CAN't Plan for Christmas too Early

One last submission to the Iron Crafter Competition. Tin can lid ornaments.

I saw these in the first (I think) issue of Mary Jane's Farm magazine. My Mom has the issue.

When I decided to make these I looked on the internet for instructions. Not much to be found. The only thing I found was what appeared to be a scan from an old craft book (say sixties or seventies probably - it had instructions for making an entire Christmas tree from fringe tin cans). So, I winged it.

These are pretty simple. I didn't make a pattern for these I just make them up as I went a long.

Start making cuts that divide the lid into quarters without cutting all the way through it. Make as many additional cuts as you want for the segments of your decorations. Then it is entirely up to you. You can fringe it or you can just shape it.

One thing the old book said that I found true is quick snips cause the tin to curl and slow snips tend to lie much flatter.

Use a pliers to curl and shape the segments.

If you want to stack layers just use a good adhesive. If these are intended for indoors only, hot glue will be fine but if you think you want to hang them outside (I want to use them for outdoor decorations this winter) use a more durable adhesive.

Drill a hole or use a nail to punch a hole for the hanger.

A set of three tin snips (one for straight cuts, one for right turn cuts, and one for left turn cuts( can be bought at Walmart for under fifteen dollars.

Use proper safety precautions. Leather gloves are often recommended when working with tin.It is also wise to make sure your tetanus shot is up to date.

While I am showing what can be done with can lids here are some recent juice can lid gift tags that I made.

And while I am at it a some favorites from the distant past.

The first one. These are made with lids for juice concentrate, double=sided tape, and microbeads.




For my sister A.

I made these for my sister R, the one to the right is supposed to be taken as a joke, not literally.


I made these two for my MIL. The teapot says cherish and the two teacups say share.



 




Check out my collection of Tin Can Crafts for inspiration!!

"Oh Say CAN You See" --Fourth of July Candles

You've seen my tin can candles before but I think they are perfect for the Iron Crafter Competition and don't they make great Fourth of July candles?

Here is how to make them: 

Tin Can Candles for Your Fourth of July Picnic!!

Clean your tin cans after you empty them.

Use your Dremel or similar tool to file off the burrs from the can opener.

Use E6000 or your favorite ultra strong adhesive to glue the cans together.

Paint your cans red.

Use hot glue to add patriotic ribbon and some rope for trim.

Add your candles and you are ready to decorate your Fourth of July table.




Check out my collection of Tin Can Crafts for inspiration!!

I will be sharing these at:

Brambleberry Cottage: Time Travel Thursday

CAN You See Me Now? -- Tin Can Night Light

How To Make a Punched Tin Night Light

Clean your tin can.

Use a tin snips to cut a rectangle out from your tin can.

Use a hammer to beat the natural curve out of the tin and make it flat. This will take time. Beat one side, then flip it over and beat the other side. Keep repeating until the tin no longer curls.

Draw your design on the tin can.

Use a drill to drill the holes for your design.

Add holes around the perimeter of the rectangle for stringing beads and for the wire that will wrap around the bulb base (the plastic base that the bulb screws into)  and hold the punched tin cover in place (for the night light I used two small holes at the bottom middle of the pattern worked well).

Use a Dremel or similar tool to sand off burrs and to smooth the edges of the cover.

Paint the tin your favorite color (this is Oxford Blue by Krylon).

Use fine gauge wire to weave a bead pattern around the outside of your night-light.

Use a slightly heavier gauge wire to wrap through the base holes and wrap around the base that the bulb screws into. 

Check out my collection of Tin Can Crafts for inspiration!!

I am sharing this at: 

My Backyard Eden: Make It Yours Day 

Nikki's Nifty Knacks: Gettin' Crafty on Hump Day 

Beyond the Picket Fence: Under $100 Linky Party 

Life as Lori: Get Your Craft On Thursday 

Brambleberry Cottage: Time Travel Thursday

It's in the Can - Tin Can Handbag

Make a Tin Can Handbag

Use a large tin can (this was from a 28 oz can of crushed tomatoes) for this project.

Drill holes evenly around the lip of the can. Use a Dremel or similar tool to sand off all the burrs (this is very important since you will be putting your hand into this can regularly).

Drill a hole where you want to place your shell (Make sure the hole is big enough for your needle and a double width of jute).

Spray paint the can. My can is painted Oxford Blue by Krylon I also sealed it with acrylic clear coat to make the paint more durable.

The pictures of my daughter holding the handbag are from before I started using it. I took this after the first day I used it. I can see that I've spilled tea on it already...oops!! :)

Decide how tall you want the neck of the bag to be. I liked the idea of a long neck because I actually use it as the carrying strap. Cut a piece of fabric twice as long plus half an inch. Determine the diameter of the can and cut the fabric that wide plus half an inch.

Fold the fabric in half and sew the side seam (a quarter inch seam).

Reverse the fabric leaving half the tube inside and half outside. Mark where you want the tie rope to exit and enter. Make two buttonholes at these locations.

Bring the raw edges together (so that the seam is encased and the tube is fully lined). Use a wide, tight zig zag stitch to finish the raw edges of the tube.

Use a very large needle and hemp jewelry twine to 'sew' the tube into the opening of the can using the holes that your predrilled on the can. You can use a button like I did to hold the thread inside the can for the knot (like you do when you sew fabric).

Use a button to anchor the long piece of jute that you will run through the hole where you place the shell.

Drill two holes near the top of your shell. Run a very long strand of jute through the holes.

Apply glue to the back of the shell and press firmly against the can let it dry for the amount of time recommended by the manufacturer of the can. I used painting tape to hold it in place while it dried.

At the same time, squeeze a bit of glue around the inside rim of the can to reinforce the stitching. Clothespins can help hold the fabric to the can while it dries.

Remove the tape and tie a pretty bow with the jute on your shell. Cut the jute tails off.

Use a needle and a long piece of jute to thread your draw string.

Now you have a small handbag for tossing things in when you go thrifting or to the beach!!

I made this for the Iron Crafter challenge.





Check out my collection of Tin Can Crafts for inspiration!!

I am sharing this at:

Sumo's Sweet Stuff: Market Yourself Monday

Keeping it Simple: Motivate Me Monday 

House of Hepworths: Hookin' Up with HOH


Brambleberry Cottage: Time Travel Thursday

Can Lights

A four dollar lamp from GW and a pineapple juice can make a simple custom lamp.

Cut off the original shade with tin snip (or now that I know what I am doing, I could say dismantle the wiring and remove original shade).

Using the original shade as a template, drill all appropriate holes in your can. Use a Dremel or other tool to sand off all burrs left from the can opener and drilling (you don't want the can snagging or cutting people).

Spray paint the inside of the can silver (this helps hide the seam a bit and any drill marks) and spray paint the outside with hammered copper).

Reassemble your lamp (I had a friend who knows wiring help me do this, if you know how to wire a lamp do it yourself or you can do like I've done in the past and bring it to a hardware store or handyman that does small repairs).

Now you have your own can light!!

I think she is just perfect for the kitchen - she provides great task lighting.

I made her for the Fireflies and Jellybeans Iron Crafter Challenge.




Check out my collection of Tin Can Crafts for inspiration!!


I am sharing this at:

Its So Very Cheri: Spotlight Yourself

Skip to My Lou: Made By You Monday

Sugar Bee: Take-A-Look Tuesday

Tools are For Women Too: Modern Craftswoman Monday 

Somewhat Simple: Strut Your Stuff Thursday 

Brambleberry Cottage: Time Travel Thursday