The other night I was washing out tomato sauce cans. (I had made a large batch of pasta for my son’s party)  I got to thinking it’s a shame to let these beautiful big cans go to waste.  So I decided to make them into BOO cans.  It was pretty easy too.  I have gotten into up cycling things lately.  I have been hearing a lot about all the waste that is in our society and how minor changes can make major impacts.  I am not trying to suggest that my art projects are going to save the world – but if we all become more conscientious about the products we use and buy and how we dispose of them, that can make a difference.  A group of women and I are trying to get a composting program into our town.  WE went to see the pioneer program that another village in our county set up.  They are carting 4,000 tons of food scraps to a composting site a week and the program only started this year.  That is huge.  Anyhow, I find myself looking at items in a very unorthodox way now and creating some lovely things from them.  This new Halloween decoration is just one of the things I have done lately.

Materials:

Tomato Sauce Cans – washed

Awl – for hole punching (a nail and a hammer or a drill would work too)

Black paint and a paint brush

Battery operated tea lights

Results:

I think for the first time punching holes with an awl through aluminum I did a pretty good job.  I would try to space the  holes a little better next time.  I did crunch the cans a little with my thighs as I was making each hole, so the cans had to be reshaped.  If you have an actual tool bench I would recommend using a vice.  It was a little nerve wracking punching through the cans with my legs right there – it did take a bit of force to pop the hole.  It was easier to push through at the middle of the can than at the top or the bottom, so next time I might make my design accordingly.  I am very please with the turn out.  These could even be dressed up with some burlap and ribbon if you make the letters smaller.

What do you think?  Is this something you could see yourself doing? I would love to see your pictures.  Please post them on our Facebook page.