Wednesday, February 1, 2012

My First Tutorial: Cashew/ Peanut Can 1:6 Scale Table


Tutorial: Cashew/ Peanut Can 1:6 Scale Table 


I  was finishing a can of cashews and almost threw away a table. Given my limited funds I used what I had lying around to make this nifty and versatile table, and decided to share the "how" part with all of you! (^_^)









Supplies Needed:
 *1 Cashew/Peanut Can with the label removed. (Preferably with a solid colored lid.)


*Modge Podge or Craft Glue that you can brush on smoothly
*Sponge brush or paint brush
* Scissors
*Measuring Tape
*Hot Glue Gun with 1 stick of glue


*Poster board in the color of your choice. I chose black. 
*Craft Paper with or without patterns/designs. Make sure it isn't thick and can be bent easily.

Let's Begin:


First you need to measure the can you chose.
**Keep in mind you can use different sized cans for this project.**

The surface of the can I chose measured a little over 12 1/2 inches around. 
I went ahead and rounded up to 13 inches. 
Then I measured the height of this can's surface to be slightly over 2 1/2 inches. 
**Note: Make sure to measure with the lid off and measure between the metal lip on the top and bottom (the brown area) for an accurate height.** 


 We will be applying the black poster board (or the color you chose) to the base of the can to increase it's height.  The can shown in my pictures was a little on the short side (in my opinion).  I decided I only wanted to elevate it by 1 inch.


Above you see the 1 inch strip after it's been cut, but it's still too long.
 So, using the earlier measurement of 13 inches, cut it's length down. 
You will want an over lap for the base of the table, as it makes it sturdier.


Now, once you cut the strip down, you can choose to wear it down to add some texture as I did above (mine is the bottom strip).  I just took the strip and worked it around my finger as though I were trying to get it to wrap into a round or curled shape. But you can omit this step if you want the solid strip. Again, it's a preference. (^_^) 


You will need to fire up your glue gun for this next step. **Be careful!**
I used high heat, because the cool metal cools the glue on low setting too quickly.
Leave a small non-glued area in the back at the edge for the overlap I mentioned earlier.
Then, begin putting a 1inch strip of glue on the inner metal lip (not the outside or the metal won't show.)
I do NOT recommend putting a ring of glue all the way around the can and then trying to glue in your poster board!

Notice in the above shot that I just placed glue every 1 inch or so, pressed the poster board in place, and repeated that until I got to the back overlap. 


When you reach the overlap in the back of your table, glue the pieces together using a small drop or strip of hot glue and pres the pieces together.  This is the stabilizing step I mentioned earlier.

Your table should look something like this: 


Now we will move on to covering up that awful cardboard...
Do these next steps with the lid off.


I chose to use Modge Podge to adhere the decorative paper to my table. But you can use Elmer's glue or craft glue (brush it on), or even clear box tape (but it isn't as smooth or permanent). I don't recommend using hot glue or just squirting the craft glue on, as it will look lumpy and bumpy.

Modge Podge is thick, which is why I chose a sponge to spread it on.


My decorative craft paper was only 12 inches by 12 inches, so it won't be long enough to wrap completely around the can but that isn't a problem. So, I will go ahead and cut the proper height, which is a little over 2 1/2 inches. (Yours may measure different.) 


As expected, it's too short, so I'll have to adapt. I highly recommend you wrap your measured piece around the can to insure it fits evenly between the top and bottom of the metal.


So, to make up for my paper shortage I cut a piece of my decorative paper the same height and about 1 1/2-2 inches wide. **Remember to glue this on the back where your poster board overlaps.**


 I thinly applied Modge Podge from top to bottom. Make sure to quickly wipe the excess glue (if any) off the metal. 


For our final steps we will be gluing on the large piece that was cut to fit around the cardboard of our can/table. 


Place a thin coat of your chosen adhesive from top to bottom at the back 1-2 inches wide


Then, smooth out the paper over your glue. Make sure to stay between your metal pieces. 
Repeat this step every 1 to 2inches. 
Applying large amounts of glue around the entire can may result in air bubbles and/or lumps.



When you reach the back, apply glue the way you did at the beginning, and smooth out your paper while remembering to wipe away excess glue from the metal. 


The back should now look similar to the above picture. 
If you notice a little space, where you don't have paper, at the top of your can (like mine on the upper right in the above picture) don't worry about it. If it's just a slight miss the lid will cover it. (^_^)

A shot of the front. ALL DONE! (^_^)

OTHER USES:
*For storage if your can doesn't hold a peanut smell.
*You could increase the height and use it for display in a doll shop.
*Leave it this height and place a doll mannequin on it for dramatic display. 

A couple more shots of the finished table in use...



I hope you enjoyed this tutorial! Keep in mind that you can make this project unique to your own vision. 
Change it up, and stay CREATIVE!! (^_^)

-Cat of A Doll Affinity

28 comments:

  1. Super cute! Gonna have to try this one! Love the lamp! Saw this made by my Froggy Stuff! Great photo shot!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! I love the My Froggy Stuff channel! That lamp is from her tutorial with some personal tweaks.

      Delete
  2. Now that how you do it! Great ideal.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Replies
    1. You're very welcome! Thank you for stopping by to read it! :)

      Delete
  4. LOVE IT!! Thanks for showing the tutorial! My next trip to Sprouts will include a can of nuts instead of my usual, bag of pistachios, LOL. I am SUPER diggin' that sofa...did you purchase it that way?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! :) I look forward to seeing yours! I actually painted the sofa. It was light purple in its original state.

      Delete
  5. Hi!
    I just noticed you started following my blog, and I'm so glad you did, your blog is exactly the kind I've been looking for!! This tutorial is great!
    As you might have seen, my girl's shop is completely unfurnished, so stuff like this is just amazingly helpful to me, plus I'm pretty new to the whole 1/6 world, so I'm out to learn any and all info I can!
    Thank you so much for checking out my blog, and I'm a follower here now too... there's just too much excellent information!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yay! I am so happy to have you as a follower! Your blog is informative as well as adorable. (^_^) Thank you for taking the time to read and comment. Since you are new to the 1/6 world I highly recommend you check out this link: http://www.youtube.com/user/MyFroggyStuff?feature=watch#g/u

      She also has a blog but most of her tutorials can be found on the above YouTube channel! :) Hope that helps!!

      Delete
  6. Wow nice job! What a strange and new technique for me. This thing you call measuring! hahah!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey Vita Plastica - You and I are very much alike with the whole measuring thing. The only thing I measure are the boxes for the post office. LOL!

      Delete
    2. Hahaha! I don't usually measure either. But every now and again I get the "urge"...no idea why. lol

      Delete
  7. Hello from Spain: thanks for the tutorial. I am going to do it. I love the room you did with the lamp, the vase of flowers... The Barbie with that clothing is very beautiful. I encourage you to teach us more. Keep in touch

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Marta! I look forward to seeing what you do with the tutorial! :) I will definitely make more tutorials.

      Delete
  8. LOVE IT! I will really have to try this soon! I need some new black tables too! This was just in time! Thanks for doing it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Ms. Leo! You are going to work wonders with this idea. So happy I could help!!! (^_^)

      Delete
  9. I'm so gonna try this! Thanks for posting it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Awesome!! Thank you for taking the time to read and comment! :)

      Delete
  10. Great tut, Cat! I love the whole room you put together. Very chic!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Vanessa! It is actually a mock set up I threw together at the last minute to showcase the table. I'm happy it still looked good. :)

      Delete
  11. Love this idea! Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Adrian! :) You have some outstanding tutorials as well! (^_^)

      Delete
  12. Cool!!! Thank you very much for this tutorial :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are VERY welcome Sergio!! Thank you for stopping in again! (^_^)

      Delete
  13. I will try this is very cute and I am always open to cheap-gorgeous-recycled-doll-useful-stuff.
    thanks for the tutorial1
    Dom (lilly)from dollObs

    ReplyDelete