This Vintage Tin Can Label Recipe Box is a fun craft project kids can make as a gift for mom or dad. It is the perfect place to hold family recipes and is perfect for Father’s Day, Mother’s day and birthdays.
While the Vintage Tin Can Labels in this craft project are made of photo copies, you could use real vintage can labels that are not too valuable.
To save money Have the kids collect a variety of new Tin Can Labels in different shapes, sizes, and colors.
This craft project is simply and should cost you $10 or less per child. The most expensive part is the wooden recipe box. You can buy pre made wooden recipe boxes at any arts and craft store, like Michaels. You cannot use a shoebox for this project. As the decoupage medium dries it will shrink and wrap the shoebox.
For this Vintage Tin Can Label Recipe Box Craft Project You Will Need:
Tin can labels, or photocopies of labels
Decoupage Medium
Wooden Box
2″ Paint Brush
Scissors
Pencil
Felt
Glue
The first step is to take your vintage tin can labels to Kinko’s and have them photocopied. You can skip this step and use the real paper labels if you want.
I like to Cut the Vintage Tin Can Labels out with scissors once I remove them from the can. This provides for a clean finished edge on the recipe box.
Use one of those ready made wooden recipe boxes you can buy at any craft store for the base of this project. You could prime or paint the box first if you would like. Just remember the color will show through the, so stick with lighter colors.
Start by laying a Vintage Tin Can Label on the wood box and using decoupage to attach it to the box. Dip your brush in the decoupage medium and then brush on the tin can label. You may want to paint on a layer of decoupage medium to the box and then lay the tin can label on. You can add more medium on top.
You can overlap tin can labels as well. Use more decoupage medium to hold this down if necessary.
I like to simply decoupage the entire recipe box first. Then before it dries to hard I take an exacto knife and cut around the opening so the receipt box can open. You can simply not decoupage over the opening though!
Continue this process until you cover the entire wooden recipe box. Your Vintage Tin Can Labels should overlap, creating a layered look on the craft recipe box. You can add as many layers of tin can labels as you would like. The decoupage glue medium will dry clear and hard. You children’s hard work will be well protected for years to come.
To add age to your wooden Vintage Tin Can Label Recipe Box you can rub a wood gel stain onto the dried box. Wipe it off with a clean dry cloth. Allow this to dry for at least an hour. This will age new tin can labels in seconds.
For an antique or vintage touch try mixing one part gold paint with two parts glaze. Brush this over the entire box. Wipe away any excess if necessary. Allow this to dry before you move on to the next step of this craft project.
To complete the Vintage Tin Can Label Recipe Box you need to line the inside of the box with felt. Start by cutting a piece of fabric out to fit the bottom of the box. Glue it into place. Next, cut out pieces to line the inside of the inside of the box. Glue them into place as well.
