How to Make Lanterns with Tin Cans

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You may already know this about me -- I love a little garden flair. A little bunting, a little mosaic, a few mason jars go a long way to liven up the yard. In this video tutorial, I show you how to make one of my favorite garden decorations - tin can lanterns. This craft costs under 5 bucks, takes very little time, and looks adorable - especially when they get all rusty!

Just rinse out the can, fill it up with water (leaving about 3/4 of an inch of space from the top), and stick it in the freezer until frozen solid. The frozen water helps the cans keep their shape. Then, using a variety of nails to create different sized holes, pound a design into your can with a hammer. Don't forget to add two holes near the top on both sides of the can for the hanging wire. I forgot to do that on the first one and when I tried to pound them in later, I completely dented the can. Now it's resigned to be a table lantern.
I used some thick, but pliable wire to create simple hangers and used my needle nose pliers to bend a spiral shape into the ends of the wires, a feature that also keeps the hanger attached to the can!

I have the tin can lanterns hanging all over the maple and apple tree out front and when they're all lit, it's the most welcoming and cozy sight I've ever seen in the city. Makes me feel like I should have a porch swing!