Tin Can Craft – Ways to Upcycle & Decorate

Are you looking for a super fun and easy craft project that uses empty soup cans? For this DIY tin can craft we will be giving old cans a new facelift using different techniques & styles. Earth and budget friendly and versatile!

HOW TO REPURPOSE A TIN CAN for this craft

Tin cans are an easy-to-find item you can upcycle and customize any way you choose. I never thought of an empty soup can as very useful and certainly not beautiful until I tried this project.

Adding fresh-cut flowers made these cans not only the perfect size and shape but they can also be easily made in bulk quantities.

I have to admit they are not only easy to make but kind of addicting once you get started.

Pin & save for later!

How can you use empty tin cans?

I never realized until I did a search on Pinterest how many different items you can make from an old used soup can.

Here are a few other ideas I found that is quick, easy, and can be made from items you already may have on hand.

• planter
• holds silverware
• vase fresh flowers
• candle lantern (we use the faux candle votives and love making these!)
• candle tin
• pen/pencil holder
• windchime
• windsock
• snack or cookie giveaway tin
• pin cushion
• table numbers
• place setting tag/gift
• flower pot
• bread pan
• makeup brushes
• paintbrush holder
• wall pocket
• decorative birdhouse
  

The creative options are ENDLESS!

Let’s get this tin can craft project started!

Decide what purpose you’d like to use your can for and what sizes of cans you will need. Then decide how you want to style it. I decided for this tutorial to try a few different styles to help spark some ideas for you!

Grab your cans – remove the label & glue – wash in warm soapy water & dry thoroughly and you are READY TO CREATE!

Materials for Tin Can Craft Project

• Clean tin cans
• Paint & brush
• Mod Podge
• Scissors
• Twine or ribbon
• Print outs (Be sure to check out TheGraphicsFairy.com for amazing printable images)
• Embellishments (buttons, lace, doilies, etc)

How Can I Decorate an Empty Tin Can?

Coastal Beach Theme

– Super easy!

Just add 2 coats of acrylic paint adding a layer of white to the top of the can for a wavy effect. Add a coat of mod podge or sealer when the paint is completely dry. Then tie on a starfish with twine adding a dab of glue to keep starfish tacked down. Done ✔

Primitive Patriotic–

-This one took the longest but it was so worth it, don’t you think?

First, I paint lines of muted red, cream & navy acrylic paint. Then antique with a dry brush using brown paint. Then take a small cloth and in a few areas wiped the paint for a distressed look. I printed an eagle picture from thegraphicsfairy.com onto regular copy paper using my inkjet printer.

I added a thin layer of watered-down cream paint over the graphic so it would have a darker look. Add mod podge to the back of the label and flattened it into the can. Once that was dry added a thin coat of mod podge over the entire can.

Wrap twine around the top and bottom rim of the can and glue in place. (I wrapped it around three times)

To add a hanger just grab a wine cork and wire (I used a kids wire hanger). Drill a hole on either side of the can and a hole lengthwise through the cork. Cut your wire to length, thread it through the cork which will be the top of the handle. Then put your wire through each hole and make a loop with pliers on each side of the can to hold the wire in place.

Shabby Chic/Cottage Core

For this cozy cottage goodness I added must have layers of eye appeal prettiness so this one has a few extra steps.

First added 2 coats of acrylic paint to the can. Once that was dry I used a dotting tool to make polka dots over the rim of the can.

I painted 2 clothespins & added dots to them as well then I tied on some lace & zig-zag ribbon. Then I cut a paper doily & used Mod Podge to adhere it towards the bottom of the can.
I designed a floral tag using graphics that I found on thegraphicsfairy.com then putting it on a tag on Canva.com. They are printed on my inkjet printer on cardstock.

Then I just tied the tag to the lace using a thin ribbon & finished with a bow.

Super Quick & easy 4 step design (Tin Can Craft)

If you are looking to decorate several cans at a time, this is a simple and easy way to do it! – See more finished cans at DIY Farmhouse Decor – Quick Upcycle Project

Farmhouse Style-

– I love the simple farmhouse garden vibe from just adding two coats of white spray paint, a black & white bee printable, and distressing with a black sharpie. The final step is to add some marker to the top and bottom for a vintage enamel feel. Cover with a coat of mod podge and you’re done ✔

Vintage Garden –

Super simple & yet so sweet and beautiful.

Add two coats of white spray paint. Print out bird pictures from thegraphicsfairy.com cut them out and apply a thin layer of Mod podge to adhere the label to the can. Smooth out using your hand to remove any bubbles. Once dried lightly distress w either a small damp cloth or fine-grit sandpaper. The final step adds a thin layer of mod podge once the label has dried. Done ✔

These are just a few ideas that will hopefully spark your CREATIVITY! I would love it if you would SHARE your ideas & photo’s of your creations over on Instagram

More Tin Can Decor Ideas!

SHOP OUR TOP 8 CRAFT & DIY SUPPLIES

Here are our FAVORITE art & craft supplies that I always try to have on hand. These items will be used in countless crafts and DIY projects that we will be sharing with you! I have added the shopping links to the products below so you can have these items on hand as well!

“MUST HAVE” CRAFTING SUPPLIES

1. Tulip Dimensional Fabric Paint (extra bottles of white for the look of icing)
2. Apple Barrel Acrylic Paint by Plaid (even though it’s very inexpensive we have never had a problem with coverage)
3. Mod Podge Water-based Sealer, Glue & Decoupage Finish (gloss version) & (matte version)
4. Sculpey Polymer Clay – I could do an entire post just on the different things my kids create each week with this amazing clay!
5. Sharpie Permanent Markers– I use these often in my business and now find us using them quite a bit for our projects as well!
6. E-6000 Glue – Using this in a well-vented space for sure! But it works very well.
7. Burlap Roll 5 inches wide – Burlap is compostable which is just one reason why I use it in a variety of projects.
8. Jute Twine String– Biodegradable & environmentally friendly and used in dozens of household projects

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