Tuesday, August 2, 2022

Upcycled Tin Can with Decorative Top

Welcome to our Sustainable Pinterest Challenge Blog Hop hosted by Julie  @Sum of Their StoriesThe purpose of this Pinterest Challenge is to motivate all of us to create a project that a) is inspired by a pin on one of our Pinterest boards and b) have some sort of a sustainable element to it. This could be an upcycling or recycling element, or something that reduces waste, uses leftovers, etc. This month the theme is "Upcycled" which includes transforming usually discarded or unused items into something different, new or useful. And I'd like to say in the crafting world, it's called "Creative Reuse!"
I love upcycle projects! For this theme, I get to shop my stash to upcycle something from it and not have to go out and buy anything - so it's a win win for me! Let me tell you I have lots and lots of discarded cans and bottles! I am very thankful that I have a good natured hubby who never complains about all the trash - I mean, items I keep, lol! He is a very neat and organized person, while I am not!  Our garage is looking quite messy right now with bags and bags of discarded containers - all being held for projects like this one.

For this theme, I knew I wanted to decoupage a tin can and I also knew I wanted to make a top for the can, too. Having a top makes it extra special and for a good storage item. And is definitely one way to help reduce household waste! 

I was perusing through Pinterest when I came across this pin which showed a can with a lid. That looked ok but I wanted to make a top that would stand out and be decorative - something I just couldn't find on any projects on Pinterest. Oh, I've made a top before - for a vase out of a styrofoam ball - which I thought was very cool. But this time I'll be making a top from a plastic juice bottle. Does that make you want to read more?
So let's get started!
Materials:
  • Tin can
  • Sharpie marker
  • Acrylic paint (white)
  • Sponge brush/paint brush
  • Mod Podge
  • Newspaper
  • Decorative napkin
  • Plastic juice bottle
  • Cardboard
  • Craft knife/scissors
  • Plastic wrap
  • Jute rope - 8mm(trim)
  • RapidFuse - all purpose glue
  • Crystal ball - 20mm

Disclosure I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites, this post may contain links. I may receive a very small commission at no cost to you! The affiliate money I earn helps pay my crafting expenses. Thanks so much for your support!

Begin with a clean, dry tin can - removing all labels and glue residue.
Place the tin can over the top of the plastic juice bottle and draw a line on the bottle around the top of the can. 
Use a sharp craft knife to cut along the drawn line to remove the top.
Then paint the can using white acrylic paint and a sponge brush. Apply two coats, drying between each coat. To make the bottom of the top, draw a circle on cardboard, using the opening of the can as a guide.  

Cut out the circle  using a craft knife and  .  .  .
glue the base of the top onto the cardboard circle using RapidFuse glue.

Next, tear newspaper into small strips  and begin covering the plastic top and base with  mod podge and newspaper strips - smoothing down with a paint brush.
After one layer is applied, let it dry completely. Then apply another layer and let that one dry completely, too. I used the top of a bottle of paint to place the paper mache top over it to dry. It was a perfect fit to allow the entire top to dry at one time.
While the top is drying, separate the layers of the napkin, removing the two white layers from the decorative layer.
Next, apply a thin layer of Mod Podge in sections beginning at the can seam and lay the napkin evenly down across the seam on top. (Sorry I didn't take a picture doing this) 
Smoothing the napkin out.  Continue applying Mod Podge and napkin around the can until covering the can completely with the napkin. 
Use plastic wrap to smooth out any wrinkles before applying Mod Podge to the top of the napkin. A wet napkin tends to lift up or tear if smoothed out with plastic wrap.
 Let dry completely and then add a layer of Mod Podge to the entire napkin area to seal and let dry.
For the top, because of the curved shape of the top, start tearing out (feathering) small areas of the napkin to use. Then apply a thin layer of Mod Podge to similar sized areas of the top and lay the napkin down on top, smoothing it out. 
Continue adding feathered sections of the printed napkin layer to the top in the same manner .  .  .
until the top is completely covered .  .  .


including the bottom of the top. Although you can cover the bottom portion with one piece of napkin.

For a decorative look, glue on jute rope trim around the base of the top and bottom of the can. 

Complete the look by adding a silver base (that I took off a rod) and a jewel bead from my stash . . .  . 


to the opening on the top.

Don't you just love a lovely upcycled project!

Now, it's time to meet the other participants and their projects!

Julie | Sum of their Stories
Gail | Purple Hues and Me
Julie | Treasures Made From Yarn
Lydia | Life Beyond the Kitchen
Terri | A Good Life
Ann | The Apple Street Cottage
T’onna | Sew Crafty Crochet
Donna | Modern on Monticello
Allyson | Southern Sunflowers
Mel | Decor Craft Design


Upcycled Cotton Reel Garland
Upcycled Tin Can with Decorative Top
Framed Vases
Upcycled Plate Flowers
Upcycled Cardigan
Upcycled Denim Bucket Hat
DIY Tiered Tray
Wine Bottle Luminary
Easy DIY Wall Plaque
DIY Upcycled Bookshelf Bench

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

14 comments:

  1. Oh good grief Gail! This is insanely creative! So clever and a great use of your trash - sorry, items you keep :-D
    You never cease to amaze me with what you can transform with a paper napkin!
    I do think we might be twins, separated at birth as I also keep all the things in case they are useful for a creative idea and I also have a tidy husband who rolls his eyes and then puts up with the boxes and bags of "stuff" which I stash around the place!

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  2. Wow! I'm in awe of what you've accomplished, here, Gail. Love the clever way you've made a top for your tin can. I can see making something similar with my grandsons to hold their treasures.

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  3. That top is 'over the top' Gail - you are so creative!

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  4. Very lovely, Gail! It'll look great for fall. Love the napkin pattern and the jewel bead!

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  5. Looks great for fall decor! Especially unique with how you made your plastic top and added the bead. All husbands of crafters must have that same eye roll or shake of the head for our pieces of junk collection ~ mine does!

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  6. You put a lot of work in to this project. And you always seem to come up with such unique ideas for "items" in your stash. I am just as guilty of having a stash of items that need a new purpose and the hubs never complains. Probably because he has a stash of car parts in the garage too. This is such a great upcycle. So glad you shared it.

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  7. You always craft the cutest things! You work real magic with napkins! Where do you find all these awesome napkins!? And the jewel on top is perfect! Such a wonderful upcycle!

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  8. I love the rope detail and the look of fall. I love your crafts!

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  9. Your project turned out cute!

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  10. Gail, this is beautiful!! So clever too, and wait, it's not purple! I love to decoupage, I need some cans! I love the way you did the top and created the knob!
    Jenna

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  11. What a great idea to give the tin a new top! This turned out so perfect, love it! Thanks for sharing with us on Crafty Creators!
    XOXO,
    Niki

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  12. Wow, this is so pretty! Who'd think these two components would even work together?! But they sure do!

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  13. This looks fabulous. You would never guess that it was all recycled stuff! Love it!

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  14. Just stopping by again to say thanks for sharing on Crafty Creators!

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