Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Say "Pepsi, please"

and then you can use the cans to make art :)  Yep, I've been at it again, using those Pepsi cans to make die cut butterflies.
I'm back again with week two of our Frilly and Funkie Upcycle for Earth Day challenge.  For the Funkie week I decided to make a little wall decoration out of die cut butterflies and wire.  I've been to a few craft fairs lately and have been looking for metal work to decorate the walls of our new home but haven't seen exactly what I have been looking for.  This piece is fairly small, only about 12 inches high but it was a fun make and has me thinking about trying something larger.  I did find a place for it on the wall and it looks really nice.
I started by cutting the top and bottom rims off two Pepsi cans and also made a cut from the top to bottom, giving me two sheets of aluminum.  The sheets still want to curl in the shape of the can, but it's not a problem.  I used an old Cuttlebug butterfly die to cut the larger butterflies and the smaller ones were cut the the Tim Holtz Movers and Shapers Butterflies.  Next I sorted through my Texture Fades and pulled out a few that I thought would make attractive vintage type texture and ran my butterflies through.   A couple of cautions - be careful because the metal edges will be VERY sharp.  Also, when embossing, I put a sheet of copy paper over the top of the metal to diffuse some of the pressure on the metal because sometimes the metal will crack when embossed.  

I used 12 gauge black wire that I purchased at Jo-Ann's for the main wire and then thinner copper wire for the curling wire.  I painted the butterflies and the black wire with Vintaj Ancient Coins patina paints.  Most everything was painted with Aged Bronze but the butterflies have Antique Copper blended in also.  The Black 12 gauge wire was painted with the Aged Bronze.  The thinner copper wire was dry brushed with paints from the Vintaj Weathered Copper paint set.  I know I always say this, but I just love these Vintaj patina paints for altering metals.  I'm out of stock with the Ancient Coins set, I'm sorry to say, because I really sold on how they altered the Pepsi can and the heavy black wire.  I'll be restocking with my next Ranger order!  And the copper wire was really shiny and new looking before I took the Weathered Copper paints to it.  E6000 glue was used to glue the butterflies onto the wire.  I stuck it onto my wall with giant glue dots and that is a wrap for this week's Funkie upcycle project.  Please stop by Frilly and Funkie to see what the other designers have created with their upcycled projects - I'm sure you will be inspired to find something that would have been thrown out that can be made into a fun and/or useful piece of art!







These products used on this piece can be purchased at The Funkie Junkie Boutique:


23 comments:

Inkypinkycraft said...

Linda, I love your butterflies what a wonderful upcycled can!! Looks gorgeous! Hugs trace x

Jenny Marples said...

This is gorgeous Linda! Love the way your butterflies hover on the twisted metal. Hugs, Jenny x

Yvonne Garner said...

This is fabulous Linda! Wow!

Words and Pictures said...

What an absolute joy of a creation, Linda - a piece of wall art from nothing more than tin cans! I love the twisted wire branches as well, of course, as those gorgeous butterflies...
Alison x

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful creative piece of ART!!!!

Kate Yetter said...

What a gorgeous creation. Too bad we don't drink soda. I love the twisted branches & embossed butterflies. Lovely!
Kate

lilscrappers said...

I love it. I laughed when I read your post because I just flattened ten cans of pop to play with for this challenge. I think you are far more creative than I, though.

Maryanne said...

I love this, Linda! What a great piece of wall art. I love texturing metal with the texture fades and I love the Vintaj patinas.

Karen Buchanan said...

I love this! Metal art has become one of my favorites and I do love butterflies!

Rita said...

What a beautiful piece of art Linda. I love it. Hugs Rita xxx

Terry said...

That is one gorgeous piece of wall décor! Linda, I just love your upcycled Pepsi can! Love those butterflies! Hugs!

Michelle Gray said...

Love this project! I have to copy your idea. I even have copper wire and copper sheeting to make it with from years ago. And my husband wonders why I'm such a pack rat.
My mom collects art butterflies. I'm going to use your idea for Mother's day gift. TFS!

Anonymous said...

Wow Linda, what a fabulous project ! I love it ! This is something that I've been thinking about for ages but didn't know where to start. Sue C x

Marjie Kemper said...

That is just amazingly cool, Linda! Off to pin it...

Caroline D. said...

Great idea and it's beautiful!!

Alie Hoogenboezem-de Vries said...

A great altereation Linda...from cans to butterflies...Very artistique look!

kind regards, Alie :-)

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

So gorgeous...looks like a piece found at an antique store! You work wonders with soda cans lady! I love the twisted wires and the butterflies flying in and out...brilliant!

http://blog.timetocreate.com.au/ said...

Fantastic piece Linda. I envision a massive one which could start small and be added to as you got the cans!

AppleApricot Wen said...

O wow Linda, this is awesome!! Gorgeous wall hanger, truly a piece of art. Love the embossed butterflies and how you twisted the thinner wire. The colours are awesome too. Great job! Hugs and happy day, Wendy

Tone M. said...

So beautiful, really abrilliant idea for decor, could use it for table-deco aswell

Hettie said...

Wow! Thankfully there are other brands of coke available for those of use who don't like Pepsi!!
Love this idea. Pass me a can please!
Hugs
x

Cec said...

Absolutely stunning and looks just right in that spot. I am in awe of your creativity and would like to be you when I grow up :)
Hugs!
Cec

Freda said...

Linda, Did you use one of those thin cuttlebug dies? I really want to make this but that is the only thing that comes up when I search cuttlebug butterflies...

Can't wait to make this. I too have been raiding my contractor hubby's truck and job sites for new items to use...lol

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