I recycle so many cans that sometimes I just stare at them and wonder what I can do with them besides throwing them in the recyclables. Well, my craft woes don't last for long! Here's how I turned an old tin can into a cute, seasonal lantern.
Supplies:
Soap & Water
Tin Can
Sharpie
Tool to Puncture Tin Can
Drill
Mallet/Hammer & Awl/Needle
Fairy Lights or Battery Operated Light/Candle
Embellishments of Choice (Paint, rhinestones, stickers, etc.)
Step One:
Thoroughly wash your can of any label residue with soap and water. Then, dry off your can.
Step Two:
Use a Sharpie to mark the dotted outline of your pumpkin design. My pumpkin looked more like an egg with a stem, so I went with a Jack-o-lantern design.
Tip: You can restart your design by simply washing off your Sharpie markings with soap and water.
Step Three:
Once you are satisfied with your design, begin puncturing the dotted outline.
Tip: You can use a mallet and an awl, a hammer and a nail, or a drill.
To use the mallet and awl or hammer and nail, lay your tin can down with your design facing up and tape it to a hard surface (the ground will do). You will then take your mallet/hammer or awl/nail and puncture holes in the tin can following the dotted outline. Be very careful so that you avoid hammering your fingers!
If you choose to use a drill, be sure that you are comfortable using it before you being. Select a drill head that is small and pointed enough to drill the appropriate size holes for your can.
I used an awl and mallet and nearly beat my can in - it happens. Good thing I have more cans to practice on.
Step Four:
Embellish your tin can! Decorate your can with paint, rhinestones, glitter, or whatever you see fit. The possibilities are endless! I was going for a galvanized look, so I left my tin can undecorated - I can always change my mind later.
Tip: If you decide to decorate your tin can with paint, be sure to paint your can first and let it dry completely before adding additional embellishments.
Step Five:
Once you have embellished your tin can and it has dried, drop fair lights or some sort of battery-operated lighting inside of your can.
There you have it, a pump-can-ish lantern! The perfect piece for making the season light up!
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