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a tiny little decorative box made from an aluminum can

 
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Haha! I just love this!
 
                                      
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Very clever! I didn't realize aluminum was so easy to cut.  I may have to get over my fear of sharp edges and try this out!
 
paul wheaton
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I've used aluminum cans in a way similar to this to make labels for plants.  It lasts for many years.
 
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My wife and I are going to do this for Christmas this year. rad.
 
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I love this idea! - it would make a sweet little keepsake box for a little gift perhaps. I've embossed foil puree tubes, but haven't tried drinks cans - I expect they will be a bit tougher to emboss neatly - any tips?
 
pollinator
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Nancy Reading wrote:I love this idea! - it would make a sweet little keepsake box for a little gift perhaps. I've embossed foil puree tubes, but haven't tried drinks cans - I expect they will be a bit tougher to emboss neatly - any tips?



Maybe repurpose a nail set, or even a large enough nail, (round over the end as needed on a grinding wheel, or with a file) or use the ball end of a glass cutter for a larger pattern?  You might have to draw your pattern on first, then use a small hammer with the nail set to tap your design in to the metal, moving along the drawn lines.  
 
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I bet ball-stylus tools (maybe heavier-duty than the ones I'm linking to) would be useful for that, though the video makes a ball-point pen seem easy enough.
Screenshot-2026-03-30-143404.png
Ball stylus tools.
Ball stylus tools.
 
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Excellent idea for gift giving.  I would love to have one...
 
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That video has been updated.

If you are at a loss for a design, just use symbols from The Squid Game.

 
pollinator
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And if you aren't interested in making boxes from drink cans ...
Atomic Shrimp has videos on so many other subjects! Unbelievable. Foraging, cooking (with the cheapest ingredients f.e.), walking along English beaches, gardening, ... what doesn't he do? And of course all with the typical British sense of humor.
 
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