Upcycled Tin Can With Decorative Top

7 Materials
$5
8 Hours
Easy

I love upcycle projects! For this one, I get to shop my stash to upcycle something from it and not have to go out and buy anything - so it's a win win for me! Let me tell you I have lots and lots of discarded cans and bottles! I am very thankful that I have a good natured hubby who never complains about all the trash - I mean, items I keep, lol! He is a very neat and organized person, while I am not! Our garage is looking quite messy right now with bags and bags of discarded containers - all being held for projects like this one. I knew I wanted to decoupage a tin can and I also knew I wanted to make a top for the can, too. Having a top makes it extra special and for a good storage item. And is definitely one way to help reduce household waste!

I wanted to make a top that would stand out and be decorative - something I just couldn't find on any projects on Pinterest. Oh, I've made a top before -  for a vase out of a styrofoam ball - which I thought was very cool. But this time I'll be making a top from a plastic juice bottle. Does that make you want to read more?

So let's get started!


Begin with a clean, dry tin can - removing all labels and glue residue. Place the tin can over the top of the plastic juice bottle and draw a line on the bottle around the top of the can. 




Use a sharp craft knife to cut along the drawn line to remove the top.

Use a sharp craft knife to cut along the drawn line to remove the top.


Then paint the can using white acrylic paint and a sponge brush. Apply two coats, drying between each coat. To make the bottom of the top, draw a circle on cardboard, using the opening of the can as a guide.



Cut out the circle using a craft knife and . . .




glue the base of the top onto the cardboard circle using RapidFuse glue.

Next, tear newspaper into small strips and begin covering the plastic top and base with mod podge and newspaper strips - smoothing down with a paint brush.

After one layer is applied, let it dry completely. Then apply another layer and let that one dry completely, too.

I used the top of a bottle of paint to place the paper mache top over it to dry. It was a perfect fit to allow the entire top to dry at one time.




While the top is drying, separate the layers of the napkin, removing the two white layers from the decorative layer.



Next, apply a thin layer of Mod Podge in sections beginning at the can seam and lay the napkin evenly down across the seam on top. (Sorry I didn't take a picture doing this)


Smoothing the napkin out. Continue applying Mod Podge and napkin around the can until covering the can completely with the napkin.


Use plastic wrap to smooth out any wrinkles before applying Mod Podge to the top of the napkin. A wet napkin tends to lift up or tear if smoothed out with plastic wrap.


Let dry completely and then add a layer of Mod Podge to the entire napkin area to seal and let dry.


For the top, because of the curved shape of the top, start tearing out (feathering) small areas of the napkin to use. Then apply a thin layer of Mod Podge to similar sized areas of the top and lay the napkin down on top, smoothing it out.


Continue adding feathered sections of the printed napkin layer to the top in the same manner . . .

until the top is completely covered . . .

including the bottom of the top. Although you can cover the bottom portion with one piece of napkin.


For a decorative look, glue on jute rope trim around the base of the top and bottom of the can.


Complete the look by adding a silver base (that I took off a rod) and a jewel bead from my stash . . . .

to the opening on the top.

Don't you just love a lovely upcycled project!


Suggested materials:
  • Tin can   (recycle trash)
  • Decorative napkin   (Tuesday Morning)
  • Plastic juice bottle   (recycle trash)
See all materials
Gail@Purple Hues and Me
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
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