Ages school-age
Show off your favorite colors and store your pencils and pens at the same time. Make this adorable pencil holder from a recycled can and pasta noodles.
by Amanda Formaro
What you'll need
- Empty vegetable can
- White craft glue
- Gesso (recommended: Liquitex Basics Gesso) or white craft paint
- Paintbrush
- Acrylic paints in your favorite colors
- Acrylic sealer spray
- Several different shaped pasta noodles
- Sand paper
Helpful Tip:
1. Many aluminum and tin cans come with pop tops these days, eliminating the use for a can opener. However, some brands still require a can opener and these may produce sharp edges around the brim that can cut fingers. 2. Check your local discount department store for can openers with a safety edge that will not produce sharp edges. 3. Liquitex Basics Gesso is a craft medium that has a nice thick texture that not only covers well and only requires one coat; it also preps the surface for glue adhesion. 4. Apply glue liberally to allow the pasta noodles to grab, but excessive amounts will cause your pasta to slide. 5. Simply readjust the noodles as the glue dries to combat this issue.
How to make it
- Wash and dry vegetable can. If opening has sharp edges, be sure an adult sands them down with sand paper before starting this project.
- Paint entire outside surface of can with gesso or white paint. If using paint, you will most likely need a second coat to cover. Let dry completely before moving on to the next step.
- Sort out pasta noodles into piles according to shapes.
- Use white glue to attach the pasta shapes to the can in whatever pattern you like.
- If you use too much glue, your pasta shapes may start to slide or even fall off. Check up on the can now and then and readjust the noodles as the glue begins to dry.
- When can is completely dry, paint pasta shapes in different colors of your choice. Let dry.
- Spray entire surface of can and pasta with acrylic sealer spray.
