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Upcycled Holiday Bells Wreath

Give your empty cans a major makeover with this trash to treasure holiday project! No one will know that these beautiful weather worn golden bells started as a soda!

This project features these great brands:

  • FolkArt Acrylic Paint Logo

At a Glance:

Project #16770 Skill Level: Intermediate
supplies

Plaid Supplies

Plaid ® Color By Me™ Brush Sets - Flat Brushes, 3 pc. - 4931E

Number Needed: 1 $0.00
Item not for sale on Plaid Online.

F/A PAINTING TOOL - STENCIL BRUSH & STYLUS 3

Number Needed: 1 $2.99
Item not for sale on Plaid Online.

F/A TREASURE GOLD PAINT SET (4 COLORS)

Number Needed: 1 $28.99
Item not for sale on Plaid Online.

Waverly ® Inspirations Chalk Acrylic Paint - Cashew, 8 oz. - 60708E

Number Needed: 1 $0.00
Item not for sale on Plaid Online.

FolkArt ® Multi-Surface Satin Acrylic Paints - Licorice, 2 oz. - 2934

Number Needed: 1 $1.99
Item not for sale on Plaid Online.

Other Supplies

  • Aluminum Cans (i.e. Soda Can)
  • Wooden Beads
  • Optional: Sand Paper
  • Twine / Jute
  • Scissors
  • Glue gun and glue stick
  • Craft Knife

instructions

Bells

  1. Cut 3 cans in half. The top half of the cans, including the tab, will become your bells. Retain one bottom half to create the bell clappers out of.
  2. Optional'' using your sandpaper, dull the cut edge. Alternatively you can fold in the very edge using pliers or another tool.
  3. Using your hands and any nearby tools, pinch, scratch and generally “beat up” your cans for a weathered look.
  4. Base coat your 3 bells with chalk paint. Do not forget the inside and pull tab. Allow to dry.
  5. Coat your bells in Gold with multiple layers of paint, allowing to dry inbetween coats. Set aside to fully dry.
  6. Using a Stencil Brush, dry brush your other warm metallic colors and black onto your can until it looks weathered.
  7. Thread a foot long piece of twine through the soda tab hole. (see image or video)
  8. Thread both ends of twine through a raw wooden bead.
  9. Repeat for all three cans.
Clapper
  1. Using your retained bottom half of a can, cut out a rectangle approximately 2x3 inches. Repeat steps 4-6 on this rectangle and allow it to dry.
  2. Cut out long and thin rectangles that will become your bell clappers. See image for general size and shape.
  3. Carefully punch a hole in the top of each clapper. I used my craft knife and scissors for this.
  4. Cut a 4 inch piece of twine and separate the threads until you have one thin thread. Thread this through the punched hole in your clapper. Check your hanging measurements from the end of the twine to the inside of your can. Place a dab of hot glue on the inside of the can on the tab. Hold your twine to the hot glue until stuck.
  5. Repeat for all three cans.
Display
In the project video an upcycled frame is used which is painted with red chalk paint. Then glue some greenery and bell twine under a bow to create a modern wreath.

Watch a Video Tutorial

resources

Related Videos

Learn about FolkArt Premium Acrylic Paint

Learn more about FolkArt Premium Acrylic Paint by watching this video!

Watch this Video

Learn more about FolkArt Premium Acrylic Paint by watching this video!

Related Resources

FolkArt Formula Guide

FolkArt Formula Guide

Crafting a new surface? Learn which FolkArt paint works best!

View PDF
FolkArt FAQs

FolkArt FAQs

Frequently asked questions about FolkArt Paint.

View PDF

Related FAQs

Cool colors are all the colors on the Green and Blue side of the color wheel. Yellow, Yellow/Green, Green, Blue/Green, Blue, Blue/Purple, Purple are all cool colors. All colors on the color wheel can be both warm and cool except Orange.
Transparent colors are thinned with medium or water to create a wash or a glaze of color that you can see through to the underlying surface.
Warm colors are all the colors on the yellow and red side of the color wheel. Yellow, Yellow/Orange, Orange, Red Orange, Red, Red/Purple, Purple are all warm colors. All colors on the color wheel can be both warm and cool except Orange.
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Disclaimer: The information found in each project is presented in good faith, but no warranty is given, nor results guaranteed, nor is freedom from any patent to be inferred. Since we have no control over physical conditions surrounding the application of information herein contained, Plaid Enterprises, Inc. disclaims any liability for untoward results.

Important: Please be sure to thoroughly read the instructions for all products, paying particular attention to all cautions and warnings shown to ensure the proper and safe use of the product.

Copyright: All Rights Reserved. No part of this Project may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing, except for your personal use, except by reviewer, who may in reviewing this project, quote brief passages in a magazine or newspaper.