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summer diy | tin can lanterns

by Filed Under: candles, diy, lighting, summer 29 Comments

tin can lanterns

Last year we redesigned our patio area. It was originally our swing set area that we converted to a patio and it’s been our go-to place to hang out when we’re outside. Click here to see all the details on the patio redesign.

The patio was a project we didn’t really budget for so we had to keep costs way down. I love a budget-friendly project – it’s like a creative challenge for me and I get so determined to find great solutions on a budget. One project I did was to use tin cans {ie. from canned vegetables, etc.} to make funky outdoor lanterns. An easy and budget-friendly upcycle project – win, win, win! These were such a big hit that I decided to add to my collection and I made some more this weekend. So I thought it would be a good idea to share this DIY post with you in case you missed it last year. Plus you can’t have too many summer lanterns. And the bonus is that you can use citronella candles and these double as bug repellents. This is a project that the more you make the better they all look – I’ve got a bunch in small groups all around our patio and pool area and they look so good in groups!

Here are the instructions on how to make these simple but fun tin can lanterns: 

materials:

materials

tin cans {left over from pasta sauce, canned vegetables, etc.}
hammer
nails
spray paint
sand
candles {regular or citronella}
wire if you want to hang them

Steps:

1. Collect random tin cans, remove the labels and clean throughly. You can use goo-gone to remove any left-over glue. Or once the can is frozen {see step 2}, I  just chipped away at the frozen glue and it came off fine.

frozen

2. Fill cans with water and freeze. This will help your can to keep it’s shape.

can no holes

3. Once the water is frozen, take the can out of the freezer and place it on a solid surface. To help prevent it from rolling around, I took a dish towel and shaped it in a circle and placed the can in the middle of the towel. Not fool-proof, but it helps.

hammering

4. Use your hammer and tap a nail into the can to create your design {FYI – it’s pretty easy to hammer through the tin}. You have several options for a design: you can use a sharpie and place dots on the can to first sketch your design, you can print out a picture and tape it to the can or you can just wing it – which is what I did. I decided to do some with a leaf pattern but I also did a few with just a random pattern of dots. You can even use different size nails to create some variation in your designs too.

spray paint

5. Once your design is done, spray paint the can your desired color. I love the natural tin finish but it will rust. So I did a few in color and then used silver spray paint to preserve the tin look. I also painted a few with metallic gold because, well, it’s gold! I would recommend turning the cans upside down to spray them to prevent spraying the insides. live and learn.

with candle

6. Apply a few coats of paint if needed. Once dry, add sand and a candle. You can also add 2 more nail holes on equal sides of the can and string a wire through them and hang them on a tree branch or from an umbrella.

finished 2

7. Light and enjoy!

“Light up” your summer nights too with these fun lanterns – that are oh-so budget friendly! Enjoy!

Comments

  7. Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful creativity on The Inspiration Board at homework. I loved your project and featured you today!
    Have a wonderful and creative day!
    carolyn ~ homework

    Reply

    • Thanks so much Carolyn! You blog is truly and inspiration and I love your link parties. I’ll keep linking!!

      Reply

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