Light up your patio and recycle at the same time with a tin can lantern. Use any size of tin can as long as a small candle will fit inside.
The old way of making tin can lanterns out of recycled tin cans was a very involved process. You had to wash out the can, fill it with water and shove it in the freezer so the water would freeze. Once the water was frozen you then had to try and punch holes in the tin can with a hammer and nail. If you were lucky enough to have a work table with a vice grip, it made the job a little easier. Otherwise you had to take the can outside and try not to whack your fingers or send the can flying across the yard.
The Cropadile Big Bite has changed all that. The Big Bite is manufactured by the We Are Memory Keepers (WRMK) company. The Big Bite is the second edition of the Cropadile. These tools are made primarily for scrapbooking to punch holes and set eyelets but also cross over into other crafts. The Cropadile punches a variety of materials such as chipboard, paper, felt, leather and tin. The Big Bite has a longer reach and can punch up to 6 inches.
With the Big Bite, now it is very easy to recycle tin cans into lanterns. It just takes a few supplies and a little time.
Supplies needed:
Tin can
Paint
Cropadile Big Bite
Sandpaper
Wire or Jute
Wash and dry out the empty tin cans after removing the label. Do not soak the tins cans because they rust very easily.
Punch holes in the can with the Cropadile Big Bite. It cuts through the metal smoothly and easily. If desired, you can punch an outline of a picture or just punch a random design on the can. Punch two opposite holes near the top of the can for the handle.
Smooth off any rough spots with a small piece of sandpaper. Use a small foam paintbrush to paint the tin can. It will probably take two coats of paint. Let dry thoroughly.
Cut a small piece of wire to make the handle. Insert the wire through the holes and bend the wire into a circle on the outside of the can to keep the wire in place. You can also knot a couple of pieces of jute for the handle too. Place a candle in the can and it is ready to use.
These tin can lanterns can be used on the patio or camping. Make sure the flame is never above the rim of the can. Always use caution when the lanterns are lit and never leave a burning candle unattended.