Smashed Can Basket Craft for May Day

This easy smashed can basket craft is perfect for holding a few pretty flowers to hang on someone's door for May Day.

Did you know that people used to hang baskets on the front door of loved ones and neighbors on May 1st? You can read more about this interesting tradition here.

Today I'm combining the craft of crushed tin can baskets as a fun way to recycle and have a basket perfect for May Day. Of course, you can use it on any day or for any purpose you like.

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Supplies

• Hammer
• Scissors
• Nail File
• Paint brushes
• Smooth Edge Can Opener
• Large nail
• Aluminum Can
• Printed Napkin
• Wire - or twine or ribbon to use as a hanger
• White Craft Paint
• Mod Podge
• Wood Block

How to Make a Smashed Can Basket

Step 1: Remove the top and bottom of the can you will be using. Remove the label and any glue residue.

Note: You will need a smooth edge can opener for this craft. If you don't already have one you will love it. However, in the image above the can has a different bottom from the top and cannot be removed.

Step 2: Next make some holes on each side of the can. I used a large nail and hammered it into the side about 1/2 inch from the top.

Step 3: Use your hands to begin to press the bottom opening together. (the side opposite of the holes you made)

Step 4: Use a hammer to finish smashing the edges together.

Step 5: Coat the cans with white craft paint. You could also spray paint them or use chalk paint. This is only one coat and I ended up adding a second coat to cover the cans.

Step 6: Separate the napkin layers, using only the top printed layer.

Step 7: Brush a thin layer of Mod Podge on one side of the can and position the top layer of the napkin where you want.

Step 8: Trim the excess napkin with scissors.

Step 9: Use a nail file to file off any excess napkin material from the edges.

Step 10: Allow the Modge Podge to dry and repeat on the other side.

Step 11: Thread a wire through the holes from the outside to create a hanger.

Note: The basket will not hold water. You can keep flowers fresh for a short time by wrapping a wet paper towel around the bottom of the stems keeping it in place with a rubber band.

Hang your lovely creations with your favorite flowers on the doorknob of someone special or simply enjoy the smashed can baskets for yourself.