Altered Altoids tin

[CathyRose]

Fiddlette asked me to post some instructions for the tiny altered Altoids tin I posted in my gallery here

altered tin (http://www.digitalartquirks.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=535&cat=500&ppuser=27)

Usually I just sort of wing it, so I don't know how helpful this will be but here goes.
Any size tin will work, getting rid of the mints is the hardest part because I don't like them, but I love the tins. Wash the tin with water and dry it. I sand the tin a little so the adhesive works better. I just choose paper and trace around the bottom and top of the tin. The sides come next and I just measure, cut and fit by trial and error for those. Cut out the paper and glue it on with thick get medium. I like Golden's but I think any kind will work. It is available at Michael's or any art supply store. If you are going to ink the edges or sand the edges, do that next. Then add the embellishments on the top. You may have to sand the sides so the top will close again. I don't bother to seal it with a matte spray sealer, but you can do that if you choose. If you are going to use it for the mints or as a pill case, leave the inside undecorated. If not you can decorate it or attach a mini accordian album inside as well. As I said, I usually just wing it, have fun!

[Fiddlette]

Ahhh...thank you, Cathy!! I'm sure I speak for everybody here at DAQ, that is one cool project, and we will definitely refer to these instructions when we each get the chance to do one...

In fact, wouldn't it just make the coolest group project? All of us making our own altered tin?

I'd never heard of Goldens...that is a great product tip!!

[Fiddlette]

I also saw an article in Legacy where the artist burned the paint off an altoids tin...over a bbq!! It looked so cool when she was done, but I wondered if that would ruin the bbq!! Can't afford that!!

BTW, in LA, altoids are INCREDIBLY popular, lol!! I would have thousands of tins from dh alone, if he'd let me save em...but he always throws them away cause he says im a pack rat!!

[Nevermore]

Hmm, I am mathematically illiterate so I will have to figure out if an ATC will fit inside? That would make a neat gift for my teenage nieces. Out of respect for teenagism I always give them a gift certificate so that they can get something cool and not dweeby but it would be tres cool to put it in an altered tin with their own atc. Guess it doesn't matter, does it? I can make the darn thing to fit the altoid tin--my goodness I HAVE to get over my rules obsession!

[SteinwaysMom]

Nevermore - well we can define a NEW standard size for ATC: Altoids Tin Card.

I've heard that scrapbook is becoming a fad with teens. This is great news as it usually involves hanging around with nice wholesome women (lessening opportunities for using questionable substances, getting pregnant or any of the other vices that turn mom's hair gray).

Christine - maybe you could burn the paint off over the gas stove or a candle...sounds kind of interesting!

[SteinwaysMom]

Hey, for all you math-challenged folk I found a template on the web. You wouldn't believe all the things people are using those tins for!

Here is the article (http://www.gonecrafting.com/projects/frp05/) The examples are oh so not quirky but pretty much mirror Cathy's instructions. The link to the template is in the article.

[SteinwaysMom]

Just found a little e-shoppe that sells blank tins for under $1 each...so in case a major addiction sets in and you don't like/can't find Altoids...

Sliding cover nesting tins (http://www.clayalley.com/slidetop.htm)
Hinged tins, round tins and other stuff (http://www.clayalley.com/tins.htm)

Another cool thing they sell is those little round aluminum tins w/clear lids that you can put little doo dads in. My local craft store is selling a set of 10 w/magnet board for $20 and this place only charges a 50 cents a tin!

Also, a couple of the tins fit Avery labels, which will appeal to the perfectionistic crowd.

[happyrobyn]

Altoids - not so much popular here. Can you alter a dip can?! LOL!

[Nevermore]

SM, that should be a classic Altoids Tin Card. Truly witty! I am afraid all projects are off at the moment. The entire household is about to explode, long story but everything is in an absolute tip and I am close to hysteria...What great research you have done and I can't wait to check out all of your finds...I really do think that this would be such a perfect gift for me to give. I have collected tins for about 25 years and have a rather massive collection so people will think it is neat that I am making them.

[SteinwaysMom]

Glad everyone is enjoying it. Robyn, doesn't Skoal come in little plastic containers? That the perfect gift for a manly man - an altered Skoal container and matching spit bottle!

[Vania16]

Great tin links! I love the ones with the sliding top! And, LOL at the dip cans Robyn - although I'll tell you that I altered a cigarette tin a while back LOL

[Fiddlette]

Wow, debra, those are some awesome links!! I adore the tins with the sliding lids...that solves the problem of opening and closing the thing after alterations are made!!

I also love the anodized tins....they are really pretty, even plain!! I tried anodizing jewelry one time in college (yeah, i actually took a jewelry class at Pasadena City College, cause they share dozens of teacher as faculty with Art Center, so it is a much cheaper, but still very cool alternative to attending art center, lol)

I was too scared of the electricity, though...i think it was a good thing for me to stay away from it, since I had scorched 6 inches of my hair with the soldering flame that same week!!
ROFL!!

[CathyRose]

Thank you, thank you, thank you for those links. The sliding top would be so cool, love those and they are quite reasonable!

[Fiddlette]

Finally did one for myself!! Fun fun fun!! :)


http://www.digitalartquirks.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=1352&limit=recent

http://www.digitalartquirks.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=1353&limit=recent

[ScrapAlice]

I tried a new approach with an Altoid tin. Hope you like my wire sculpture (http://www.digitalartquirks.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=3403&cat=502).

[Karen B]

this is on my list of things to create.

AND i found what does fit neatly inside an altoids tin -- those hotel room keys and plastic gift cards you get from department stores. they are just the right size!!

[graybonnie]

ugh...I just tossed out a hotel key. Ok, will keep a more open mind!

[kygirl]

That's a great idea, Karen. I always end up giving my son gift cards to Best Buy because that's all he ever wants. At least this Christmas, I can give him one in a pretty tin.

[ScrapAlice]

I've been after the Altoid tins again. Here's the latest: Hello Kitty.
Exterior: http://www.digitalartquirks.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=3819&cat=500&ppuser=325
Interior: http://www.digitalartquirks.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=3820&cat=502