DIY Network

Soda Can Art Soda cans become everything from purses to decorator accents. From "B. Original" episode DBOR-150

Light up your décor with soda can art.

Everyone’s heard of pop art—but Michele Beschen takes the term literally, creating fun accessories from soda pop cans. The B. Original host shows how to transform the humble aluminum can into a tote bag, brooch or lantern, and even gives ideas on how to embellish objects with your favorite soda cans.

Drink up, scroll down and get ready to B. Original.

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Soda Can Tote

Materials:

10 aluminum soda cans
tin snips
hole punch
crochet hook
yarn
yarn needle
medium- to heavy-weight fabric
fusible interfacing
purse handle (can braid from yarn)

	Figure A
	Figure B

• Remove the top and bottom of a soda can using tin snips. Cut down the length of the can and flatten.

• Tidy up the edges of the can. Michele Beschen also trimmed away the ingredient panel.

• At this point, you probably have a square piece of aluminum with two of the soda’s logos. Michele Beschen cut this into two separate pieces showing one logo each.

• Repeat the process for the nine remaining cans. Try to keep your pieces of aluminum as close to the same size as possible.

• With a standard hole punch, evenly punch holes all the way around the edges of each piece of aluminum (figure A).

• Crochet through the holes in each piece of aluminum, crocheting four rows out from the piece.

• Michele Beschen made her bag in a simple box style, with six panels for the front and back, three panels for the bottom and two panels for each side. Whip stitch each panel together, then line the panels with heavier fabric. Michele Beschen used fusible interfacing to attach the fabric.

• Whip stitch the lined panels together, add a handle and you’re ready to go (figure B). Play around with different sizes and styles for your totes.

Brooches

• Using tin snips, remove the tops and bottoms of the cans. Cut down the center and flatten.

• Cut the aluminum into various shapes and sizes.

• Use E6000 or Goop glue to attach small aluminum shapes to roof tinning discs. Once you’re happy with the design, let the glue dry thoroughly.

• Add a self-adhesive pin back to the brooches.

Embellish It

Using your handy tin snips, remove the tops and bottoms of your cans, cut down the center and flatten. Cut the aluminum into various shapes and sizes, and start wrapping! Use interesting colors, logo pieces or whatever parts of the can strike your fancy. This works especially well on wooden items; secure using tacks, staples or small nails.

Here are some examples of Michele Beschen’s aluminum décor:

Use them on kitchen canisters...

Over a belt buckle...

Or even as wall art.

Lanterns

• Cut your can from top to bottom in ½" – ¾" strips all the way around, being careful not to cut too close to the bottom or top. You can use scissors or tin snips for this; Michele Beschen recommends using a Dremel rotary tool with a cutting attachment.

• Carefully press the two ends of the can together so the cut ends jut out, giving the lantern shape.

• String wire and beads from the pull tab or drill a hole through the top to hang. Use some putty to stick a tea light in the bottom of the lantern, and you have groovy outdoor lighting.

RESOURCES :

Dremel Tools
Website: www.dremel.com