Sardine Cans Make Great Craft Projects

If you like sardines, or know someone who does, start saving the cans from them to make some great craft and decor projects. The small, shallow cans are a great choice to make gifts, decorations - even toys.

Use a small cardboard box to contain several of the cans. The box should be approximately the same depth as the can is long, and should be wide enough to accommodate the cans. The width can be measured by the size of one can, two cans which are side-by-side, or even three cans, side-by-side. The cans stack easily upon one another and, upon placing them in the cardboard box, you have a jewelry box-type of arrangement that can hold everything from rings to beads. Stack the cans on top of one another in the box, first cutting the lid from the box and turning it on its side. Now slide the cans in one by one until you have filled the box with the sardine can "drawers". Glue on a bead, button or another item that can be used as the drawer pull. Paint the box or cover it with fabric, contact paper or even large stickers. The little container box is cute and unique - not to mention very easy to make.

Fill a sardine can half full of beads, bells or a combination of the two. Now use glue, which is appropriate for metals, to affix another can on top of the first. Cover the arrangement in fabric, if desired, to make a rattling toy that kids will love.

Use the sardine cans to make a hanging photo display. Poke a hole through the end of two cans, then poke a hole through both ends of one or two cans. String satin ribbon through the holes to make the sardine cans hang, one below the other. Now use decoupage medium to affix photos to the bottom of the sardine cans, which now becomes the front of the artwork. The cans could be painted various colors or even covered in fabric before attaching the pictures.

Glue the cans together, side by side, until you have several in a row. Now go below that row and form another row, attaching the second row to the first. Continue adding rows until the arrangement is as large as you want it to be. The compartments are perfect for holding costume jewelry, beads, change or assorted craft supplies.

Believe it or not, the sardine cans even make cool drawer pulls for the kitchen or bath. Paint them with metallic paints, or use them as-is. Glue them, flat side facing outward, onto the front of the drawer. When covered with fabric they look spectacular and no one will suspect they're sardine cans. They simply look like oversized yet unique drawer pulls.

Cover the cans in wrapping paper, scrapbook paper or even wallpaper, to make them look like bricks or blocks. Kids will have loads of fun stacking them and knocking them down. You'll find all kinds of uses for the sardine cans, especially when it comes to home decor. Use them to hold plants - real or silk, paint them and make a unique wall border or baseboard - even make a sardine can wreath during the holidays. Play around with the cans and you'll be surprised at how many different uses they really have. And if you eat sardines anyway, your supplies are free! Just save them up until you have enough for your next project, then get busy!