Tin Can Luminaries

Old soup containers can be recycled to make beautiful candleholders. The holes punched in the tin exude a warm glow from the candle within.

You will need:

• Used soup cans with wrappers removed
• Hammer
• Nail

To begin, you will need to make the can hard enough to pound without bending. To do this, either slide a tight fitting block of wood into the soup can to support its edges or fill the can with water and let it freeze. Once the can is ready to be pounded, decide on a design. (As an alternative to a soup can, cat food cans work great for smaller candles such as tea lights.)

Designs can either be drawn freehand or printed out from a computer. You may want to put newspapers or towels under the can if you use the ice method, as it will begin to thaw as you pound.

Pound your design into the tin can, one hole at a time. Try to space the holes evenly. When you have finished pounding, remove the block of wood or let the ice melt. (This process can be sped up by running it under hot water). Use the hammer to pound down any sharp edges or areas that may have warped during the pounding. Place a candle inside and watch the luminary glow.

There are many possibilities with this craft, don’t limit yourself to just one nail. Try mixing and matching nail holes of different sizes to create interesting patterns, or add long, thin marks from a flathead screwdriver.