Calling all Clever Crafty Hitchers!!!!

Hi

Found this website which may help

https://www.charlottehupfieldceramics.com/2011/05/30/diy-tin-lanterns/

or this one

https://www.weddingbee.com/diy-can-lanterns/

or lastly this one

/42939/diy-tutorial-tin-can-lanterns/

Hope this helps.

Thanks Karenanne - Some lovely ideas and dont they look great! but it seams like they leave the sharp edge on by looking at them - suppose thats fine if they're hung but ours will be on tables ect so a bit worried about the sharp bit and unsure how to smooth it... Hmmmmm

Could you not cover the rim with some masking tape if you're painting them anyway?

Would the masking tape not melt/come unstuck from the heat of the flame? I thought about suggesting covering the top of the can with some pretty material to 'hide' the sharp edge (I thought it'd look nice if the material was stuck on the inside of the can and then folded over the top to make a cuff) but then I thought it might be a fire risk!

I'm probably the wrong person to answer this (I looked at the post trying to gather knowledge as I'm so un-crafty!) but the first thing I'd try is using sandpaper around the top/inside to file the sharp bit down. Not sure if it'd work, but perhaps worth a go?

Good points, perhaps a metal file? We used these in school when we were doing metal work and I'm sure you could pick one up at any hardware store. Dull the edges with that? either that or some form of wax and a LCD candle rather than a flame one?

Oooo yes they are very pretty. I'm sad that I didn't think of something like this! ?

We're putting flowers in tin cans and bought a safety can opener (something like http://www.amazon.co.uk/Zyliss-E46101-Safety-Can-Opener/dp/B000WZF9L8) to open the cans with. It cuts around the edge of the can and leaves a rounded edge on both the tin and the lid so no need to worry about any sharp bits.

This is what I was going to suggest. My friend's mum had one when we were younger and they are really good. Makes a bit more mess with tuna cans because it cuts lower and you can't use the lid to press out all the brine, but obviously that's not really relevant here. Very smooth edges though, so definitely what you need here. I don't think a file of any sort would be any good really. Would be a lot of work to get it perfect.

Thanks guys - Some great ideas - the masking tape sounded good untill someone said about it melting! ? The can opener i think is probably the best route to go by the looks of it - didnt know you could get them! How hopeless am i?!

Off to google and shop!

Thanks again everyone!

xxx

Have ordered the can opener - will let you know how i get on and hopefully upload a picture when i've made one x