Crafting with Aluminum Cans
Recycle and Reuse!
I’ve shared many of the cards I have created over the years using beer or soda aluminum cans.
My husband drinks a variety of craft beers, and I’m always confiscating the cans afterward.
I cut the cans down and use the fun and colorful labels to create cards.
It’s good to recycle and reuse, plus they make great masculine-themed cards!
I used the label from a can of Black IPA from Santa Fe Brewing Co located in Santa Fe, NM.
My husband found this beer at our local liquor store located in Canon City, CO.
Having lived in NM for over 50 years, I immediately recognized the ZIA sun symbol on the can.
The Zia sun symbol represent the four cardinal directions, the four seasons of the year, the four period of each day (morning, noon, evening, and night), and the four seasons of life (childhood, youth, middle age, and old age).
It is the symbol of the NM state flag, but belongs to the people of Zia Pueblo.
What a great find with a striking image, and I knew I had to use it for a card project.
Here’s How:
- With a pair of tin snips or heavy crafting scissors, cut a slit from the opening of the can down to the top ridge. I use a pair of craft scissors from Stampin’ Up! This pair of scissors has cut hundreds of aluminum cans over the years, and they are still going strong.
- Cut along the top ridge of the can and remove the top.
- Cut down the side of the can. I usually cut down the side that has the brand and nutritional information.
- Cut along the bottom ridge of the can and remove the bottom.
- Discard the excess pieces and flatten what is left of the can.
- For this card, I cut the Zia symbol out using my Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine and a scallop square die.
- Attach to silver glimmer mat. Because I know traditional adhesives have a hard time sticking to the glimmer paper, I attached the pieces using brads at the four corners.
- Now for the greeting. Rub Embossing Buddy over Basic Black card base. Stamp greeting from Sweet Ice Cream using Versamark ink. Heat emboss using a heat tool and silver embossing Powder.
- Attach the card front to the base to complete.
This card is a great masculine-themed card, coming together in just a few minutes.
Crafting with aluminum can labels!
Take a look at beer and soda cans for their interesting and unique labels.
I guarantee, you’ll never look at an aluminum can the same way again!
The possibilities are endless!
Watch my Video Tutorial Here
