9. Terrazzo Coasters with Jesmonite

Jesmonite terrazzo coasters bring vibrant, mid-century Memphis design into a modern, sophisticated home accessory.

  • What This Idea Means: Playful geometric luxury made using lightweight, eco-resin composite materials.
  • Materials Needed:
    • Jesmonite AC100 liquid and base powder kit
    • Liquid pigment dispersions (Black, Ochre, Terracotta, Olive)
    • Round or hexagonal silicone coaster molds
    • Plastic mixing cups, spatulas, and wet-and-dry sandpaper (Grits 80, 120, 240, 400)
    • Acrylic or food-grade wax sealer
  • How to Make It:
    1. Making the Chips: Mix a small amount of Jesmonite, add pigment, pour onto a flat plastic tray in a paper-thin layer, and let cure for 30 minutes. Break the sheet into colorful flakes and crushed chips.
    2. Main Pour: Mix a fresh batch of white or neutral base Jesmonite. Stir in your colored terrazzo chips until evenly distributed throughout the slurry.
    3. Molding: Pour the mixture into silicone molds, tapping edges firmly to eliminate air voids. Allow to set for 1–2 hours.
    4. Sanding: Unmold the coasters. Sand surfaces under a trickle of running water with coarse 80-grit paper to reveal the colorful embedded terrazzo chips. Progress through finer grits until completely smooth.
    5. Sealing: Dry thoroughly and apply two coats of clear water-resistant acrylic sealer.
  • Tips & Variations:
    • Tip: Wet sanding prevents dust and keeps sandpaper from clogging up during finishing.
    • Variation: Use metallic bronze or copper flakes alongside your terrazzo chips for subtle reflective shine.