The holidays are upon us, and you know that with the holidays, usually comes delicious food… Likely, a lot of this food will be homemade. If so, you will undoubtedly incur a lot of food packaging waste. Some will have to go straight to the garbage (re-using Styrofoam meat trays is not cute), but a lot of it can be recycled… or better yet, REPURPOSED! (click on the link — you know you want to).
What turned me on to this whole idea in the first place was what I saw as I was walking down the streets o’ Brooklyn on trash day this past week. Lots of bags of trash, lots of recycling, lots of… “what is that??”
Source: 123RF.com
And yeah, I know… Recycling is good. But… UPcycling is fun!!! And think of it this way: Free materials! (because crafting supplies really can cost some serious money.)
So, I thought — and realized, after looking in my own recycling bin — that since a big majority of the food related recyclables are cans (think: cans of crushed tomatoes, pumpkin pie filling, beans, cranberry sauce, etc.) I needed to scrounge up some crafty-whacha-ma-call-its that require cans (you know, so I could sleep better at night).
Well… what could be a better place to look than Pinterest?
(I often turn to Pinterest in times like this…)
So, for your viewing pleasure, and hopefully crafting pleasure, here are my Pinterest finds — and some good ol’ fashioned Google search finds — that use cans.
(To redirect yourself to the original location of these ideas, click on the image. And if you really like these ideas, repin them yourself! Share the love!)
ENJOY!
Tin can table numbers. These would also be great with a monogram. Source: 100 Layer Cake I love how the inside is painted a different color and it shows through the numbers.
Tiered vase. Everything looks better when spray painted. Source: Sweet Paul Magazine
Cans wrapped in textured wallpaper. Source: Martha Stewart
Spray paint and florals. Yes, please. Source: Luna and Chloe Weddings
Tin cans for organization. Pretty... Looks like they just added lace, old sheet music or book pages, and some other stuff. Source: Shabby Chic Inspired
This looks like it belongs in my mother's crafty room. Source: Cynthia Shaffer
Tin can dog. I don't necessarily want one of these for myself, but it'd be great in a kid's room. Source: Martha Stewart
Tin can luminary. I smell an outdoor wedding... Source: Viva Terra
Tin can picture frame -- she just took the outside and unrolled it. Super creative! This would also be great if spray painted. Source: Gingerbread Snowflakes
Tin can votive. Pretty. Hammer and nails are magic :) Source: Charlotte Upfield Cermics
Herbs! These would make good teacher's gifts or wedding favors. Source: You are My Fave
This may seem a bit obvious, but still lovely. Source: Shibawi.com
Tin can mugs with bent forks for handles. Except for the pastel part, these would be perfectly at home on a camping trip (but I wouldn't know). Source: Recyclart.org
Hanging votive.
Tin can wine rack. Niiice. Source: Michelle Kaufman
Wall art. Or a great wall organizer. Source: Green Upgrader
Another tin can wall organizer. Source: HGTV
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Comments
Who knew there were so many fabulous things one could do with tin cans other than use them for target practice on my uncle’s farm in Fleahop, AL!? :D This post is way neat-o!!
My thoughts exactly! (except for the Fleahop, AL target practice business — ha!)
excellent! I love the whole idea and the photos help. I’ve always been crafty but this exceeds my ideas. thanks!
One warning. If you want to use the cans for votives do NOT paint the interior!!! The votive when lit will burst into flame and acts like a flamethower. Do not ever use an aerosol paint if the object will ever come in contact with fire.
Thanks, Teresa! I think the can above that is painted on the inside is just a table number.. . But definitely a good word of caution. Flamethrowers = bad news.
Good ideas. But I’ve never figured out why people still call them “tin” cans when for better than half a century they’ve been aluminum! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tin_can
Thanks, Anonymous! My guess is 4 syllables versus 1: A-LUM-I-NUM or TIN. Like pencil lead as opposed to pencil graphite. We’re all lazy!
Hello there! Would you mind if I share your blog with my twitter group? There’s a lot of folks that I think would really appreciate your content. Please let me know. Thank you
Of course!