13. Tin Can Artistry

During World War II many people were learning to save things that had previously been discarded. Tin cans were first collected by the salvage committee. Later, when they were no longer needed for the war effort, other uses were found for them. Since sparkling Christmas tree ornaments were not available, other things were used to add glitter to the tree.

Just who can claim the first tin can ornaments I do not know, but the first person to show me this new kind of art was Mrs. Warner Nelson of Glencoe, Illinois. With very deft fingers, she cut and hammered many intriguing ornaments, including trees, bells, leaves, candle holders and picture frames, to name a few.

The tin can tree shown in Drawing 29 may be made from any size tin can. Ordinary kitchen shears or scissors and a wall can opener are all that are needed, plus a little time and patience. If you are not used to using your hands, then it is suggested that you try a small tin can first, such as a can for frozen fruit juice. The tin is thinner and easier to cut. The printing and color on the tin add to the beauty of the tree. The various steps are shown in Drawing 29.

First use a wall can opener. Cut out the top of the can and empty the contents. Turn the can upside down and remove the bottom. Then hold the can horizontally, put in the wall can opener and completely cut off the rim. The next and final cut in the wall opener is the last and important one. Each can has a seam, so put the can in the opener in a horizontal position, just this side of the seam, and cut around the can, but stop just before the seam is reached. This leaves the rim of the can attached to the seam. The rim will serve as a base or stand for the tree and the seam will be the trunk of the tree.

Take heavy kitchen scissors and cut the can down the center opposite the seam. Spread the two equal sides of the can flat. Hold your thumb through the ring at the bottom on the seam, then with the scissors make quick cuts, starting at the top on one side and cutting into the seam, but never through it. Cut in narrow one-eighth inch strips. As the strips are cut, they will curl. After the one side is cut, turn the can and cut the other side in the same way.

No. 29

Processes of cutting a tin can and making a tree. Completed tree trimmed with gum drops.

When the can is all cut into narrow strips, adjust the curls to make a nice uniform tree all around, also pull a few of the top strips upward to give more height and a tapered shape. Put a small gum drop or spice drop on the end of each piece of tine. The effect is quite amazing.

The ends that are cut out, may be fashioned into ornaments. The rim, cut off when the can is in the opener in a horizontal position, may be wrapped with red Scotch tape. Only one rim will be removed from a tin that is made into a tree, but you can fasten together two of similar size, as with the embroidery hoops (Drawing 12), and decorate them with a small bell, sprig of mistletoe or green. Where they are hung will depend on the size of the rims, but all sizes will do for the Christmas tree.

It is soon learned, when cutting strips of tin for the tree, that short quick cuts cause the tin to curl and that some tins respond better to cutting. Experience also reveals that certain tins, such as those used for packing beer, fish products and fruits, usually have the most sparkle. The two-tone effect of some tins, gold on the inside and silver outside, is effective.

Drawing 30 shows the steps taken in cutting tops and bottoms for ornaments. It is always well to quarter the circle first, never cutting all the way through. Then cut into eighths or even smaller segments if desired. Just cutting the corners off every other piece, and pulling one forward and pushing the other back will give a very nice three-dimensional effect. For a change the corners may be rolled over a nail with a pair of pliers. This will add distinction to the ornament, as appears in the top right of Drawing 30. To have curls in the center, make short quick cuts, cutting narrow strips into the center but working from the left side to the right. If the strips are cut working from right to left, the curls will all go backward on the rear side, due to the shape of the scissors.

To vary the ornaments, use two sizes of cans and different colors, gold and silver. The snowflake pattern, and the Madonna (Drawing 30), were made this way. The two tins may be held together by making two holes close together and through the center of each. To do this place the tin discs on a block of wood and use a strong nail to drive through and make a hole. Fasten the two together with Christmas tree hooks.

Sequins fastened on the tin with a drop of Duco cement will cover the wire. There are endless possibilities for decorating these ornaments. Even pieces of broken Christmas balls retain their luster and may be used to brighten the centers or tips. Many odd pieces of costume jewelry or old beads may be glued or else fastened or held in position with tin curls, in order to add distinction. Patterns may be made with the hammer and nail, making dents, not holes. Different effects are created by hammering from the top side down or the bottom side up. Two rows of such nail dents evenly spaced remove the sometimes flat appearance of an ornament.

No. 30

Methods of cutting tin discs to make Christmas tree ornaments; picture frame in center and candle holder at the left.

The candle holder (Drawing 30, bottom, second from left) was made by cutting three discs. The largest one formed the bottom or base. The spaces between the flat segments were left by pieces cut into curls which serve to hold the discs together. The two smaller discs were cut uniformly all around the edges. The three pieces were then pushed together, one within the other, and appear as a unit. Here again a gold center against the silver will add contrast.

There is no end to the possibilities of these tin creations. One only has to have imagination, ingenuity and the time and patience to make these fascinating, colorful, sparkling ornaments.

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