Department(s):
I think we can all agree that food cans tend to be some of the most common forms of trash out there. But are we over looking a potential fertile craft field every time we dump a can into the recycling bin? You betcha. Don’t spend another day wasting a perfectly good can. Check out a few of the things you could be making for mere pennies.
Desk Organizer
There’s really not a whole lot of direction that goes along with this. You pretty much open, empty, and clean out a can, then fill it with pens and pencils. The trick is to keep your eyes open for the cool looking cans, something with a little graphic pizzazz. I was drawn to the retro looking design that came with my pie filling this last Thanksgiving. Bonus? It has a recipe on the back.
Votive Holders
Picture this: your special someone is coming over and you are hoping to get your swerve on, but you don’t have any way to set the mood. Emergency ambiance trick—get the proper lighting. This project is especially handy for us pet owners, who always have pet food cans lying around. Turn those recycle bin staples into cute little candle holders.
What you’ll need:
An assortment of Fancy Feast cans or any other empty 3 oz. can -- Free
Rubber cement – 4 oz/ $1
Ribbon (enough to encircle the number of cans you have at the ready. The thicker, the easier it is to hide any imperfections on the cans.) – prices vary. You can buy a few yards of ribbon at any flea market and most thrift stores.
Tea candles – average 12/$5 (but they can definitely found cheaper)
How to do it:
1. Take the labels off the cans.
2. There will be tacky residue left from the label. You can scrub it off or just stick one end of the ribbon over it. It is actually easier to line up the ribbon if you use this adhesive to anchor one end of the ribbon.
3. Measure out enough ribbon to go around the outside of the can once, with an inch and ½ excess. Put a thin layer of rubber cement on the back side of the ribbon and wrap the ribbon around the can.
4. Take the raw edge of the excess ribbon. Fold it in on itself. Glue the fold down on top of the ribbon, so that no raw edges are showing.
5. Put a tea candle in the can. Light it and enjoy the glow.
Possible variations: You can also nail hole patterns into the side of the can if you’d like to create more of an old-timey feel. Fill the can with water and stick it in the freezer. Once the water is frozen, take out the can and use a nail and hammer to create holes in the side of the can. The block of ice inside should keep the sides of the can from buckling under your hammering.
Mini-Cake Pans
Tuna cans are the perfect size to cook up small little cakes. Take off the labels and clean the can thoroughly, inside and out. Grease the inside of the can and spoon in the cake batter. When spooning in your cake batter, make sure to only fill them half way. Use the same cooking instructions you would for a metal pan. After it is done baking, gently run a butter knife around the edge and shake out your little can cake. Frost or sprinkle w/powdered sugar. Eat and enjoy.
