Materials:
12 sardine cans or mint cans*
24 pieces of 1/4" foam board (black) or 3/16" basswood cut 1" by 4-1/2" (supports)
12 pieces of 1/4" foam board cut or 3/16" basswood cut 3-5/8" by 4-1/2 "
(shelves)
two pieces of 5/8" pine or 1/2" foam board cut 9-1/8" by 4-1/2" (top and bottom)
three pieces of 5/8" pine or 1/2" foam board cut 7-1/2" by 4-1/4" (sides)
one piece of 5/8" pine or 1/2" foam board cut to approximately 7-1/2" x 9-1/8" (back)
four wood doll heads 1" in diameter
Con-Tact Ultra paper -simulated leather and velour
12 wing nuts and screws (1/2")
tin snips
pliers
craft knife or small craft saw
copper acrylic paint or copper paint pen
Minwax stain pen
13 wood screws
electric screwdriver
ruler
cutting mat
electric drill (1/8" bit)
*Note: The measurements given are for a chest using sardine cans. If you wish to use mint cans, measure the length and add approximately 1/2" for the overall depth of the chest and 1/4" for the height of the shelf supports.
Steps:
- Clean the sardine cans well by running them through the dishwasher. Clip the top lip of the cans with tin snips from the inner edge toward the sides of the can and bend the lip downward so it fits snugly against the inner sides of the cans. Cover the outsides of the cans with Con-Tact Ultra paper (simulated leather), leaving the silver edges uncovered. Cover the insides of the cans with Con-Tact velour paper. Drill small holes in the center of one end of each sardine can and attach a wing nut and screw for the handles.
- Cut all wood or foam board pieces to the measurements indicated or measure the containers you might be using and adjust the measurements accordingly, adding approximately 1/2" extra.
- Cover the shelves with Con-Tact Ultra paper (simulated leather). Cover one of the side pieces (for the center support) with Con-Tact Ultra paper (simulated leather). Cover the back of the chest with Con-Tact Ultra paper (simulated leather).
- Stain the top and bottom pieces of wood and side pieces of wood with a Minwax stain pen.
- To assemble the chest, place one side piece flat on a work surface, place the first shelf support flush with the bottom of the side piece and glue it in place. It must be precisely placed since everything will be measured from the first shelf support. Position the first shelf upright (perpendicular to the work surface) next to the shelf support. Do not glue it in place yet. This will act as a spacer for now. Place the second shelf support next to the upright shelf. Glue the shelf support to the side of the chest. Continue adding shelf supports (separated by the distance of the shelves) all the way up to the top of the side of the chest.
- Glue the shelf supports in place along both sides of the center wood piece of the chest, spacing them as described in step five. Do the same with the other side of the chest.
- Glue all the shelves in place.
- Pre-drill three starter holes along the outside edges of the bottom piece of the chest. Position one near the front and back and one in the center. Use wood screws and an electric screwdriver to attach the side pieces to the bottom. Attach the center side piece in the same manner.
- Attach the top of the chest to the sides with a wood screw in each of the four corners. It is not necessary to attach the center side piece to the top.
- Paint four wood doll heads with copper paint or paint with a paint pen. Glue them to the bottom of the chest as feet.
- Slide the sardine can drawers in place between each shelf.
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