How To Decorate Special Tin Can Crafts With Clay Appliques

Can you believe simple tin cans look so pretty with just a little DIY? You may have seen some tin can crafts, but have you seen this technique? It’s so simple, you won’t believe it!

Supplies Needed for The Tin Cans

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1. Safe Cut Can Opener

Before you begin this craft, you will want to have a can opener that leaves a smooth edge on the cans. You don’t want to have to worry about cutting yourself or someone else on sharp edges. I ordered this inexpensive one on Amazon.

Use a safe cut can opener or pull-tab lids.

How To Decorate Special Tin Can Crafts With Clay Appliques — Use a safe cut can opener or pull-tab lids.

If you plan to use cans like these chili cans with the pull-tab lids, you won’t need the safe cut can opener.

2. Clean Empty Tin Cans

Choose whatever size and as many as you like! Be sure to wash the cans well and dry them thoroughly.

3. Paint

These little cans of Krylon Short Cut spray paint are my new favorite paints! They are much easier to store because of their small size! How many times have you bought a regular size can of spray paint for one little project? These are much more practical, too.

4. Tacky Glue

You’ll also need some strong glue for adhering the appliques to the tin cans. My favorite glue is Tacky Glue. Some people use hot glue. I’m not sure what glue is the best to use. For this project, I used Tacky Glue.

Supplies For the Clay Appliques

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You’ll need paper clay and your choice of molds. I found this Prima Marketing, Inc. flower mold on Amazon. Then, at the local craft store, I found this flower mold.

In addition, you may need an X-Acto knife and a cutting mat. The little cutting mat in the pictures below is from the dollar store and it is perfect for this project. I also pressed the clay-filled mold on the little mat.

Prepare The Paper Clay

This medium is so easy to use! Just pull off a little bit of the clay and play with a little to make it more pliable. Then, roll it into a ball or a snake shape, whichever works better for your mold. Press the clay into the mold.

First Attempt at Making the Clay Appliques

This is the first flower I made with PaperClay and this mold. The detail that this mold has and transfers to the clay is incredible. I did notice that a couple of the petals on the flower were incomplete. I didn’t press the clay into the mold as well as I thought. The back wasn’t completely flat either.

Then, on Pinterest, I saw another crafter press clay into the mold. Next, she turned the mold over on a hard surface and pressed the bottom of the mold against the clay. It makes sense that this process will ensure that the flower impression will completely transfer.

Cut the excess with an X-Acto knife.

Paper Clay Flower

These molds are very pliable and it’s easy for the clay to release. Just turn the mold upside down and bend slightly away from the edges of the shape. The clay will release.

Lay the clay applique face up on the cutting mat. If necessary, use the knife to remove the excess around the molded clay. If you use the scraper method below, you will probably not have to cut off any excess!

A Better Option – Use A Scraper

Scrape off the excess clay.

Remove the applique from the mold.

After making a couple of the flowers, I remembered a plastic scraper we have. It is perfect for scraping across the clay and removing the excess. You probably have something similar. An old gift card would probably work just as well.

This clay craft is perfect for those who need instant gratification! You simply press the clay into the design wells, turn the mold upside down and press on it.

Scrape across the clay in the mold, and then, release the clay from the mold. Now, the back is flat, too.

Applying The Appliques to the Recycled Tin Can

After making the first few flowers, draping them on a paper towel over a can, and allowing them to air dry, I glued them to the can. Even though the appliques dried laying on the can, they don’t lay completely flat against the can. Some of the edges are raised.

I could be upset over that, but some of the smaller wet appliques slipped nicely under the edges and the overlap is visually appealing.

Although I was skeptical about gluing the clay flowers to the can shortly after releasing them from the mold, I tried it. It takes a little bit for the glue to set because the paper clay is still wet. This means that the applique tends to slide on the can unless you have it balanced on the can and have the can secure.

A word of caution here, Dave and I had to go out.  I laid the tin can on its side.  After applying glue to the back and setting the damp clay shape on the tin can, we left.  When we returned, the clay shape had slipped down the side of the can.  It was still wet when we got back, so it wasn't a big deal.  Just know that it takes a while for the damp clay and the glue to set.

Paper Clay Appliques

Clay appliques glued to the tin can.

I did not try to glue the damp clay with hot glue. Maybe I should try that next time. It takes a little extra time to glue these because the glue doesn’t set up so quickly. Once you have some of the bigger pieces glued, it is easier to use them to brace some of the smaller ones. Just have patience.

Painting The Decorated Tin Can

After you have the tin can decorated with clay appliques, you will want to paint your piece. Although some crafters suggest painting over the wet clay, this appliqued tin can was allowed to dry overnight. When I painted this piece, it was a blustery day, not the best for spray painting!

After a few light coats of paint, I just wasn’t completely happy with the result. There was still a distinctly different look between the can and the clay appliques.

Fortunately, the Short Cut spray paints are primer and paint in one. To use acrylic paints on a tin can, you need to use a primer. Since the Short Cuts prime, too, the acrylic paint can be used over top.

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Stippling the white paint over the can and appliques leaves a much more pleasing result. For the stippling, use a stiff brush like this boar bristle brush. Use the bristles to reach under any of the raised edges, too.

Antique Your Painted Can

Apply antiquing medium to a small area.

Rub off the excess antiquing medium.

Use a little antiquing to paint over the clay pieces. Then, wipe off with a paper towel or old cotton rag to show the details on the appliques.

Then, spray a protective polyurethane to seal your project.

Don’t you love it? It makes a perfect vase for these pretty pink roses! Just imagine all the different colors of paint you can use to personalize your tin can craft!