Save those mini soda cans! This easy upcycled Christmas craft transforms them into charming antique gold bell ornaments.
A Trash-to-Treasure Christmas Ornament: Mini Soda Can Christmas Bells
This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.
A couple of years ago, I made oversized holiday bells using regular soda cans—and I loved how they turned out. So, when one of my kiddos unfortunately ended up with a stomach bug and I found myself with an empty six-pack of mini ginger ale cans, I knew exactly what I had to do.
Make tiny Christmas bells, obviously.
These miniature soda cans are the perfect size for ornaments. With a little black spray primer, antique gold Rub ’n Buff, and some floral wire, they look surprisingly charming and vintage. You would never guess that they started as tiny ginger ale cans!
This is also a great practically-zero-dollar Christmas craft because you can use whatever leftover ribbon, yarn, twine, wire, or small wooden beads you already have in your craft stash.
Video Tutorial
Watch this quick video tutorial to see how this craft came together:
Mini Soda Can Christmas Bells
Make beautiful DIY Christmas bells from recycled mini soda cans with this creative trash-to-treasure holiday craft tutorial.
Materials
- 3 empty mini soda cans
- Black spray primer
- Antique gold Rub ’n Buff
- Soft-bristle brush or inexpensive makeup brush
- 3 small wooden half beads or wooden beads
- Wooden skewer
- Gold floral wire
- Brown paper-covered floral wire
Tools
- Heavy-duty craft shears
- Small craft pliers
- Silicone fingertip protector
- Small screwdriver
- Rubber mallet
- Hot glue gun
- Wire cutters
Instructions
- Watch the Video. Follow along with the video tutorial for a complete walkthrough of how to turn empty mini soda cans into vintage-inspired Christmas bell ornaments.
- Cut the Soda Cans. Using heavy-duty craft shears, carefully cut the tops off three empty mini soda cans. Don't worry about making them all the same height—a little variation makes the finished bells look more natural.
- Fold the Sharp Edges. Use craft pliers to fold the cut edge inward all the way around each can. A silicone fingertip protector makes it easier to press the metal flat while protecting your fingers from the sharp aluminum.
- Prime the Bells. Spray the inside and outside of each can with a light coat of black spray primer. Let the primer dry completely before moving on.
- Make Hanging Holes. Place a small screwdriver in the center of the bottom of each can and tap it with a rubber mallet to create a small hole for the hanger wire.
- Add the Gold Finish. Buff antique gold Rub 'n Buff over the outside of each can using a soft brush. Leave a little of the black primer showing through for an aged, vintage look.
- Paint the Clappers. Hot glue a small wooden bead onto the end of a wooden skewer. Cover the bead with antique gold Rub 'n Buff, let it dry, then gently twist it off the skewer.
- Twist the Floral Wire. Cut one 15-inch piece of gold floral wire and one 15-inch piece of brown paper-covered floral wire. Twist them together to create a decorative two-tone hanger.
- Assemble the Bells. Thread a painted wooden bead onto one end of the twisted wire and twist the wire to secure it in place. Feed the opposite end through the inside of the bell and out through the hole in the top, then form a loop for hanging. Adjust the bead so it hangs inside the bell like the clapper, then repeat with the remaining ornaments.
Notes
Safety Note: The cut edges of aluminum cans are extremely sharp. Wear protective gloves if possible, use pliers instead of your fingers whenever you can, and work carefully. This is definitely an adult craft—not one for the kiddos.
The Finished Craft
love a good recycled Christmas craft—especially when the finished project doesn’t immediately look recycled.
These mini soda can bells have a charming, vintage-inspired finish, and the antique gold color makes them look much more expensive than they actually are. The black primer peeking through adds just enough age and character, while the twisted two-tone floral wire gives them something a little different from my usual twine hanger.
Hang the bells individually on your Christmas tree, group all three together as a small bell cluster, or use them to decorate a wreath, garland, gift package, or holiday centerpiece.
Not bad for a few empty ginger ale cans and leftover supplies from the craft stash!
PIN these upcycled soda can bells for later:
