Soda Can Oak Leaf Sculpture

Create the beauty of Fall with a soda can oak leaf sculpture! This rustic oak leaf sculpture features a distressed style with a few layers of soda can leaf clusters, creating a larger "oak leaf flower" using oak leaves created from soda cans painted in an antique metallic copper color! Do you know that there are two different types of oak leaves. One that's a white oak leaf with a rounded tip and round lobes and no sharp points. The other, a red oak leaf has sharp, pointed lobes. I love the shape of the white oak leaf - it's perfect to use for a sculpture! 

I think a lovely oak leaf sculpture adds a touch of sophistication to any space in or outside of your home! Imagine hanging this above your mantel, creating a cozy focal point or on your front door, greeting quests with warmth and style! Its' design makes it a fit for any decor style - from modern to rustic. So unique and eye-catching that's suitable for various settings.

But before I share my tutorial, it's time for our monthly Creative Craft Hop!  WELCOME!  The hop is co-hosted by two very talented ladies, Sara @Birdz of a Feather  and Donna @Modern on  Monticello who take turns every other month! The lovely and creative, Sara is our host for this month! I'm so glad you're here checking out our creative projects for the month of September!           And at the very end of my tutorial, I'll be directing you to the next amazing creative crafter on this hop.

Materials Used:

• Soda cans
• Utility/X-acto knife
• Scissors
• Parchment paper
• Iron
• White Oak Leaf template
• Masking tape
• Soft layers of cardboard or foam sheet mat
• Copper metallic acrylic paint/paint brush/sponge brush
• Super Glue
• Adhesive Plate Hanger

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! Plus Google Adsense provides a platform for me to monetize my content by hosting ads from Google's network of advertisers. The money I earn helps pay my crafting expenses. Thanks so much for your support!

How To:

Lets begin by making sure the soda cans are clean inside by washing out the cans with warm water to remove any sticky residue and let dry. Then carefully cut off one end of the soda can using a utility knife or craft scissors. *Caution: You may want to wear gloves for this! 

Next, cut through the length of can to open and .  .  .                   

 to remove the bottom of the can to .  .  .

 open up the entire can!

I eventually cut out fifteen pieces of aluminum from the soda cans.

Then initially smooth the aluminum out over a table edge or counter top to help remove the curl of the can.  

They're still not quite flat but .  .  .

here's another way how I flatten the aluminum pieces - but I was so wrapped up in doing so I forgot to take pictures! First, I laid each cut can piece between two layers of parchment paper that I placed on an old ironing board and then used a very hot electric iron turned onto the maximum heat (linen) and held the iron on it for about 5 minutes. That did the trick - although the aluminum turned a bit tarnish looking. But that was ok since I would be painting the cut-out leaves.

Next, I used a oak leaf template from a previous project you can find here. With each piece of aluminum, I folded a strip of masking tape together just short of the length of the leaf template and put it on the back of the template. Then stuck the template on the metal and cut the leaf out.      

It was so much easier to cut all the leaves out this way!          
                 

The larger leaf size measures approximately 7.75"x3.50"

 

And with each oak leaf that I cut out, I began to place them in the design I had in mind.

              

But first, I needed to cut out a circle to place the leaves on and .  .  .

then began to add the vein lines by placing the aluminum leaf on a semi-soft surface like a foam sheet mat or soft layers of cardboard material. Lay the paper template on top and using a pencil or an embossing tool to apply a firm, steady pressure to go over the center spine and side veins directly into the metal - resulting in an awesome look, as shown below. In hindsight, I should have left the template on once the leaf was cut out and then added the spine and veins.

Next, made a smaller version of the oak leaf template with measurements of 5.75"x3.27" each.

And for the center piece, the template measured 2.50x1.27" for each leaf. Somehow, again, I forgot to take pictures of this group before painting. Please excuse my forgetfulness. 

Once all the leaves were cut out and veins were depressed, I began painting them with an indoor/outdoor copper metallic acrylic paint. 

Once the larger leaves were dry, added the second, slightly smaller group to see how they would look.

And then arranging the smallest version, which goes on top.

The look is really coming together!

Now, to glue it all together! I started using Quick Hold Glue which has always given me a quick dry and hold in my gluing process. But this time, it didn't work - as you can see the glue stains around the leaf stem. I tried a few different kinds of glue - B-7000, E6000 Premium, and even hot glue, but none of these worked. Desperate, I tried a tube of "The Original Super Glue Gel" I had in my stash, and it stuck! Yay! 

So from there, I glued the rest of leaves on with super glue!

I left the sculpture to set overnight and then added a clear adhesive picture hanger on the back the next day. I guess you're wondering why I didn't paint the backs of the soda can leaves. Well, how else can I show folks that this sculpture was made out of soda cans, lol!!!

And here it is hanging on my door! 

Bringing the spirit of Fall into my home and adding a personal touch by creating an eye-catching focal point and unleashing my creativity with soda cans!

Up next is Sara, one of our talented hosts sharing her awesome Polymer Clay Ravioli! You will surely be amazed at Sara's artistic undertaking! She is truly innovative!! And be sure to check out all of our creative crafters listed below!

Gail  - Soda Can Oak Leaf Sculpture

Sara - Polymer Clay Ravioli

Donna - Alphabet Block Christmas Ornament

Cecilia - Reusable Gift Box Glow Up