Soda Can Pins

Once you see all the beautiful pins you can make with soda or beer cans, you'll never throw another one away. The aluminum cans we normally recycle can quickly be turned into impressive, metallic jewelry, and you'll be proud to wear it. You'll never stop at making one, though, because it's just so much fun that it becomes quite addictive. Since each pin can cost just a few cents, that will give you even more incentive to turn those empty cans into jewelry for yourself, your girls, or your friends.

To get a piece of aluminum large enough to work with, pierce the side of the can, very near the bottom, then cut the bottom off with scissors. Do the same to the other end to remove the top of the can. Then, cut straight up the side, to open up the cylinder.

Since the soda or beer can will tend to stay curled, you can make the aluminum flat by using your iron. Fold a towel and lay the can out flat, the best you can. Begin ironing it with a hot iron. As you do, lift one end of the towel, and continue ironing. This will counteract the rolled design of the can. Turn the can around and do the same to the other end. When the aluminum is flat, it's ready to use for making the pin you want.

You can cut images from the printed side of the can, or from the other side. You can paint the finished images or just wear them so that their original labels show. Decide on the image you want and use a stencil, picture, or other template. Lay it on the preferred side of the can, and draw the image(s) you want. Cut them out with ordinary scissors.

There are no limits to the pins you can make. Cut a dolphin shape, the letter of your first name, a butterfly, a flower, or any other shape. In fact, you don't have to stop at one shape. For example, if you make a butterfly pin, you can cut two shapes - one smaller than the other - and stack them. Use super glue or even sticky, double-sided tape to attach layers of aluminum.

Fabric paints work great for coloring the pin. When you use metallic fabric paints, like bronze, gold, or silver, you can turn that cheap aluminum piece into something that looks spectacular. Use jewel-tone fabric paints and you can create gorgeous accents on the aluminum design.

Use super glue to attach a pin backing to the underside of your finished pin. You'll be thrilled at just how impressive it looks but be prepared - many people will ask you about your stunning - but cheap - metallic pin.