Another recycled craft using food cans! This time I’ve been crafting with handmade Christmas gifts in mind. I love how these turned out, they brought a little touch of Spring to my kitchen!

If you are giving these as a Christmas gift you can tie some Christmas ribbon around the top of the tin and pop on a gift label. It is also a good idea to give them with a saucer (I picked up a huge mixed batch at our local auction house for a couple of pounds!). These tins will naturally rust over time, a saucer underneath will protect windowsills and tables from damage.

These really couldn’t be simpler to make, but I warn you – they become addictive, you may find it impossible to throw away a ring pull bean tin ever again!

You will need:

• Ring pull food cans (I’ve used baked bean tins for the taller pots and chestnut tins for the squatter ones here)
• Acrylic paint (I used Windsor and Newton Galeria in Pale Olive, Pale Violet, Windsor Violet, Powder Blue, Titanium White, Cadmium Yellow Medium and Opera Rose)
• Paint brushes
• Cyclamen plants, primroses or spring bulbs
• Compost
• Small stones or gravel
• A drill or nail and hammer

Method

• Wash and thoroughly dry your tins
• Drill or nail punch a few drainage holes into the bottom of the tin (sand off any sharp edges if necessary but if you punch or drill inwards this shouldn’t be needed)
• Paint a base coat of acrylic paint onto the tin, allow to dry and then apply a second coat
• Once the second coat has dried completely you can paint on your flowers. I penciled my design on faintly first as the ridges in the tin can throw you off course so a guideline helps! Allow to dry.
• Sprinkle a layer of gravel into the tin, then some compost.
• Nestle your spring flowers into place
• Water lightly

Of course, if they are going outside, there is no need for a saucer at all!

Children love making these too so share the tin love!