I recycle them, but was thinking there must be lots of crafty ideas for using them. What do you make with them? Got any suggestions? Got any pictures of things you have made with them. Got directions to share projects? Maybe we should come up with some kind of project and then compare projects and directions. Any takers? or any projects to suggest?

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Posted by: Patti E. Wisconsin USA
-- 2004/2/10 2:24 p.m.
This picture is what I made a few years ago from coffee cans.

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Posted By: Michigan Froggy
Date: 2004/2/9 5:54 a.m.
Rhonda, You can cover them with just about anything, contact paper, decoupage pretty pictures, fabric, cardboard, yarn, jute, felt, to make a pencil holder or other desk accessory. And don't forget those tin can people. I need to make one this year for my brother. He thinks they are so cool.

Large coffee cans you can take the bottom out of 2 and then tape them together (I use duct tape) and then cover them for a pretty toilet paper holder for you bathroom. You can even glue silk flowers on it or the lid. I save an extra lid to put on the bottom to prevent rust stains on the floor. I made one that was covered with terry cloth and had elastic at the top and bottom so it could be removed for laundering. Coffee cans are also great to cover to store things, and then just put a label on it so you know what's inside.

Or when you are crocheting or knitting with a ball of yarn, put the yarn in a can to keep it from rolling everywhere. You can also make Luminaries like Donna said using an ice pick, nail or old phillips screwdriver to make the holes, or you can use a drill. I even drill two holes at the top so I can put a wire through to hang them.

Another good idea is to glue them together using goop or liquid nails and use them on your desk or work area sitting sideways, to keep little things organized. You can spray paint them or cover them however you want. Or attach several big ones together and put a handle of some sort...rope or wire and use it as a garden caddy to carry your small garden tools you will need, seed packets, gloves, even a bottle of water for you, in the cans. Okay, who's next?



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Posted By: donna in nc
Date: 2004/2/9 1:37 a.m.
you could make a tin can man or freeze water in them and take an ice pick and punch a design in them let them thaw and you have a great little luminary to hang up. just let your imagination run wild.


Re: tin can lanterns
Posted By: Roxanne
Date: 2003/4/10 3:44 p.m.
Tin Can Lanterns
Radiant, flickering lanterns decorated with patterns of punched holes are simple and stunning gifts. All you need are clean tin cans,(different sizes) paper bags, pencil, tape, towel, hammer and nail (one small and one large nail) and small votive candles in glass jars.

1...To make it easier to pierce the tin cans, first fill them with water to 1/4 in. below the rim and place in the freezer for 1 to 2 days.

2...Cut a strip from the paper bags that will fit around the outside of the can. Draw a pattern or design that you like on the strip of paper.

3...Remove the cans from the freezer and tape the strip around the can.

4...Place the can on a towel (to absorb any melted water and as a cushion) and hammer evenly spaced nail holes through the lines of the pattern you drew using both small and large nails randomly.

6...Remove your paper design and Place the candle with glass holder inside the tin can. Now you can use your own imagination. You can spray paint the cans after putting in the holes any color to match your decor or holiday theme. Or you can make a hole in the bottom to string electric christmas lights from one to the other tin lantern

Tobacco container Recycle craft
Posted By: Hazelanne
Date: 2003/4/10 3:44 p.m.
I was out today shopping and drove by a house that had the neatest recycle lights. They took a string of lights and put one light in each container in what looked like the containers that people buy loose tobacco in.The containers are white plastic. Not sure how they put the lights in. Maybe a notch at the rim of the container or a hole for the light to fit into.The tops of the containers screw on.The containers were different sizes .They had the lights lining the side of the driveway held up by poles at intervals. I hope this makes sense!

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Posted By: Michigan Froggy
Date: 2002/12/14 12:41 a.m.
In Response To: Froggy ! Recycle craft (Hazelanne)
That sounds neat Hazelanne. Did they have holes in the containers for the light to shine through? I'm thinking it would look cool to maybe punch holes with a small nail in each one...in different shapes, like bells, trees, stars... That would look neat. Thanks for posting this idea. Now I'm gonna have to find some of those containers, since we don't chew tobacco.

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Posted By: Hazelanne
Date: 2002/12/14 1:49 p.m.
In Response To: Re: Froggy ! Recycle craft (Michigan Froggy)
I checked it out and what they did was cut a small notch under the threads of the container ,put in a medium light and screwed the top back on.You need the lights that are in a straight line.The cover holds the wire and the light in place.Every 2nd light was covered with black tape so it wouldn't show when lit.This gave a nice space between the containers.And you were right, they would look pretty with a design.I guess you would do that the same way as the cans.

Any kind of plastic container with a screw on top would work.They used all different sizes.They would make nice patio lights too.I have seen the tobacco cans at the Salvation Army store and at garage sales.I have a garbage bag full that my aunt had .No time to try it this year but will work on it after Christmas.

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