Upcycled Sardine Cans Make A Calming And Whimsical Rain Chain

Sardines on pizza, in a Caesar salad, or straight from the tin might not sound appetizing to everyone, but a clever craft could still have you picking up a few cans, even if the contents are reserved for making your own seafood compost. You could also buy decorative tins for a sardine fan and reuse the empty cans afterward. Equipped with drainage holes and linked together in a long line, a collection of them make a cheap and quirky rain chain.

Luckily for the sardine haters out there, lots of seafood comes in similar rectangular cans with pull-off tops, and lots of them are beautifully patterned. Calamari, kippers, herring, salmon, and plenty of other former swimmers come in these metal tray containers. Their printed sides instead of paper-covered ones make reuse even more tempting, especially if they're from exotic seaside locales. Instagrammer @sustainablyamber used Mediterranean-patterned calamari cans from Trader Joe's. You might find something cute like this in the Asian, Middle Eastern, or kosher aisles at your grocery store. International grocery stores can also be a good source for uniquely packaged tin.

Once you've amassed 10 to 12 pretty cans, grab a hammer and nail, pliers, a 2-inch metal ring, and about 10 feet of thin chain — You can buy it by the foot at most hardware stores. Because the inner edges of the cans can be dangerously sharp, grab a file or sandpaper to dull the edges. A few extras like a rag, a piece of scrap wood, and UV protectant spray can come in handy for making holes in the cans and keeping their labels bright.

Before reusing these kitchen items, take the time to sand or file down the sharp edges around the inner mouth of each can to prevent injuries. Make the holes in the cans by setting them on a piece of wood before hammering into them to preserve their shape and finish. Poke about 12 holes into the base of each can, and make two of them at the midpoint on the narrowest ends to attach the chains.

When making side holes for the chains, place a rag between the wood and the can to avoid damaging the graphics. On each narrow end, make a hole at the center point near the mouth and at the base; align the lower holes with the one on the underside so that you can loop one chain link through both holes. You don't need to make lower side holes for the can that will be the lowest on the chain.

Using the pliers to open the links, separate two 6-inch sections of chain for each can. Loop chains through the top and bottom holes on each side of the cans, and pinch the links closed with the pliers. Open the metal ring, and send it through the end chain links attached to your uppermost can. Pinch the ring closed, and hang it in a temporary spot where you can coat the cans with the UV protectant spray. Finally, replace that ugly downspout eyesore for your upcycled masterpiece just in time for a rainstorm.