats on total.

Once it dries, you can place your picture into the table, and place the glass over it.

Now you have a unique and inexpensive end table for your bar/smoking room/whatever.

This isn't limited to tables - I've also created ashtrays, magnets, drink coasters, and framed pictures. Be creative!

For more projects like this, check my blog at: Manly Crafts