https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/aluminium-butterflies • Posted by Jackkie
I've had this idea for a while and decided to try it out. I really like the results and its so simple! The thing that takes the longest is cutting up the can in the beginning because you have to be careful for splinters and make sure not to cut yourself with it. Scissors : make sure they are not scissors you use for food, ect. As you can see, the scissors I was using were really old and rusty (but they're sharp). SAFETY - work in a place that is easy to clean up, because this leaves lots of little bits of metal, and you don't want to leave any behind when you've finished cleaning up. I used a sink because it's got barriers there is less chance of spread of metal. - be careful, its sharp. I know its really obvious and I got really tired of every person who walked past me telling me that, but I have to say it - frequently check for metal splinters because if you leave them and keep working, they'll get worse and because its metal, they are really small and sharp. If you feel something sharp at any time, just quickly check your hand to make sure you haven't got a cut or splinter.
I've had this idea for a while and decided to try it out. I really like the results and its so simple! The thing that takes the longest is cutting up the can in the beginning because you have to be careful for splinters and make sure not to cut yourself with it. Scissors : make sure they are not scissors you use for food, ect. As you can see, the scissors I was using were really old and rusty (but they're sharp). SAFETY - work in a place that is easy to clean up, because this leaves lots of little bits of metal, and you don't want to leave any behind when you've finished cleaning up. I used a sink because it's got barriers there is less chance of spread of metal. - be careful, its sharp. I know its really obvious and I got really tired of every person who walked past me telling me that, but I have to say it - frequently check for metal splinters because if you leave them and keep working, they'll get worse and because its metal, they are really small and sharp. If you feel something sharp at any time, just quickly check your hand to make sure you haven't got a cut or splinter.
Gather your supplies... Rince out your cans if there is some drink remaining in them.
Open up your scissors. Lay a can flat and support it as you saw near the top of the can. (doing this above the long flat area means you won't get dents)
Once you've done this for a few seconds, you should be able to easily poke your scissors through. Procede to cut all the way around the rim, until it comes off.
Cut a line down the length of the can. Cut a bit into the base.
Turn your scissors and cut perpendicular to the previous line. This is to cut the base off.
Cut off the remaining rim of the top of the can.
You should be left with a rectangular piece of aluminium.
Fold it in half. (If you want bigger wings, fold it in half the other way.)
Cut a slit into it. This is the antenna.
Cut the first wing. You can make this any shape you want.
Cut the second wing. This needs to be smaller than the first.
Pinch the 'spine' of the butterfly and spread out the wings to your desired openness.
Cut a slit to divide the antennas.
Now you have a butterfly! To make patterns or a hole for hanging, use a metal skewer. I was thinking of making mine a wall decoration, like in Serena's room in Gossip Girl. They can be used as decorations along tables. It looks nice to make similarly shaped butterflies in different sizes and line them up smallest to largest with each opening their wings a bit more. You can keep the remaining aluminium to make a template or a pretty decoration for cards, etc. Or you can cut around the open space left after the butterfly to create a similar effect
You can make any size or shape of butterfly so be creative! You can paint them, decorate them or just leave them. I like using coloured cans, especially solo or lift because of their brightness. Also, to decrease the sharpness of the edges, try sanding them down a bit.