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Tin Can Critters

handmade paper project examples

Some supplies used for this project are available on arnoldgrummer.com. Add any of the items shown below to your cart right from this page.
by Maria Nerius & Mary Ayers

Earth day, tin cans, recycling … here’s some fun projects to make with the kids!

The Let’s Make Paper!* home and classroom kits include quality, long lasting, reusable supplies for ‘tin can’ paper making.*

Use a kit for best results, OR use household items and directions listed below.

SUPPLIES NEEDED

  • Two 4-5 inch diameter cans, one open on one end, one open on both ends
  • Tray or cake pan
  • Plastic canvas: 6×6 inches
  • 2 window screens: 6×6 inches
  • Sponge
  • Terry kitchen towel
  • Paper towels
  • Hardcover book
  • Large zip-lock bag
  • Kitchen blender
  • 2 8oz cups
  • Wastepaper

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Stack in tray from the bottom up: rinsed open can, plastic canvas, window screen, second can with top and bottom cut out.
  2. Blend a 5×5 inch piece of wastepaper with 2 cups water in blender on hi for 20 seconds. Pour blended pulp into 2 cups.
  3. Don’t be shy! Pour pulp from both cups into top can at the same time, quickly.
  4. Remove top can. Oooh and ahhh. Move new sheet on screen to terry towel. Cover with second window screen. Blot out as much water as possible with sponge.
  5. Put hardcover book in ziplock bag and seal. Use book to press wet sheet between paper towels.
  6. Cover sheet with thin cloth and iron dry, or place between dry paper towels under stack of books to dry overnight.
  7. Note: Lay out paper towels to dry and reuse another day for paper making. Have fun!
  8. * Let’s Make Paper!(TM) and Tin Can Paper Making(TM) are trademarks of Arnold Grummer.

Arnold Grummer’s Items Used In This Project