Happy Friday, friends! We’re in the homestretch of the Christmas holiday now, and I’m STILL making little gifts. Today I came up with this idea to make some metal-work ornaments. Wanna see?
Craft Metal + Nestabilities Dies + Bic Mark-It + Tools = Awesome!
I made this with craft tin, but you could just as easily use recycled soda can aluminum. Start with a basic shape- I used my Spellbinders Nestabilities dies with my Grand Calibur to cut them easily.
I used an embossing folder to add instant texture.
For this bird version, I then embossed the shape using a Cuttlebug folder. To make it really POP, I colored the de-bossed side with Bic Mark-It markers. (Read my review of them here.) Since they work on non-porous surfaces, they are optimal for metal crafts. And oh, how luminous these colors are:
Next, I decided to free-hand a design on a bird shape & hand-tool it so that it was 3-D. (I used assorted metal tools for this.)
Then I colored it in with my Bic Mark-It Markers and let them dry.
You can blend the colors with a bit of alcohol.
In the meanwhile, I cut an extra birds shape from embossed craft metal and from adhesive backed foamies. I peeled off the backing on the foamies and layered it in between the two layers of embossed metal. (I used The Best Glue Ever to glue the non-adhesive side.)
Adhesive-backed foamies help keep the tin's shape.
I placed a ribbon hanger in there, and voila- a hand-tooled ornament suitable for any season!
For this version, again, I free-handed my design. I started in the middle, with the heart, and worked my way out. When I was done tooling, I colored the design with my Bic Mark its and punched some holes. This piece will get mounted on a journal.
These other piece s could be sweet little embellishments for a card or…hmmm. Not sure yet!
If you’d like to try these yourself, I can make it a little easier on you- I have a set of Bic Mark-its to give away, courtesy of Bic. You have not ONE, but TWO chances to enter this giveaway. The first is to leave a comment on this post sharing what you like to make with markers. The second is to head on over to the Bic Mark it Facebook page and “like” it- then come back over here to tell us that your a fan!
The fine print: Contest is open to US residents only. Winner will be chosen at random on Monday, Dec (( around 12PM EST. Winner to be verified by Bic and prize will be shipped directly from them. Thanks, Bic!
This giveaway is closed- thanks for reading!
December 17, 2010 at 10:28 am
Karen, I did a post for CraftsUnleased on how to recycle soda cans, including how to cut them apart. Check this: http://www.craftsunleashed.com/index.php/seasonal/decorations/recycle-craft-soda-can-brooches/ Thanks for asking!
December 17, 2010 at 7:30 am
I have a bunch of already cut cans that I was using to make faux tintypes.
Now I know what to do with the rest of them. These look so cute and easy. Thanks!
I’m already a fan of Bic Mark It on Facebook!So I only get one chance to win!
December 17, 2010 at 7:36 am
Not true, Sharon! Post a second comment stating that you are already a Fan- two comments, two chances!
December 17, 2010 at 8:34 am
This really is a good idea! Birthday decorations, maybe a banner, comes to mind…I love the idea of embossing metal and coloring with these markers. Thank you!
December 17, 2010 at 9:28 am
Oh, these are so pretty!! I hope I win because the kids would love making these.
December 17, 2010 at 10:05 am
Do I understand that you Die Cut your cans with your Grand Caliber? How else would you cut the cans and handle the sharp edges. Sort of new to this and could use some advice. Thanks
December 17, 2010 at 10:12 am
These are gorgeous! Love them!!! Mark-It’s are the BEST!!!
December 17, 2010 at 10:12 am
Oh, and I’m already a Bic Mark-It’s Facebook fan, LOVE my Mark-It’s!!!
December 17, 2010 at 10:28 am
I’m a fan of Bic Mark-It’s on FB.
December 17, 2010 at 10:31 am
I’m not sure what I would make specifically. They’re useful for so much. I would probably use them to embellish various crafts. I’m going to have to try your ornaments, though. They look awesome! Thanks for the giveaway!
December 17, 2010 at 11:26 am
Your ornaments are beautiful! I’d love some Bic markers to use on metal.
iamvictorias at gmail dot com
December 17, 2010 at 1:12 pm
Jenny, great idea to mount these on foam for more 3-D “pop” and stability. Another suggestion for folks doing this with kids or others w/special safety needs: try the softer aluminum baking tins from the grocery store. I have been working metal a lot lately with kids and in adult/medical facility and have had sketchy results (heh!) with other pens~ can’t wait to try the Bic Mark-its!
December 17, 2010 at 1:32 pm
Thanks so much for the baking-tin tip, Jenna!
December 17, 2010 at 1:53 pm
I like to make drawings and paper crafts with markers. I love the colorful Sharpie permanent markers but I have not tried Bic markers yet.
December 17, 2010 at 1:55 pm
I am now a Facebook fan of Bic Mark-Its!
December 17, 2010 at 3:04 pm
I love making ornaments with markers. These would work really well!
December 17, 2010 at 3:05 pm
I am now a fan of Bic Mark-Its on Facebook!
December 17, 2010 at 3:46 pm
I think the bird is beautiful Kind of reminds me of some Mexican ornaments I have. Great idea!!
December 17, 2010 at 6:54 pm
Those are so pretty! Looks like a great craft idea for my children.
December 18, 2010 at 12:49 am
I’ve never heard of these, markers that write on nonporus surfaces?! How GREAT is that!
December 18, 2010 at 6:37 am
What *can’t* you use markers on?! I start with cards and go from there.
December 18, 2010 at 6:38 am
And I “liked” the Bic page. Thanks!
December 18, 2010 at 9:02 am
I like to use markers for journaling and on scrapbook pages! Thanks!
December 18, 2010 at 10:17 am
Already a fan of BIC.
December 18, 2010 at 10:19 am
Pick me! Pick me!
December 18, 2010 at 4:39 pm
Totally cute, Jenny!!! Love them!
December 18, 2010 at 4:40 pm
Already a fan of Bic Mark-it!!
December 18, 2010 at 2:32 pm
ADORABLE! I love the embossed ones!
Pick me pick me!
December 18, 2010 at 3:30 pm
Amy- metal ornaments and art from Mexico were exactly my inspiration- good eye! *wink*
December 18, 2010 at 5:44 pm
Wow would love to win a set of the Bic Mark Its and have fun playing with them!
December 18, 2010 at 5:44 pm
I’m a follower of Bic on Facebook too!
December 19, 2010 at 4:05 am
Nice bright colors, they look fun to work with.
December 19, 2010 at 4:06 am
I just had to “like” the Bic Mark It page on Facebook!
December 20, 2010 at 7:09 am
I *love* these markers! Such great colors.
December 20, 2010 at 7:17 am
I’d love these! I’d use them to try and make jewelry, which is something I’ve been drying to try but waiting until after the holidays.
December 20, 2010 at 7:18 am
I just LIKED Bic Mark-It on facebook! What a great idea from BIC!!!!
December 20, 2010 at 7:28 am
Wow! Who’d a thunk ornaments outta pop cans????? I think I’d love to make a variety of christmas trees all blinged out to go on our ‘big tree’. How fun!
December 20, 2010 at 7:29 am
I *liked* the Bic FB page
December 20, 2010 at 7:53 am
Jenny, these look great and yet another great use for the nestabilities die-cuts!! I use my bic permanent markers for creating overhead transparencies for my science class (yes unfortunately in Strongsville we still use overhead projectors instead of 21st century technology like most other schools). I love the variety of colors and the color intensity because even the lighter colors still show up on the projector and my kids can read them better than that ‘other’ brand of permanent markers.
December 20, 2010 at 8:04 am
I use markers to draw on glass ornaments for the tree.
December 20, 2010 at 8:05 am
I’m already a fan of Bic on facebook.
December 20, 2010 at 8:54 am
I love using markers. We use them from everything from cards to signs for our shows. Our youngest daughter who is 30 has to be supervised even today because when she picks up a marker no surface is safe. i expect to see her 8 month old marked with her name any day now.
December 20, 2010 at 8:57 am
I’m a fan!!!!
December 23, 2010 at 3:57 pm
I’d love these! I’d use them to try and make jewelry, which is something I’ve been drying to try but waiting until after the holidays.
December 25, 2010 at 6:48 pm
How GREAT is that! Thanks so much for the baking-tin tip!
Sabine