DIY Tuesday: Rustic Lighting

A few weeks ago my husband came home from work with a few treasures that he picked up around his job site (he is in commercial construction). Among his assortment of treasures were a bunch of old rustic tin cans which I was immediately drawn too.

I thought about all of the fun things we could make with the cans and then decided they would be great to use as accent lighting. So, I had my husband carefully and randomly drill holes into each can so it would create a "star-like" effect when lit with a candle inside.

It was such an easy project and I LOVE how they turned out. I'm excited to have them because they can be used in so many different ways. My first thought, was that I could line them up on a long table runner and use them as a centerpiece for a more formal dinner. They can also be hung together to create a chandelier look or could be placed separately around the yard in the trees (great decoration for a wedding reception too!)

Now, I realize that not everyone can just go and buy old rusted cans. But you can create a similar look and buy the same type of cans from a craft store and just paint them or leave them plain. Infact, I was thinking that having a few of these painted in black would make an awesome centerpiece for a Halloween Table setting!

Click below for a short tutorial on how to create these lights!...


Star Can Lighting


Materials Needed
Metal cans (can be purchased at most craft stores)
Electric Drill - with a small drill bit size
Thick wire for hanging
Tea lights
Clamp - optional

Step 1. Clamp the first can to the edge of a work table or bench.

Step 2. Drill small holes randomly or in a pattern around your can and file down sharp edges inside the can as needed.

Step 2. If you would like to hang your can lights, drill 2 holes across from each other at the top of your can. Then, loop a wire through the holes so you have something to hang the lights by.

Step 3. Place a small candle or tea light, place inside of each can and light (MAKE SURE TO USE A LONG STEM LIGHTER TO AVOID ANY REMAINING SHARP EDGES INSIDE THE CAN) .

Display them however you wish!