Cord Wrapped Tin Can Flatware Caddy

Welcome Y'all! It's that time again for our Creative Craft Hop hosted by Sara @Birdz of a Feather! I don't know if you're like me, but I'm always on the lookout for craft project inspirations! While I was in Target some time ago, I came upon a utensil holder that was made out of seagrass, I think. I loved how it looked so I took pictures of it - just like I usually do when I'm inspired. Unfortunately, it is no longer available at Target, but here is a picture of it:

And that is where I got the idea to make a flatware caddy of my own! Since I collect tin cans and other recyclables for my projects, it was a no brainer to use tin cans to make a caddy - one with three sections or cans, sized for spoons, forks and knives!  

Cheerful and charming - especially done in purple, lol - this Cord Wrapped Tin Can Flatware Caddy adds a playful element to get-togethers and gatherings. A group of three hand wrapped upcycled tin cans in poly cord that's perfect for entertaining and a whole lot more! 

Materials Needed:

• Tin cans - 3 (27oz.)
• Poly Cord
• Quick dry multi purpose glue (Starbond) or hot glue
• Parchment paper
• Ruler
• Drill
• Screws
• Phillips screwdriver (short handle)/rachet
• Wire clothes hanger
• Wire cutter

Let's begin with clean, dry tin cans. I'm using vegetable cans that are a great size at 27 ounces!

Plus, I'm using leftover purple cord from a previous project making this caddy basically cost free! I also like to spread a sheet of parchment paper over my work surface to catch any glue that may fall off.

 Begin by adding a dab of hot glue to the end of the cord and .  .  .

coiling it into a circle while adding a bit of glue along the cord as you coil.

Then add a dab of hot glue to the center of the bottom portion of the tin can and continue coiling the poly cord around the can.

At first, I didn't want hot glue to show on the purple cord so I used a high performing super glue called Starbond which dried clear to attach the poly cord.

Continue coiling the poly cord until the bottom is completely covered .  .  .

and then moving up the sides of the can.

I switched to using hot glue since I was running out of Starbond. Continue adding hot glue to wrap the can with poly cord  .   .  .

going round and round until the can is completely covered.

Then wrap the other two cans the same as the first.

To secure the three cans together, use a drill to create holes near the top of the three cans aligning the holes on the cans with a ruler to match up the holes. Use a short handle Phillips screwdriver or rachet to tighten the screws and attach the cans together.  

Dab a bit of Starbond glue on the screws to hold in place and let dry.

To make the handle, cut off the straight bottom wire of a clothes hanger .  .  .

using a wire cutter.

Fold the wire in half, leaving a loop at the top and twisting the wire at the bottom to close.

Wrap the loop with cord beginning at the bottom and .  .  .

moving up along the loop and .  .  .

back down to wrap around the bottom again.

Then apply glue around the wrapped bottom cord and insert into center of cans. Hold cans together for a couple of minutes until glue dries. 

This practical upcycled caddy adds a casual warmth and welcome to the table for both inside and outside entertaining.  And as an added plus, the caddy can be used to house all sorts of things like pens and pencils, office supplies and even bottles of wine! It's really a multi- purpose handcrafted item that can be use all year long!

Once again, welcome to our monthly Creative Craft Hop! I hope you liked how I made my cord wrapped flatware caddy! Up next, is Carol @ Bluesky at Home sharing how to make pretty vinyl planters!  Be sure to stop by each and everyone in our creative group listed below to check out their exciting and inspiring project! And don't forget to pin, too!

                     

Gail | Purple Hues and Me | Cord Wrapped Tin Can Flatware Caddy

Carol | Bluesky at Home | How to Make Pretty Planters with Vinyl

 Cecilia | My Thrift Store Addiction | Repurposed Ceiling Medallion Whimsical Mushroom Wreath

Terri | Decorate More with Tip | You Can Paint....WHAT?

 Jenna | The Painted Apron | Kentucky Derby Straws

Ann |The Apple Street Cottage | Denim Cuff Bracelets

Allyson | Southern Sunflowers | Robot Craft Idea for Kindergarten Kids to Make for Friends

Sara |Birdz of a Feather | Pegboard Display Stand DIY

Niki | Life as a Leo Wife | Beautiful Mother's Day Mason Jar Sign with Free Designs & Paper Flowers

Decorative Candy Box Frame

I love saving "trash!" I have my hubby trained to ask me if I need whatever he's planning on throwing away! Lol!  As a crafter, you just never know when you might need an item from the trash stash for a project! Like for this month's DIY Challenge, hosted by Terrie @Decorate and More with Tip!  In case you don't know about this DIY Challenge, on the 1st Wednesday of each month, a group of talented bloggers create something based on a theme or material that's selected by Terri! I bet you can guess what this month's theme is! From Trash to Treasure!

And I've got the perfect piece from my trash stash to upcycle! The bottom of an empty chocolate candy box! So let's transform this piece into a decorative candy box frame! Perfect to show off sentimental photos or love saying and notes!

Materials used:

• Chocolate Candy Box bottom (large)
• Sequin Elastic Trim (10yd) - 1"
• Decorative Metallic Trim - 5/8"
• Glitter Cut Edge Wide Ribbon - 8"
• Aileene's Tacky Glue
• Scissors, clamps

I don't know what happened to the box top. I know it's somewhere in my trash stash, lol! But all I need is the bottom to make a decorative candy box frame. Plus using a few incidentals like sequin and metallic trims, extra wide ribbon and glue! How easy does that sound?

Let's begin with lots of sequin trim (leave on bolt) - which I will use to cover most of the box - interior and side using tacky glue and clamps to hold. Starting with the inside cardboard piece, apply generous amounts of tacky glue at the beginning of the V dip, and moving along the strip while applying the sequin trim. Clamp the end of the trim to hold in place .  .  .

while applying the trim along the curve of the heart shape .  .  .

down and around .  .  .

and back up to where it started - cutting off the excess trim and gluing in place. Clamp in place until dry. 

Then add another row of sequin trim, starting and  .  .  .

ending in the same area. Use clamps to hold in place, if needed, til dry.

Then begin gluing on sequin trim along the outside box frame, starting on one side and ending on the other side.

Since the sequin trim is only 1 inch wide, additional metallic trim is used to cover the entire width of the outside cardboard. Apply the metallic trim the same as the sequin trim using tacky glue. Let dry.

The center of the box can either be cut out in the heart shape to place a photo or graphic love note - which I didn't want to do. Or .  .  .

insert a large ribbon or fabric shaped (cut) into a heart and .  .  .

glued in place.

Looking lovely, don't you think!

Place a sentimental photo .  .  .

or saying for a keepsake!

From Trash to Treasure:

Be sure to visit all the fabulous trash to treasure participants shown below:

Decorate and More with Tip

Bluesky at Home

The House House

Purple Hues and Me

Sweet Southern Grace

Baggott Farmhouse

Patina and Paint

The House on Silverado

Pallet and Pantry

Cloches and Lavender

 

Beaded Heart Shaped Hanger Wreath

Don't you just love the look of fabulous beaded crystals in decor? Like special decorative items around your home enhanced with crystals and gems! I know I do! Who doesn't love a little sparkle, here and there! And it doesn't matter what your style is, either. Elegant, classic, rustic, modern, farmhouse, chic, or glamorous - it will surely fit in! Just imagine a wire clothes hanger turned into a pretty sparkling heart? 

Besides, it's is a great upcycle craft using a wire coat hanger and lots of beads and crystals from my stash! And the best part, it's so easy to make! 

Join us for our very first Do It Over Designers Blog Hop of 2022! 'Do It Over' Designers is a group of talented bloggers who love to recycle/upcycle/DIY, hosted by Anne @The Apple Street Cottage. It happens the 4th Saturday of every other month and it's all about taking something old and/or unused and 'doing it over' into something new. Anything from fabric, old dishes, and decor to dressers and hutches. Items found in closets, cabinets, barns, garages, yard sales, thrift stores, you name it!

Psst! Here's how to make a Beaded Heart Shaped Hanger Wreath:

You will need:

• Wire Clothes Hanger
• Wire Cutters (heavy duty)
• Assorted clear beads, crystal rocks and fillers
• Hot Glue Gun/glue sticks
• Parchment paper
• Plastic bowl
• Decorative ribbon for hanging

To make the wire clothes hanger into a heart .  .  .

start by pulling the middle of the bottom wire of the hanger straight down into a 'V' shape.

Then take the top sides of the hanger and begin shaping into a round circle .  .  .

while bending the hanger hook portion down  towards the center.

Continue to bend and manipulate the wire into a heart shape using your fingers -

by straightening the top wire portions to form a circle .  .  .

curving the wire on each side .  .  .

into half circle shapes .  .  .

just like a heart!

Continue smoothing out the wire sides with your hands .  .  .

then use heavy duty wire cutters to remove the wire hook.

How cool does this handmade wire clothes hanger heart look!

Now it's time to decorate the wire heart by first mixing small crystal filler beads, small crystal rocks, seed bead rod crystals and tiny pearls together and .  .  .

beginning at the center extended twisted wire, apply hot glue in increments of 1 to 2 inches along wire. 

Quickly drop a mixture of crystals on top of glue and squeeze beads and wire together.   Caution - the glue and beads together will be hot, hot, hot!

So use a piece of parchment paper to help hold the beads together on the wire until the hot glue cools off and dries.

Continue adding the hot glue in increments along the wire and adding the beads - holding in place around the wire with parchment paper.

I found it much easier to use a large bowl to catch the beads while using the parchment paper to squeeze the beads onto the wire. Otherwise, the beads were flying everywhere!

Continue moving around the heart shaped wire, adding glue, holding parchment paper under, dumping beads on the glue and squeezing it all together! 

Once you've finished adding beads around the heart shaped wire, check any areas that may be missing beads and add more, especially on the backside.

Add a pretty fabric hanger by folding an 18" piece of decorative ribbon together, tying the ends in a knot. Apply glue to the center heart drop and press the knot onto the glue. Add more glue to the knot and secure with additional beads to cover the knot.  Use parchment paper to press the beads and knot down to secure in place. 

Have fun with this in your Valentine decor!

Be sure to check out all of the 'Do It Over Designers' listed below to see their lovely "do overs" too! 

Pandora’s Box

Purple Hues & Me

Southern Sunflowers

Interior Frugalista

The Apple Street Cottage

Birdz of a Feather

Cloches & Lavender

Exquisitely Unremarkable

Little Vintage Cottage

Modern on Monticello

Sum of Their Stories