DIY Soda Can Garden Charms

DIY Soda Can Garden Charms

There are some really sweet crafts hiding in your recycle bin! The metal from soda cans (pop or beer cans) is easy to turn into art. Gather up a bunch of cans, rinse them out, and you're ready to make some soda can garden charms.

One common question with this type of project is, is the metal sharp?

Yes, and no. I find it's only sharp if the design has pointy tips. I don't find a problem with curved edges (they're dull), so keep this in mind when you dream up your designs.

If you'd like to involve kids in this project, have them draw the basic designs on cardstock. The adults can take it from there, preparing the cans, and creating the charms.

To keep things safe, always use safety glasses and protective gloves when cutting metal. The project is easy and you can make a bunch of charms in just one afternoon.

This video gives a quick overview of the steps.

• Empty soda cans, rinsed out and dry.
• Small scissors for fine cutting.
• Cardstock (for templates).
• Nail or screw (2" or longer) or awl.
• Hammer.
• Old cutting board (or other solid surface for nailing designs onto metal).
• Rag or cotton ball.

Optional

• Fine wire for antennae on butterflies.
• Glue gun, magnetic buttons or dots, all-purpose glue, or E6000 (for attaching charms for display).

1 Clean empty soda cans (rinse, dry).

2 Cut off top and bottom of each can using a box cutter.

Tip: Hold the can inside an open box while cutting to catch any tiny bits of metal.

You want three pieces: the top, bottom, and one cylinder of metal (this is what we'll use).

3 Cut the cylinder of metal down one side. Now you have a rectangular sheet of metal. Trim off any jagged edges.

4 Draw templates on cardstock. Make sure your templates fit the size of the metal sheets (not larger). I made butterflies, birds, snails, flowers.

Keep your shapes simple, use rounded edges (these are dull and safer) and avoid any pointed tips (they are very sharp).

5 Use a fine tip Sharpie marker to trace templates onto metal sheets.

• Attach to plant markers or flower pots.
• Add to hair barrettes.
• Decorate a wrapped gift.
• Dress up a garden sign.
• Glue on picture frames.
• Christmas tree ornaments.

Attach your garden charms using a glue gun, magnetic buttons, all-purpose glue, tape, or E6000 (depending on how permanent you want it to be).

DIY Soda can garden charms. Turn your old cans into art!

Tags:

garden art

crafts

DIY

repurposed

recycled

trinkets

charms

soda cans

garden

craft projects

Original article and pictures take www.ebay.com site