A small heart-shaped bowl made from a tuna fish can makes a lovely desk accessory and Valentine’s Day gift…
To make this you will need: a tuna fish can and spray paint.
I have a can opener with a safety feature that allows me to remove the lid of a can without creating a sharp edge. I highly recommend using this type of can opener for this project. Begin by washing the can thoroughly.
Press in one side of the can to create an indent.
On the opposite side of the indent, pull edge of can outward and pinch with fingers to create base of heart. This can was quite malleable - I was able to mold it with my hands.
Cover with a few coats of glossy white spray paint. I do not recommend this bowl for food use.
Jen Nichols
January 13, 2012 at 7:55 pm
Love this! How durable is the finish with the spray paint? Did you prime first?
camilla
January 13, 2012 at 8:04 pm
Thanks Jen, I’m only using this to hold a few trinkets on my bedside table or desk so the use will be light. I did not prime – just cleaned the can a sprayed it. I have done this before and it wore well but you could prime it if you’d like. Hope this helps 🙂 Thanks, C
Kristen
January 14, 2012 at 2:02 am
Love this! Do you remember what brand tuna it might’ve been? I want to get the same pliable one.
Thanks! 🙂
camilla
January 17, 2012 at 4:38 pm
Hi Kristen – It was a large can of Bumblebee brand tuna. Take care & thanks for stopping by 🙂 C
fee@chippernelly
January 14, 2012 at 10:37 am
genius. (I think I say that on most of my comments over here!)
off to pin
fee x
camilla
January 14, 2012 at 2:52 pm
Thanks Fee 🙂 You’re so kind!
STEFANIA
January 14, 2012 at 3:01 pm
A very creative idea! Bello! Stefania
camilla
January 14, 2012 at 3:04 pm
Grazie Stefania!
julie
January 17, 2012 at 12:54 am
I made one!!!!! Thanks for showing! Check it out HERE!
camilla
January 17, 2012 at 1:18 am
Hi Julie! it looks great!!!! Thanks so much for sending me the link! Love it, C
Judi
January 17, 2012 at 5:14 pm
this is my first visit here having come from Julie’s blog. This is so cute. I love it! Greeat idea.
come by and visit sometime.
Judi
Steff
January 19, 2012 at 1:58 am
This is awesome in so many ways… I get to eat tuna, turn junk into something really pretty AND use spray paint. 3 out of 3ain’t bad. At all. Love your photography, too. Mad skills!
Ana Paula Alves Lima
January 20, 2012 at 5:59 pm
Adoro vocês!!!Sempre transformando.E com bom gosto,importantíssimo!
Sylvie Créative
January 22, 2012 at 12:48 pm
Great and super cute! Have a nice day!
Tina Hayes
January 22, 2012 at 10:07 pm
Camilla
I saw this post the same day that I made some chicken noodle soup, (I used caned cubed chicken in my soup). SOOOO I took the time to wash/dry the can, hand molded it into a heart, used a bit of primer, then sprayed it red. Yea! My own Valentine. I wish I could find a way to post the photo.
Love your site.
Abbey
January 31, 2012 at 12:43 pm
I love this simple DIY! I just discovered your blog after being redirected from Apartment Therapy and I’m stoked to try this one out! I thought you were simply going to wrap the can in some giftwrap and call it a “key and change holder” or something (which still would have been pretty cute). I have alooot of acrylic paint. I’m wondering if it would stick to the can like the spray paint does..?
Thanks again for the tutorial, Camilla!
Mònica Roca Illustration
February 23, 2012 at 9:05 pm
genial! gracias! 🙂
ana albi moreno
March 4, 2012 at 9:07 pm
Me parece precioso y super fácil, esta muy bien explicado, es la primera vez que entro en este blog y lo registrare para seguirte. Yo pienso hacer un vacia bolsillos para las llaves el movil y las cosas de los hombres de la casa. Gracias.