How to Make a Rustic Tin Trinket Box

Materials and Tools:

mint tin
sander or sandpaper
cloth
paintbrush
two-part rusting medium
spoon
aging varnish
3" x 5" laminate sheet
black and white image
tray of water
cordless drill with 1/16" drill bit
clear glue
T-pin
bead
wire cutters
round-nose pliers

Steps:

1. Remove labels and sand the exterior surface of the mint tin. Wipe off loose particles with a cloth.

2. Rust the tin using a two-part rusting agent according to manufacturer's directions.

3. Seal with aging varnish and let dry.

4. Create a cold laminate transfer by placing a black and white laser copy of an image face down onto the sticky side of a laminate sheet and burnishing the back with a spoon.

5. Dip the transfer in a tray of water and rub the back side with fingers until all the white paper is removed. Dry the transfer.

6. Cut the transfer to the exact size of the tin top and adhere it with clear glue.

7. Drill a single hole in the front side of the tin with a 1/16-inch bit.

8. Assemble a decorative knob using a bead and T-pin. Poke the T-pin into the bead and then insert the T-pin into the hole from the outside in.

9. Cut the excess T-pin wire leaving about 1/2 inch remaining.