Craft projects can get pricey. But let us tell you something you don’t know. You likely have unsuspecting supplies lying around your own home… specifically, in your garbage. After your next batch of chili, peel the label off that can of beans, and you have yourself some mighty fine crafting material. Not only can you turn those tin cans into stylish decor, they can be transformed into useful tools. Check out our favorite ways to upcycle those shiny silver cylinders.
1. Tin Can Cutlery Holder: Just what you were looking for! A shabby chic way to display utensils at your next potluck. (via Madame Criativa)
2. Tin Can Centerpieces: Your party-on-a-budget just got better. Spray paint some tin cans, throw in a few flowers, and an amazing centerpiece appears. (via Shelterness)
3. Outdoor Lanterns: Your summer BBQs are going to rock all night long thanks to these festive outdoor lanterns. (via Fine Gardening)
4. Decoupaged Tin Can Holders: Store anything you can think of in these cute tin can holders. (via Catshome for Deviant Art)
5. Tin Can Speakers: Since you’ve only got $20 in your pocket, you can’t afford a Jawbone to listen to Macklemore. But you can make your own speaker. (via Wired)
6. Nautical Rope Vase: So simple. So nautical chic. Wrap rope around it to make a vase for your next party by the sea. (via Bay Side Bride)
7. Tin Can Cakes: Cakes in all shapes and sizes! Make personalized cakes for the next birthday with tin cans, tall and small. (via Oh Happy Day)
8. Tin Can Grill: You’ve been craving BBQ meats but your landlord says no BBQs on the fire escape. What’s a girl to do? Make her own mini disposable grill, duh! (via Lifehacker)
9. Biscuit Cutter: No need to buy a biscuit cutter. Just use the sharp edge of your tin can. (via Sprinkle Bakes)
10. Hanging Vases: Step your backyard decor up a notch. (via My DIY Chat)
11. Herb Wedding Favors: Give your wedding guests something they can actually use: herbs. Plant them in tin cans, add cute tags, and voila, eco-friendly wedding favors. (via Ruffled)
12. Tin Can Drums: Make the little drummer in your life a customized drum with some leather and tin cans. (via A Beautiful Mess)
13. Tin Can Wine Rack: We used old coffee cans to create this color blocked wine rack. Cheers! (via Brit + Co.)
How will you transform your tin cans? Let us know in the comments below!
It can be intimidating to step out on your own and build a business from the ground up. As part of our collaboration with Office Depot, we're talking with Selfmade alum and solopreneur Colette Lawrence, the faith-based motivator and relationship builder behind The M.E.E. Movement, about ways in which women in business can find success.
B + C: How did you know M.E.E. Movement was your business to start?
The M.E.E Movement represents motivation, empowerment, and encouragement for women. It is what represents me. I did not know at first that it was my business to start, but then the thought of monetizing what I loved came to me. It scared me, however. I registered the business in July 2020 and have been slowly building my wings since.
B + C: What's one strategy that's helped you start your business?
Thinking through and researching what the requirements are to start my business, and then asking questions of people who are in the business. Not all advice worked; however, it helped me to figure out what I needed to do and not to do.
B + C: Did you always know life coaching would be your entrepreneurial path?
(Smiles) No, I did not. I 'stumbled" on it. I knew that people were always coming to me for advice and I found that I loved having conversations with them, especially with women, young and old.
B + C: What was your most valuable takeaway from Selfmade?
My most valuable takeaway was the first day of training: Get out of your own way. There were a lot of great moments and important takeaways from every presenter. However, getting out of my own way, pushing past doubts, was for me my most valuable takeaway. Doing something that I had never done before took courage. If I do not focus on what is happening with me mentally then I cannot deliver to my clients successfully.
B + C: What's one piece of advice you would give to female entrepreneurs on the brink of starting?
Get out of your head. You have something to offer. You have what you need to succeed so go ahead and do it.
B + C: How do you stay motivated?
I stay motivated by listening to music and listening to motivational speakers, and sometimes someone will just reach out and talk about the impact that I made in their life. That adds the extra juice or sauce I need to pummel through the day.
B + C: What's your best organizational tip?
Keep a diary and journal. It's the best way for me to keep organized and it also provides a source motivation as I record not only my "losses" but my wins as well.
B + C: Who inspires you in the entrepreneurial space?
Shirley Toliver – She motivates and empowers and makes me always want to show up.
B + C: What has receiving the Office Depot scholarship to Selfmade done to help you start or grow your business?
The scholarship was a blessing in that all the areas that were covered offered valuable information that I needed, from social media to HR. As a new business owner, I needed to know this to increase my own personal awareness in what it takes to run a successful business. The candidness of the presenters made it easy to see myself in their shoes and helped me to realize that I can also get there.
Thanks Colette! You can follow The M.E.E. Movement on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Want to feel motivated to take the next step for your business? Let Office Depot OfficeMax give you the confidence you need with a suite of business services & solutions to help you put your best foot forward. Make a good first impression with business cards & build the business pitch of your dreams with custom presentations. With Office Depot OfficeMax you'll find the tools to reach new customers with confidence.
Head to Office Depot's Selfmade page to check out even more amazing business resources (and discounts!) to help you accomplish more on your entrepreneurial journey. These offers are available for a limited time only, so be sure to take advantage of all this goodness while supplies last. Want to join the next Selfmade cohort this summer? Check out all of the scholarship details right here.