Tin Can Luminaries!

I love Luminaries.  I think they are beautiful and kind of ethereal.  I have a vivid memory of walking up a side walk in a neighborhood lined with paper bag luminaries.  I think we were caroling or something because I also remember singing but I was fascinated by the bags that were holding fire within them.  I knew the bags to be flammable and thought it was very impressive that they could hold the fire.

I have since figured out the magic of those paper bags and I will post that later.  Today I am posting some instructions on making Tin Can Luminaries (as promised).  I took a lot of pictures of the process because I am not sure how good my explaining skills will very good tonight.  Sorry if the pictures are out of order because I am still getting the hang of this program.

Materials:
Tin can(s) full of ice.  If you are doing several cans leave them in the freezer until you are ready to make it.
Empty cereal box opened up
Permanent Marker
A nice thick dish towel
Nails of several sizes
Hammer
Double stick tape
Stenicils (if desired)
Armature wire (if desired)
Felt
Tacky glue
Ribbon
Needle

Step 1

 Instructions:

1. Trace around the bottom of your can on the cereal box.  Cut out the circle on the outside of the line.  Set it aside.
2. Take your first can out of the freezer.  It's helpful to have a jar or something to put chipped out ice in.  It is easiest to work on your lap.  Lay the towel over your legs and place the can in the crevice that is formed.  It helps keep the can in place as you work.  Decide what stencil you want to use and stick it to your can.
3. a.  Using your permanent marker trace your stencil as many times as you want around the can.  b. If you are going to put a handle on the luminary decide which direction you want it to face and then mark the sides with a large dot.

4. 

   Step 2

   Pick a nail to begin with (each size nail produces a different size hole.  Obviously the larger the nail the larger the hole.  hold the nail firmly between your fingers.  put the tip of the nail against the can and use the hammer to hit the nail on the head (ha ha).  Obviously you want to hit the nail hard enough to poke a hole in the can.  Follow your lines punching holes in the can.  Use your artistic licence to decide how big of holes to use along the way.
5. Now let's get back to the cardboard circle we cut out earlier.  Trace it around it onto two colors of felt (or just one color you decide) and cut a short length of ribbon.  Let's make a lid :)
6. Glue one of the circles of felt to the cardboard.  Thread the ribbon onto the needle and knot one end.  Push the need through the cardboard side a little off center. pull through and then push it back down the other side about 1/2 an inch away (toward the center) so it makes a little handle.  Knot it off.
7. Glue the other circle of felt to the cardboard circle (obviously on the side that isn't already covered in felt).  If you want you can cut a little bit smaller circle to provide a little bit of a slide block.
8. Let the ice melt and turn the can upside down overnight to let it dry out.
9. If you would like to put a handle on, cut a 6-8 inch length of armature wire.  Thread each end into the holes you poked in step 3b.  Fold the end of the wire up to form a hook. 
10. Last but not least put a glow stick or LED light into your luminary and enjoy!  Be careful putting things in there because there are some sharp edges. Use the lid we made to cover the top so the light can only  come through the holes :)

Step 4

Step 3a

Step 3b

Step 5 - 7

Step 5 - 7

Finished product.

I hope you all enjoy making these.  Good night!

jnd