Halloween Crafts

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Halloween Crafts:

Jolly Golly Pumpkin Doll
Toddler Pumpkin Art
Halloween Luminaries
Recycled Lightbulb Witch
Egg Carton Bat
Pumpkin Ivy Bowl

luminary catluminary boo designluminary pumpkin

Tin Can Halloween Luminaries



by Jane Lake

It's easy to make tin can luminaries to light your walkway or front steps on Halloween. Add a coat hanger wire and you can hang them up, if you like. Just recycle those old tin cans and make a variety of Halloween designs.

There are two basic methods you can use for punching the designs. You can work directly on the tin can, using the ridges on the can as a measure to keep things evenly spaced. Or you can draw your design on paper first, then use the paper as a pattern by wrapping it around the tin can and punching directly through the dots on the paper.

You will need:

  • clean tin cans
  • votive candles or tea light candles
  • pencil, crayon or permanent marker
  • paper and scissors (optional, depending on method used)
  • coat hanger or sturdy wire for hanging (also optional)
  • towel and firm work surface
  • hammer
  • large nail
  • freezer
  • water
  • spray paint

    Instructions:

    halloween luminary 1. Clean and dry the tin cans, fill with water, and freeze overnight. The ice provides support for the can as you drive in the nail holes.

    2. It is possible to punch a design directly into the tin can. You can mark where you plan to punch the holes with a marker, because the lines will be covered by spray paint later.

    - If you are using a paper pattern, cut paper to fit around the can, then draw your design on the paper.

    - Remember that simple shapes are most effective for punched designs.

    3. Lay a thick towel on your work surface to absorb the melting ice and to prevent the can from rolling as you work.

    luminary face4. Place a tin can on the towel. If using a paper pattern, wrap the can in the paper and tape the pattern in place. If drawing the pattern directly on the can, use a fine marker (in the the same color that you have chosen for the spray paint) to draw the outline.

    5. Use the hammer and a large nail to punch the holes. If you're making a hanging luminary, remember to punch two holes at the top, on either side of your design, to take the hanger.

    6. Immerse the can in hot water to melt the remaining ice.

    7. Make sure the can is perfectly dry before applying spray paint to the sides and bottom of the can.

    8. If you want to hang the luminary, cut a length of sturdy wire, or use a length of wire from a coat hanger, and bend it into an arched hanger shape. Bend up the ends and insert them into the two holes that you placed at the top of the can.

    9. Place a votice candle or tea candle inside the can. Light with a long fireplace matchstick, or a barbeque lighter.

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  • 1-10 of 11 Comments
    jess jones – newtown
    Oct 21, 2009 - 13:55

    ive just made one they are seriosly very efecrive

    jess jones – newtown
    Oct 20, 2009 - 12:00

    Its cand of hard to not get the paper wet though.

    jess jones – newtown
    Oct 20, 2009 - 11:59

    i think its a wonderful idea

    Reply to jess jones
    donut – az
    Jan 06, 2010 - 16:29

    so what its easy

    Marilyn – myrtle beach
    Oct 07, 2009 - 16:02

    I am a new house wife on a strict budget. I love decorating for halloween and other holidays. These wonderful ideas make it much easier to have a cheap festive celebration. thanks for your great ideas.

    Martha McNicol – Cloyne, Ontario, Canada
    Sep 22, 2009 - 11:27

    These are great, fun to make and inexpensive ideas. I love your sites and visit them often. My grandchildren are five and eight. Your creativity keeps them busy for hours.
    Thank-you ! Marty

    Neppy – Tahlequah, OK
    Sep 17, 2009 - 20:46

    No need to wait til Halloween, you can make different styles for year round decorating. Works great for inexpensive summer night parties.

    Amanda
    Aug 23, 2009 - 07:45

    If you are using paper as a wrap, how do you keep it dry? How do you keep the ice from getting it wet?

    Reply to Amanda
    Jane – Editor at AllFreeCrafts
    Aug 24, 2009 - 00:05

    The paper is only a temporary wrap, to help you position the punch holes. Although you're right, the paper can get a little wet as the ice melts, but usually it will hold together long enough for you to punch a simple design on the can.

    Jacque – totalclasscreative.com
    Aug 22, 2009 - 00:14

    I cannot wait to try this come October. Such a simple, effective craft idea.

    Thank you very much, Jane.

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    Tin Can Halloween Luminaries





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      All our crafts are free for visitors of All Free Crafts only. Copyright 2002-2009 © Jane Lake All Rights Reserved. Do not copy, re-work or publish our crafts to your blog, group, or web site, by email, or in print, without written permission. Teachers and youth group leaders have special allowances. Please see TOS for details.