Making tin can lanterns is a fun and inexpensive craft project for the whole family.
A fun way to display candles is in a homemade tin can lantern. They can be used indoors to add a warm glow to festive rooms or outdoors to welcome guests on a cold winter's night. Tin can lanterns are lovely, economical, and they're even made of recycled materials. If you're looking for a simple craft idea that will brighten up the darkest night, the answer might just be a homemade metal lantern. Remember that children must be supervised when making these candleholders.
Materials Needed to Make Metal Lanterns
- a tin can or metal pail
- one towel
- a few different size nails
- hammer
- spray paint
- thin marker or pencil
How to Make a Tin Can Lantern
- Fill the can or pail with water and place in the freezer overnight. Don't fill the can right to the top as the water will expand a bit during the freezing process.
- Use a marker or pencil to trace a design on the can. Try to keep it fairly simple when first trying it out. If you don't want to do it freehand, draw a design on the inside of the label or on a piece of paper cut to fit the size of the can. Tape it on so the design faces out.
- Use the hammer and a nail to punch holes in the can. The ice supports the metal so it doesn't dent or bend. It's best to lay the can on a towel when doing this. The towel helps to muffle the sound and keep the can in place. It also soaks up some of the water as the ice begins to melt.
- When punching, start at the bottom of the can. Once you start punching at the top the ice can break. You may also want to periodically put it back in the freezer to firm up the ice as it begins to melt.
- Once the design is finished being punched out, let all of the ice melt and dry the can. Then you can paint it a color of your choice (or leave them au naturel).
- Place a candle inside and voila!
Where to Display Tin Lanterns
These tin or metal candleholders look great when displayed just about anywhere. They're particularly pretty when used outdoors.
- Set them on the front porch to welcome guests
- Line driveways or walkways to light the way as people approach your house.
- Hang them from tree branches in the front and back yards.
- Place them around homemade ice rinks or on a winter al fresco table at a skating party.
- Line the front steps (just make sure there's still enough room for people to safely get up the stairs).
It doesn't get much easier, less-expensive, or more fun than making metal lanterns. They're the perfect cheap and cheerful decorating idea.
The copyright of the article Simple Craft Idea - Make a Tin Can Lantern in Crafts is owned by Lauren Flanagan. Permission to republish Simple Craft Idea - Make a Tin Can Lantern in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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