How to Easily Turn A Tin into Multiple Pieces of Jewelry

I am a hoarder of beautiful tins, I admit it, I can't pass them up.  Many times they're not usable for my purposes but they're beautiful so I must have them.  This particular tin I have found a couple times and it's perfect!  Wait till you see how many projects I've made so far and there's still plenty left to work with.

I forgot to take a picture of the tin before I started cutting but look at all those lovely pieces I have to work with.

I decided to make a bracelet and earring set for my first project.  I'd love to teach a class at the new shop for this, so easy and you leave with completed jewelry.

I started by cutting down my pieces so they are a better fit on the wrist.  I used the block to hammer them relatively flat (when cutting them up they tend to get bent in the corners, amongst other things).

I used a file to sand down any rough edges and round the corners.  Then, using canned food I hammered each piece giving it a slightly rounded finish, you can see what I mean in the next picture.

I marked the pieces where I wanted the eyelets and started punching holes with my crop-a-dile, love that thing....

 ... and added my eyelets.

Using four of my matching tin pieces I linked them together.   I haven't added the closure yet, I started to make one but the wire just wasn't sturdy enough for my liking so I need to get into Michael's sometime and pick one up.  Also, if I'm teaching this for a class we will have limited time, making closures might not be an option, especially if we're making earrings too.

Of course we are.  Again I used ear wires from Michael's that match the wire and eyelets, making the earrings a really easy project.  Simply prep the smaller pieces of tin with a little sanding, mark and punch your hole and attach your ear wire with a ring.  It's as easy as that and you've got yourself an adorable new bracelet and earring set.

Oh but why stop there?  You could continue on and add a necklace quite simply.  I used a different color piece from the same tin for this project.  Simply cut it out and make random hole punches around the outer edge.  I then took some wire and strung it through the holes, leaving a tail at the bottom on both sides.

I strung a few decorative beads sporadically throughout as well...

... and used the "tails" at the bottom to make a ring to add a little bling.

Another quick project for a class that requires very little jewelry making experience yet you leave with a beautiful pendant necklace that you made yourself.