Patio String Lights - How to Make Your Own Using Tin Cans

Making your own patio string lights can be a greatNow, put on your gloves and safety glasses. With
craft for a cottage weekend or even a backyarda white grease pencil draw any design you'd like
slumber party campout. You will have to begin byon your tin can. Remember, the design will be
asking friends, family and neighbors to collect andmade by punching holes through the tin, so
keep their used and emptied tin cans. Once youdesigns made of multiple dots are best. Some of
have received the desired amount of cansthe most common choices when making your
(preferably one for every bulb on your string ofown patio string lights are stars and moons since
lights) you will need to clean them thoroughly andyour lanterns will be enjoyed during the evening
remove their paper labels. Now you are able tohours.
begin.Step Three:
Here is what you will need:Begin placing your nail on your drawn dots and
1. Your collection of clean, label free canshammering small holes until your design is
2. A few old towelscomplete. Once you're finished punching the holes
3. A hammeryou will need to draw an "X" shape on the
4. A sharp nailbottom of each of your tins. Using your metal
5. A pair of metal snipssnips carefully cut out the lines need to form the
6. At least one strand of outdoor lights"X" and fold the four triangle section back in
7. A pair of safety gloves and eye protectiontoward the inside of the tin.
Step One:Step Four:
Begin by filling your tins with water and placingRemove the bulbs from your string lights and
them in the freezer until frozen solid. Once theplace a tin on each socket. Screw each bulb back
tins of water are frozen remove them from theinto their socket, this will be what holds your
freezer and lay them on the floor in the center oflantern in place.
your old towel. Secure your tin by rolling theStep Five:
edges of the towel inward towards your frozenWait until the sun goes down, pour a glass of
tin. The towel will help to hold your tin in place andwine, ice tea or hot cocoa and enjoy the fruits of
will soak up the water as your tin thaws.your labor! You just made your very own tin can
Step Two:patio string lights!