How to Make Tin Halloween Luminaries
Add old-fashioned charm to the front yard this Halloween with homemade tin can luminaries. This DIY craft decoration can be made using any Halloween-related design you choose: from a black cat, to a full moon, a pumpkin or a candy corn. It's also possible to create the outside decorations to include short words including "Boo," 'Fright," or "Beware." Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Tin cans
- Water
- Freezer
- 4-inch nail
- Black marker
- Piece of standard paper
- Tape (any type)
- Big towel
- Hammer
- Spray paint in orange or black
- Tea light
Instructions
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1
Prepare the tin cans by washing them out and removing the exterior labels and glue. Fill the cans with water until they are three-quarters of the way full. Place the cans in the freezer until the water is frozen solid.
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2
Select a Halloween stencil from a website or draw a simple holiday design. Draw the outline of the Halloween image for the Halloween tin can luminary and hold it up to the light. This will help you decide if the image is right for the tin can luminary. Make any adjustments to the drawing or stencil using the black marker.
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3
Tape the entire drawing on paper or stencil to the can, while it is still frozen. Secure the paper to itself using the tape. It's important to have a piece of paper big enough to wrap around the entire can because the tape will not stick to the frozen tin can.
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4
Place the tin can, design side facing you, horizontally on a towel. As you work the towel will absorb the melting ice. Place the pointy side of the nail on one part of the design or stencil. Use the hammer to hit the nail and puncture a hole in the paper and through the tin can. Continue to make holes through the stencil to complete the design.
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5
Melt the ice using warm water or let it melt on its own in sink or outside. Dry the tin can completely. Decorate with spray paint until the entire can is covered. Add a tea light to complete the Halloween tin can luminary. Repeat the entire process to make more than one decoration for your yard.
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Tips & Warnings
Choose a Halloween design which can be recognized in silhouette form.
Freezing the cans with water makes it easier to punch holes in the tin.
The image should be small enough to fit on one side of the tin can.
Do not add too many details or close nail holes.
- Photo Credit Photo Courtesy of Nazreth Sxc.hu.
