Students will create tiny works of art by punching designs into tin. Punched tin, also called pierced tin, is an artisan technique originating in central Europe for creating housewares that are both functional and decorative.
By Patti Beckman [Patti is an art educator from Seven Oaks Elementary in Eagle, ID]
What You Need:
- Small tin tart pans (kits available at Plimoth Patuxet Museum Shop)
- Push pins
- Indelible markers (optional)
- Simple, small pictures
What You Do:
- Place the picture you’ve chosen on top of the tin tart pan.
- Punch with push pin around the lines of the picture.
- Remove the paper and you have a tin punch ornament or suncatcher.
- To add a little color, use indelible markers.
- Older children may enjoy trying designs freehand.
Notes: You can make this project more complex by using metal flashing instead of old tin tart pans and by punching holes with hammer and nails. Just be sure you tape the edges so they aren’t sharp!
You can make a wonderful candle holder by filling an empty aluminum can with water and freezing it (this makes it easier to punch.) Then, can use a nail and hammer and punch holes into the can. When it’s finished, remove the water and set a candle inside.
For more detailed information on punched tin, visit: http://www.piercedtin.com/
Debbie
Wednesday 22nd of February 2023
I can’t find these at S & S now. Do you know anywhere else to get the little pans?
KinderArt
Monday 6th of March 2023
Hi! I did a quick search and found them here: https://www.plimoth.com/products/tin-punching-kit Alternatively, you could use tin tart pans that can be found in the baking aisle at your local grocery store. The drawback with using those would be that the surface area would be small, but the craft would still be doable. Hope this helps! Andrea :)