How to Make Ornaments From Aluminum Cans
According to the University of Utah, Americans throw away enough aluminum to rebuild the entire commercial air fleet in the United States every year. Be kind to the environment and beautify your porch, home or holiday tree at the same time with ornaments made from empty aluminum soda cans. The shiny interior of aluminum cans makes them perfect for festive autumn and winter holiday decorations to keep or give away as gifts.
Instructions
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Put on gloves and safety goggles. Make a cut just below the top rim and just above the bottom rim of the can with a sharp knife. Slide scissors into the knife slit and cut off the top and bottom of the can. Cut down the side of the can and roll it out flat with the shiny inside facing up.
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Draw a design on the flattened can with a ballpoint pen. Trace an object such as a leaf or use holiday cookie cutters to make festive designs on the can.
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Cut out your design around the edges, following the lines you drew. Recycle the unused aluminum or save it for additional ornaments.
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Use the nail to emboss the aluminum with details, such as veins on leaves or faces on animals or other characters. Gently scratch the nail over the surface, keeping it tilted at a 45-degree angle to avoid piercing through the aluminum.
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Pierce the tip of the nail through the top of the ornament to create a hole for hanging it. Thread a piece of ribbon through the hole and tie it off so that it makes a loop.
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Sand any rough edges or sharp hanging pieces around your ornament with a piece of fine-grained sandpaper or a sanding block. Rub the sandpaper over any areas you embellished with the nail to enhance the detail. Sand the color off the side of the ornament that was the outside of the soda can, or leave it for a more rustic look.
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Tips & Warnings
Use twine instead of ribbon for a rustic appearance, or hang your ornaments with clear fishing line to create a floating look.
Aluminum is very sharp. Do not run your fingers over the edges of your ornament, and always wear gloves when cutting aluminum.
