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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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!
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! 🙁
Not true, Sharon! Post a second comment stating that you are already a Fan- two comments, two chances!
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!
Oh, these are so pretty!! I hope I win because the kids would love making these.
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
These are gorgeous! Love them!!! Mark-It’s are the BEST!!!
Oh, and I’m already a Bic Mark-It’s Facebook fan, LOVE my Mark-It’s!!!
I’m a fan of Bic Mark-It’s on FB.
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!
Your ornaments are beautiful! I’d love some Bic markers to use on metal.
iamvictorias at gmail dot com
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!
Thanks so much for the baking-tin tip, Jenna!
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.
I am now a Facebook fan of Bic Mark-Its! 🙂
I love making ornaments with markers. These would work really well!
I am now a fan of Bic Mark-Its on Facebook!
I think the bird is beautiful Kind of reminds me of some Mexican ornaments I have. Great idea!!
Those are so pretty! Looks like a great craft idea for my children.
I’ve never heard of these, markers that write on nonporus surfaces?! How GREAT is that!
What *can’t* you use markers on?! I start with cards and go from there.
And I “liked” the Bic page. Thanks!
I like to use markers for journaling and on scrapbook pages! Thanks!
Already a fan of BIC.
Pick me! Pick me!
Totally cute, Jenny!!! Love them!
Already a fan of Bic Mark-it!! 🙂
ADORABLE! I love the embossed ones!
Pick me pick me!
Amy- metal ornaments and art from Mexico were exactly my inspiration- good eye! *wink*
Wow would love to win a set of the Bic Mark Its and have fun playing with them!
I’m a follower of Bic on Facebook too!
Nice bright colors, they look fun to work with.
I just had to “like” the Bic Mark It page on Facebook!
I *love* these markers! Such great colors.
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.
I just LIKED Bic Mark-It on facebook! What a great idea from BIC!!!!
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!
I *liked* the Bic FB page 🙂
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.
I use markers to draw on glass ornaments for the tree.
I’m already a fan of Bic on facebook.
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.
I’m a fan!!!!
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.
How GREAT is that! Thanks so much for the baking-tin tip!
Sabine
How did you deal with the sharp metal edges?
The results are wonderful.
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.
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!
I believe I used the embossing (rubber) mat… it was a long time ago! LOL!