Juice Can Lid Ornaments

I first did this craft as a teenager with my church group. It is one of those projects that has stuck in my mind and I have used it multiple times over the years. I have done it as an activity during classroom parties, with my scout troop as well as at home with my kids. It is a great way to get boys involved in crafting because it involves a hammer and a nail. It is a little loud and it is a little bit dangerous but with proper supervision, it is a fun project that leaves you with a memorable keepsake ornament. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have!

Juice Can Lid Ornament Directions

Materials Needed:

Juice Can Lids

Shape Templates

Tape

Hammer

Nail

Block of Wood

1/8" to 1/4" Wide Ribbon

1" Wide Lace

Hot Glue Gun

Hot Glue Stick

1. Save the lids from frozen concentrate juice cans.

2. Print out a template for simple shapes that fit within the circumference of the juice can lid. My favorite shapes for this project are a heart, star, or snowflake. You could also do an initial.

3. Cut out one of the shapes, leaving a border around the shape.

4. Tape your cut out shape to the juice can lid so that the image is centered on the circular lid. Make sure that the shape is taped down in several spots so that the template does not move as you hammer out your image. Sometimes there are dates or other text stamped on the lid. Make sure any markings are on the bottom side of the lid or the side that you do not tape the image to.

5. Place your lid on top of a thick scrap piece of wood. This will act as a protection so that you don't hammer through your table or floor. Your piece of wood will end up with nail holes in it so make sure it is a piece that you don't care about.

6. Place your nail on the template and gently hammer your first hole. The harder you pound, the deeper the nail will penetrate the metal and the bigger your hole will be so decide how hard you want to hammer each hole and try to stay consistent.

7. Lift your nail out of the hole that you just created and move it to a new spot on your template and hammer another hole. Continue this process, tracing the shape as you continue to hammer a hole and move your nail along the outline of the template. If you spread your holes too far apart, it will be hard to recognize your shape. If you space the holes too closely, you may end up completely punching out the image, leaving a gaping hole in the center of your tin. Space your holes out wisely.

8. Once you are done hammering out the outline of the image, remove the template and tape.

---or---

Skip steps 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, and 8 and attach a colorful jewel to the center of your juice can lid. Hammer a border around the outside edge of the jewel and then hammer a few arms coming off the border to create the look of a snowflake. Still follow the instructions in Step 5.

9. Cut a 2"-3" length of 1/8" - 1/4" wide ribbon. Make a loop and attatch it to the top edge of your ornament with a dab of hot glue. This will be your hanger.

10. Cut a 9" length of 1" wide lace and secure it to the outer edge of the juice can lid with some hot glue to create a lacey border.

11. Enjoy your beautiful ornament for years to come!

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Photo shot with SHOTBOX and my Samsung Galaxy S5 Smartphone.

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