Elevating the Humble Tin...

I've just completed an online swap of altered tins with other members of a Yahoo group known as Mixed Media Art Friends. I created two altered tins which were filled with embellishments and small treasures, and sent them to my two swap partners. They returned the favor, sending me tins that they had altered and filled with goodies.

The "Flora" tin shown above was made by decoupaging crinkled brown paper to the top of the tin. The top was then aged with paint and ink. I used a free image from Clearly Vintage, and added some flowers, gems, and text. The "Venezia" tin was done in a similar manner, and includes a tape-transfer image of gondolas. The "Flora" tin edges are beaded with adhesive and secured with Diamond Glaze. The "Venezia" has applied ribbon on the edges.



The Daisy girl image is repeated on the inner lid, which is lined with stitched patterned paper. And here are the little treasures packed inside both tins.

So those are the tins I sent out, and here is what I got back. Both of my swap partners live in Arizona. Marrianna's tin, left, is loaded with beads and shells, and contains an embellished Chinese coin charm with a proverb attached. It reads "If there is beauty in character, there will be harmony in the home. If there is harmony in the home, there will be order in the nation. If there is order in the nation, there will be peace in the world."

Florence's tin is the snappy red tool box. I admire and wonder at how she managed to install the handle on this. And I've always liked this vintage war-time image. The messages inside say "Caution: Men at Work" followed by these words, "Women work all the time- men have to put up signs when they work." And my favorite, "Keep Calm and Carry On." Words to live by!

And to think these tiny works of art began as a simple tin of mints. Fun stuff!