Upcycle Tin Cans
Here’s an idea to upcycle tin cans for Valentine’s flowers or plants. I love taking something ordinary and making it beautiful. The result is still rustic, but with just a little stripe of gold, an ordinary tin can become a perfect vessel for some flowers or plants.
Here’s What You’ll Need:
- Tin cans in various sizes washed and with labels removed.
- Gold leaf paint
- Small foam brush
- A lid from a jar or a small paper plate
- Flowers or small plants (a 4″ nursery plant fits perfectly in a 28-ounce can)
Is this a project that kids could do?
The project is easy enough for kids, but the gold leaf paint smell is pretty strong. I would do this project outdoors in the fresh air and use gloves. I would not recommend doing this project with young children.
Consider using tape instead of paint if doing this project with kids
A variation could be to upcycle tin cans and decorate them with tape. It’s still upcycling something that would normally be tossed in the trash and making something useful and beautiful.
How we upcycled regular tin cans with some gold leaf paint
I’ve used this small jar of gold leaf paint for several projects. For painting these cans, I poured a little into a lid and then used a foam brush to paint stripes on the cans. I didn’t worry too much about accuracy. I could have taped the cans for a clean-lined stripe, but I just let the ridges on the cans guide the brush.
Gold leaf paint is surprisingly easy to use. It covers easily and beautifully. I learned this when painting clam shells.
A little gold leaf paint goes a long way. I could have painted the entire can, but I love the juxtaposition of gold leaf with the ordinary tin can.
For gift-giving, I used tags that I made from an old calendar. You can read that post here!
The Inspiration for Painting Tin Cans Gold
I was sure that I had seen gold-painted cans like this last September in Paris at the Merci store, but I could not find a photo (I was sure I had taken photos), but I couldn’t find them. And no luck finding them on the Merci website. I guess I’ll have to go back!
Painting Gold Leaf Stripes on Tin Cans
What else can you use them for?
Besides flowers and plants, you could store picnic supplies in them, pencils, or other office supplies. So what do you think? Too basic, or just right?
Let’s see what the others have come up with for Valentine’s Day!
You are so clever, Annie! I love how you show different ways to use the cans (like for your picnic set up and on your desk).
You are the best at seeing beauty in the ordinary! I want to be more like you.
I will check out Merci in a little over a week and report back 🙂
Thanks for organizing this fun group.
Very cute!!
Especially as party favors!
Xxx
Just when I think you couldn’t possibly come up with another clever idea you do!! I love the idea of using them to hold pencils etc on the desk! Brilliant! I think Summer would enjoy this project as well. You need a grandchild asap so you can teach them all your clever ideas!
These are so incredibly chic and stylish! I especially loved the striped versions! Is there nothing you can’t make beautiful??
Annie, you’re so clever and I do think you need to go back to France – right away – to investigate your inspiration at Merci! Love the multi-uses for these pretty, repurposed cans. I’m going to have a peek into my recycle bin! xo
Annie, This is a darling idea. I can’t decide what I like best, the flowers or using them around the house. They look so cute in the wooden box too for a get together. Love how the tags came out also. I still want to do that with my last calendar. I would love to make these for a summer gathering. They would be fun on the table!
Love doing this with you all.
xo
Thanks, great upcycling project and beautiful too.
May wait to go to craft store. -18 C Feels like -28 C this morning. 🥶
Oooooohhhh, that’s cold! It’s cold here today too, but nothing like -28º!! Brrrrrr!