aluminum can jewelry

With a few empty beverage cans, you can make fun, colorful pieces of jewelry that look almost like enamel - but they're not!

This is an easy project. First, rinse the cans. Place each can on a non-slip surface, such as a folded towel, and make a slit with a box cutter, large knife or scissors. Once you have opened the can, the aluminum sides are easy to cut with scissors. It is best to flatten the sides for a while under a weight, since they will tend to coil up.

Using a piece of cardboard, cut out a few "windows" roughly 1x1 in. (rectangles, squares or circles) to help you visualize the piece of the can you would like to use. Mark the shapes with an indent using a pencil, for example, and then cut them out.

Roll out some air drying clay with a rolling pin. It should be at least 1/8 in. (3 mm) thick. Place your aluminum pieces on the clay and cut around them, leaving a ¼ in. (8 mm) margin. Fold this clay over to make a "setting" for the aluminum can pieces, like a frame. Dot the clay frame with little holes using a toothpick or pencil tip, and then rub a thin coat of gold wax over it.

Thread a needle with embroidery floss, hemp jewelry cord, or similar and begin creating your necklace or bracelet. To pull the thread through the aluminum pieces, insert the needle into the middle of one side and gently push it through to the side, sliding the needle behind the aluminum piece and being careful not to break the clay. Rub off the crumbs of clay and reshape your frame if necessary. String beads between the aluminum pieces.

Let the clay dry thoroughly before wearing the jewelry. Otherwise, the thread could cut through the clay. Clean any smudges of wax on your aluminum pieces with a cotton swab and an environmentally friendly cleaning solvent.