DIY pencil box made from an old jam tin

Simple instructions for a stylish desk upgrade, aesthetically decorative upcycling from a tin can

Do you have an old jam tin or similar lying around and are looking for a creative way to reuse it? With some self-adhesive paper, you can create a chic pencil box in no time at all that will organise your desk and add a stylish touch. In this blog post, I'll show you how to realise this simple DIY and upcycling project in just a few minutes.

Materials you will need:

• an empty, clean jam tin

• Self-adhesive paper in a design of your choice

• scissors

• ruler

• pencil

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Preparing the jam tin:

   
   

   Make sure your jam tin is clean and dry. The jam tin you see in the photo has the advantage that it has no labels or adhesive residue, is stable and can be used immediately after washing out. If your tin has labels, remove all labels and adhesive residue thoroughly so that the self-adhesive paper adheres well later.

   
   

2. Measure and cut the self-adhesive paper to size:

   
   

   Carefully measure the circumference and height of the jam tin using a ruler. It is a good idea to measure the height accurately so that the paper is exactly flush with the edge. Transfer these measurements to the back of the self-adhesive paper and cut it out with scissors. The ends around the perimeter should overlap slightly.

   
   

3. Attach the self-adhesive paper:

   
   

   Peel off a small piece of the protective film from the top edge of the self-adhesive paper and carefully place it lengthways (from top to bottom) on the tin. Slowly work your way round, gradually peeling off the protective film as you smooth the paper to avoid air bubbles. Make sure that the paper is applied straight and wrinkle-free.

   
   

4. Carefully finish the edges and corners:

   
   

   If you have any protrusions at the top or bottom, you can now carefully cut them off with a cutter or glue them around the edges of the tin. This ensures a clean and professional finish.

   
   

5. Add personal touches (optional):

   
   

   To give your new pencil box a personal touch, you can also decorate it with washi tape, stickers, hand lettering or small drawings. Let your creativity run wild!

You're already done! Your new DIY pencil box is ready to brighten up your desk and keep it tidy. This project is not only quick and easy to realise, but also a great way to reuse old tins and give them a new lease of life.

Bonus tip:

Homemade pencil boxes like these also make excellent gifts. Combine them with a few colourful pens or small notebooks and you have an individual, handmade gift that is sure to be well received. Have fun crafting and organising!

If you like the idea, please write a comment and share your creative result with us. Here you can find more ideas for more organisation and inspiration for what you could do with the pens. If you're looking for gifts, you'll find lots of ideas here...

A hug and see you soon!