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?
Disclosure- some of the links below may be affiliate links or links to reviews.
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.
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.
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.)
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!
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Jenny says
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!
Sharon says
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! 🙁
Jenny says
Not true, Sharon! Post a second comment stating that you are already a Fan- two comments, two chances!
Candy says
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!
Dana Kashubeck says
Oh, these are so pretty!! I hope I win because the kids would love making these.
Karen604 says
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
Mandie W says
These are gorgeous! Love them!!! Mark-It’s are the BEST!!!
Mandie W says
Oh, and I’m already a Bic Mark-It’s Facebook fan, LOVE my Mark-It’s!!!
Kathy M. says
I’m a fan of Bic Mark-It’s on FB.
Kathy M. says
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!
Victoria Sturdevant says
Your ornaments are beautiful! I’d love some Bic markers to use on metal.
iamvictorias at gmail dot com
Jenna says
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!
Jenny says
Thanks so much for the baking-tin tip, Jenna!
Helen says
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.
Helen says
I am now a Facebook fan of Bic Mark-Its! 🙂
Nancy Briscar Martel says
I love making ornaments with markers. These would work really well!
Nancy Briscar Martel says
I am now a fan of Bic Mark-Its on Facebook!
Amy says
I think the bird is beautiful Kind of reminds me of some Mexican ornaments I have. Great idea!!
Shellie says
Those are so pretty! Looks like a great craft idea for my children.
Bonnie says
I’ve never heard of these, markers that write on nonporus surfaces?! How GREAT is that!
Angela S says
What *can’t* you use markers on?! I start with cards and go from there.
Angela S says
And I “liked” the Bic page. Thanks!
Kelly Massman says
I like to use markers for journaling and on scrapbook pages! Thanks!
Vicki O'Dell says
Already a fan of BIC.
Vicki O'Dell says
Pick me! Pick me!
Jen Clark says
Totally cute, Jenny!!! Love them!
Jen Clark says
Already a fan of Bic Mark-it!! 🙂
Betsy J says
ADORABLE! I love the embossed ones!
Pick me pick me!
Jenny says
Amy- metal ornaments and art from Mexico were exactly my inspiration- good eye! *wink*
Barbara Moore says
Wow would love to win a set of the Bic Mark Its and have fun playing with them!
Barbara Moore says
I’m a follower of Bic on Facebook too!
Holly R says
Nice bright colors, they look fun to work with.
Holly R says
I just had to “like” the Bic Mark It page on Facebook!
kelliebob says
I *love* these markers! Such great colors.
Jen says
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.
Jen says
I just LIKED Bic Mark-It on facebook! What a great idea from BIC!!!!
Lisa says
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!
Lisa says
I *liked* the Bic FB page 🙂
Casey says
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.
Linh C says
I use markers to draw on glass ornaments for the tree.
Linh C says
I’m already a fan of Bic on facebook.
Theresa Bailey says
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.
Theresa Bailey says
I’m a fan!!!!
Brandy Miranda says
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.
Sabine says
How GREAT is that! Thanks so much for the baking-tin tip!
Sabine
ellen highsmith silver says
How did you deal with the sharp metal edges?
The results are wonderful.
Jenny says
ellen- since I used regular soda-can aluminum, the edges were not that sharp. And since I used a die to make the cuts, there were not little ragged edges.
Andrea says
What sandwich did you use for the embossing in grand calibur? I used raspberry and cutting plate and the embossing folder cut through the aluminum can – thanks!
Jenny says
I believe I used the embossing (rubber) mat… it was a long time ago! LOL!