9 Amazing Ways to Repurpose Cans and Jars

REPURPOSED CAN

Let’s talk about 9 amazing ways to repurpose cans and jars easily. We all have these in our recycling bins so how about making these containers useful and pretty?

As an example, I have many empty cans of Caffe D’Vita.

By the way, I highly recommend giving this a try. It’s delicious and it’s my one indulgence every evening. It comes in many flavors too!

How to Repurpose Cans and Jars Quickly and Uses for Them

Ideas for Making Something New with These Pieces for Storage:

9 Easy Ways to Repurpose Cans

  • Cans and glass jars are perfect to fill with fresh water and use as vases flowers for centerpieces and home decor
  • Another example of upcycling glass jars is adding sand or stones with a tea light. This adds instant ambiance
  • How about using your jar to make a citronella candle?
  • Store makeup brushes on your vanity for easy access with your recycled item
  • Cut a slit in the can lid of the can and use it to save your loose change
  • Use the metal can or glass jar to put notes inside for things you’re grateful for in life
  • Of course, these recycled cans are perfect for holding pens and pencils on your desktop
  • Also storing craft brushes inside these containers is great too
  • Store cotton balls and cotton swabs in jars or cans
  • Additionally, if pieces have sealed lids store spices and herbs in bulk and add pretty labels
  • Lastly, if you sew how about making a pin cushion from one of the lids of this repurposed project idea?

I personally love white chocolate and hazelnut.

Now back to how to repurpose jars and cans.

However, many of us use these containers often. So instead of sitting in the recycle bin let’s make a useful piece for home decor.

How to Upcycle and Recycle Metal Containers into Useful Pieces

Let’s See What Technique I’m Using to Create an Upcycled Vase

Step 1: Using an Empty Caffe D’Vita Can for Flower Vases

Supplies Needed:

  • Annie Sloan chalk paint or this brand will work too
  • printer paper and inkjet printer
  • Graphic Images – these are some of my favorites and they’re FREE!
  • Outdoor Mod Podge
  • Chip brush
  • sponge brush for Mod Podge – optional
  • clean cans or jars

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I begin this easy craft idea by removing the label and giving the coffee can a cleaning.

caffe-dvitta-can
caffe-d”vitta-can-cans-and-jars
lable-removed-9-ways-to-repurpose-cans-ad-jars-can-cleaned
9-ways-to-repurpose-cans-ad-jars-can-cleaned

Now sand with a 220-grit sanding sponge. This roughs up the surface a bit to give the container tooth so the paint will stick well.

sanding-can
sanding-can-220-grit-sanding-spong

Paint the coffee tins with two coats of Annie Sloan Old White chalk paint or chalk paint of your choice.

painting-first-coat-9-ways-to-repurpose-cans-and-jars
painting-first-coat-9-ways-to-repurpose-cans-and-jars

painting-finished
painting-finished

Note: If you use acrylic one coat of primer may be necessary.

Note: For painting on jars such as candle jars, I suggest chalk paint or glass paint.

Print a Graphic Image of Your Choice

Step 2: Find a Graphic of Your Choice to Add to the Project

Now decide on a graphic image of your choice to add to your easy recycled can craft. Again, the link takes you to one of my favorite places and these vintage images are FREE! I also suggest signing up to follow this site because new graphics are added often.

Here I recommend cutting as close to the graphic as possible. I do this because I think it adds a cleaner look to your empty jar.

cutting-image-with-sharp-scissors
cutting-image-with-sharp-scissors

Next using an outdoor Mod Podge add it to the back and add it to the can smoothing the paper. By the way, I have a trick using plastic wrap to remove wrinkles from paper during this process for your simple craft project. It works every time!

outdoor-mod-podge-9-amazing-ways-to-repurpose-cans-and-jars
outdoor-mod-podge-protect-lable-from-water

adding-glue-to-paper
adding-glue-to-paper

Note: Why outdoor Mod Podge? Because if using these easy created cans for flowers water is involved. And this will keep the image from peeling from the can vase.

adding-image-to-can-9-amazing-ways-to-repurpose-jars-and-cans
adding-image-to-can-9-amazing-ways-to-repurpose-jars-and-cans
adding-outdoor-mod-podge
adding-outdoor-mod-podge-protect-label-from-water

After the images dry add a coat of outdoor Mod Podge to the outside of the graphic on this fast craft project. Again, this is mentioned in my note above.

finished-repurposed-can-9-amazing-ways-to-repurpose-cans-and-jars
finished-repurposed-can-9-amazing-ways-to-repurpose-cans-and-jars
recycled-cans-as-a-centerpiece
recycled-cans-as-a-centerpiece

By the way, you enjoy something different I made using the same empty coffee can as above. Guess what, this takes minutes to make and it’s so pretty. Check this neat vase I made and let me know what you think.

I hope you enjoyed seeing 9 ways to repurpose cans and jars easily. Can you believe how fast this craft project is to complete? Do you enjoy finding new ways to use pieces in your home too?

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Have a Great Day
Have a Great Day
REPURPOSE-CANS-AND-JARS-PIN
REPURPOSE-CANS-AND-JARS-PIN

Posts of Other Upcycled Pieces in Our Home

29 thoughts on “9 Amazing Ways to Repurpose Cans and Jars

  1. I love what you did with the cans Cindy .. I’m a great believer I repurposing jars and cans. I’m actually working on a can repurpose now!
    Well done I love how yours turned out!
    Teresa!

  2. Wow, Cindy! They are so pretty and I love the way you have them displayed. I actually just bought a new can opener that seals the sharp spots on top. I may have to try your DIY!

  3. Fabulous idea Cindy! I would not have thought to repurpose cans but they look amazing! I like how you used them to make a centerpiece! You’re always so creative! Take care, Donna

  4. Such a creative idea, Cindy! I love how you gave this coffee can a totally fresh and French feel. It’s totally fabulous! Hope your week has been filled with all good things, CoCo

  5. I’m a huge fan of transfers and decoupage, they make everything look so much prettier.

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