Drink Can Butterflies

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http://www.instructables.com/id/Drink-Can-Butterflies/ Food Living Outside Play Technology Workshop Drink Can Butterflies by clintonmc on September 16, 2011 Table of Contents Drink Can Butterflies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Intro: Drink Can Butterflies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Step 1: Tools and Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Step 2: Cutting and Preparing the Can . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Step 3: Transfering the Pattern to the Metal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Step 4: Cutting Out your Butterfly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Step 5: Embossing and Adding Detail. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Step 6: Decorating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Related Instructables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Transcript of Drink Can Butterflies

Page 1: Drink Can Butterflies

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Food      Living       Outside        Play        Technology       Workshop

Drink Can Butterfliesby clintonmc on September 16, 2011

Table of Contents

Drink Can Butterflies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Intro:   Drink Can Butterflies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Step 1:   Tools and Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Step 2:   Cutting and Preparing the Can . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Step 3:   Transfering the Pattern to the Metal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Step 4:   Cutting Out your Butterfly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Step 5:   Embossing and Adding Detail. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Step 6:   Decorating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Related Instructables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

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Intro:  Drink Can ButterfliesFor some time and for reasons I'm not entirely sure of, I have been trying to find a good use for used soda cans. I have tried making a mini chest of draws, gift boxes(there is a very good Instructable by Mangetout for that) and cookie cutters, the latter worked very well and went down a treat when I used it to make Peppa Pig cakedecorations for my Goddaughters 2nd Birthday.Then last week I stumbled on the art of Paul Villinski, who turns old Beer cans into beautiful works of art by making them into butterflies and birds. I had to try it and whilstmy efforts aren't a shade on Villinski's, I found it to be a surprisingly simple process and one that can be done with household materials, and with no specialistknowledge. Although there are some great Instructables on here for making butterfly charms and ornaments or reusing drink cans, none that I can see are similar to thisone.As with all my Instuctables I have probably over done it with the photos and descriptions, and have made a few mistakes during the process, nothing serious and I willpoint them out as we go.

I find the process quite addictive which is handy as I intend to make a lot of these and use them to create wall art in a way similar to Villinski's, you could also turn theminto fridge magnets or perhaps stick them to hair clips. 

I hope you both enjoy, and find this Instructable useful.

Edit: Only after publishing did I see bauble's Drink Can Craft instructable http://www.instructables.com/id/Aluminium-Drink-Can-Craft it also features making butterfliesand has some other great ideas for thing to do with cans, do check it out.

Image Notes1. Coka-Cola Butterfly

Image Notes1. Hand drawn experimenting with shapes decoration could use some work2. My first attempt, cut blind into the metal, I like it but felt the patterns would makefor a better design3. The shape of one butterfly with the decoration of another4. My attempt to recreate a Monarch Butterfly, the orange came out a bit too darkon the steel, compare it to the same orange marker on the aluminum below

Step 1: Tools and MaterialsAlthough the photo shows quite a few tools, some are just to demonstrate alternative tools for the same job and you should have most of them around the house.

Empty Can: Obviously! Rinsed and allowed to dry. Coke or Pepsi? More accurately Aluminum or Steel? Coke cans are aluminum, Pepsi cans are steel, of cause otherbrands are available. I have found some differences in the two types of can:Aluminium is often a thinner gauge metal, making it easier to cut but also more flimsy and susceptible to tearing and breaking. Steel cans are often a darker colour on theinside, this affects the final colour of your markers, Steel cans are attracted to magnets. At the end of the day the differences are not that important but you may have apreference. Your can should say what type it is, alternatively you can use a magnet to quickly sort them. The average 330ml can should give you a sheet of metal 8” longby 3 to 3.5” wide, enough to make 3 to 4 medium sized butterflies. If you wish to do your own decoration on both sides you could remove the can's original design withwire wool, or cover it with aluminium tape. 

Scissors: I am using “5 Star General Purpose Scissors” they are very sturdy and have no problem cutting the metal. I have found my scissors have becomeslightly magnetic, I dont know if it is from cutting the metal or just the number of magnets I have around, either way it is handy for catching the small bits of steel. I'm suremost scissors of any quality will work well but they may become blunt with time. 5 Star General Purpose Scissors can be bought online for a few pounds. Tin snips mayalso be useful but I find my ones to be a bit ungainly and less useful for doing the details, perhaps a better quality tin snip would be more effective.

Iso-Propyl Alcohol (aka Rubbing Alcohol): This is used to remove the permanent marker from the metal if required, it could be considered optional but I find it very usefulas you will see. It evaporates quickly off the metal so there is no need to dry after using.You may also be able to use other solvents such as white spirit, but as I've nottried anything else I wouldn't like to say for sure. I believe this is widely available in the USA, in the UK I found it somewhat harder to find, you may be able to get it at achemist, I bought a litter on eBay for £5 and have found many uses for it since.

Tissue: or Cotton Wool Balls/Buds, basically anything that can soak up the ios-propyl so it can be used.

"Blunt" Pointed tool: I say "blunt" as anything with too sharp a point risks tearing or puncturing the metal. Two of the tools shown here are metal embossing tools I pickedup at an art shop sometime ago, they were very cheap, about £1.50 for both. Alternatively a pencil will work just as well, I would recommend a harder lead though (HB atleast).

Butterfly Patterns: Whilst you could draw the shape of the butterfly directly onto the metal or cut it out “blind” I find the best results come from using a pattern, to this end

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I have created and included a set of 4 Butterfly shapes in various sizes for you to print out and use. I know that the physiology of butterflies is endlessly diverse, but I feelthese four patterns can be adapted to produce most shapes and sizes.

Hole Punch: These may be considered optional but I find it very useful for doing some of the wing detail. Whilst most any hole punch will work, I prefer the single holepunch as it allows for more accuracy, I bought this one up at a stationers for £1.50.

Foam Sheet, Cork board or Folded Towel: You want something with a bit of give to as a surface when doing the embossing step, trying to emboss on a hard surface willnot work. I got up a pack of 9 different coloured foam sheets from Poundland, I chose to use the pink as I cant see myself using it for anything else.

Tape: Any will do, though clear is better, only a small amount is needed.

Markers: Any permanent marker will do, I prefer Sharpies for their range of colours, but will use cheaper marker pens if possible as the sharp sides of the butterflies candamage the tips. I also use “Uni Posca” markers, they are paint pens, great for adding lighter colours like White, you could of cause also use Tipex if you prefer. PoscaMarkers are available in art shops and cost a few pounds.

A picture of a Butterfly: (not shown) Very useful for inspiration and as a guide, there are many available online, you can of cause do any design you like, or if you prefertry to recreate a particular type, I often use one species shape with the colouring of another. For this instructable I am using the the Blue Mountain Swallowtail asinspiration with an image form http://www.whatsthatbug.com/

Dangers! While I have never cut myself on any of the edges of the butterflies and they are quite safe to handle taking only the slightest of care, the sharp points andbarbs of the offcuts do pose a small danger of giving you small prick or even a cut if you run a finger over them, so take care with these. You may also wish to wear eyeprotection as pieces may fly off when cutting.

Image Notes1. Iso-Propyl (Rubbing Alcohol) [Optional]2. Tissue or Cotton Buds3. "Blunt" pointed tools4. Your preferred markers5. Butterfly Patterns6. Empty Drink can, Washed.7. Tape8. Foam sheet, Cork Board, or folded towel.9. Strong Scissors10. Hole Punch [Optional]11. Not Shown: Butterfly pictures.

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Image Notes1. Off-cut stuck in my finger, just a small prick but annoying.

Image Notes1. Blue Mountain Swallowtail (image form whatsthatbug.com)

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Step 2: Cutting and Preparing the CanI dislike this stage, it's not fun but it is a necessary evil, at least until I invent some kind of can cutting jig (if I do I will post it on here)

This is the step most likely to cause injury, the cutting produces sharp burs, points and jagged edges, as well as small flying pieces of metal. Please take care.

Your can should be rinsed out and allowed to dry, if you do not wish to wait, push a tissue through the hole in the can to absorb the moisture inside, that way it doesn'ttrickle out when you are working.

Start by pushing a scissor point into the can just below the shoulder to make a hole, be sure you fingers are well clear in case the scissors slip.

Cut around the can using the shoulder as a guide until you have removed the top.

Watching out for sharp sections cut straight down the can to the base, if you are able, over-cut slightly into the base, this will make it easier to turn the scissors for thenext step.

Cut around the base of the can until it is removed, discard the top and bottom of the can for recycling.

Trim a small section from length of each edge to remove any sharp bits and jagged sections, if required cut off any sharp corners, a smooth edge is unlikely to harm you.Discard the offcuts but take care, they may well be very sharp.

You will probably find the metal has a curl in it from the previous shape of the can, this curl may be made worse by the cutting. Gripping at each end of the metal bend itover the edge of a table in the opposite direction to the curl and run it up and down a few times, this should straighten out the curl, don't over do it or it will curl the otherway. It doesn't have to be completely flat, this just makes it easier to work with.

Image Notes1. Shoulder of the can2. Only used as a pointer here

Image Notes1. Recycle off-cuts but be careful these are the sharpest bits of all

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Image Notes1. Carefully insert point of the scissors to make a hole.

Image Notes1. Cut around the can following the shoulder

Image Notes1. Despite being left to dry some moister remained in the can, this could havebeen soaked up by inserting a tissue before cutting.

Image Notes1. Very sharp jagged edge

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Image Notes1. Cut straight down the can

Image Notes1. Over-cut slightly into the base.

Image Notes1. Cut around the base

Image Notes1. Recycle2. Sharp Jagged Corner3. Jagged edge

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Image Notes1. Small easily missed barb.

Image Notes1. Cut along the sides to produce a smooth edge

Image Notes1. Remove jagged corners completly

Image Notes

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1. The metal may have a curl in it from its old shape, cutting may also cause itto curl.

Image Notes1. Run the metal over the edge of a table bending it in the opposite direction of thecurl. Don't over do it, or it will curl the other way

Image Notes1. Doesn't need to be perfectly flat

Step 3: Transfering the Pattern to the MetalPrint out the patterns.Choose the shape and size butterfly pattern you want, cut out a square of paper around it, don't cut out the exact shape in the paper!Place a small section of tape along the top edge of the patternOrientate the pattern to best fit the metal taking into account any missing corners. Stick the pattern down.You may find that your can has a design you wish to use as decoration, if so place your pattern over the section you wish to use.Note: The following steps should be done on your foam sheet to get the best effect, alas I forgot, but fortunately my cutting mat has some give so it stillworked.Using one of your pointed tools and following the pattern, push down to create small dents in the matel all the way along. Don't press so hard as to makehole. It'snot the end of the work if you do though.You can use the tape as a hinge to flip the pattern up and check you have enough dents to follow.

Concentrate dents around the sharp bends to get the shape rightOnce you are happy with the number of dots carefully peel off the tape and put the pattern aside to be use again if needed.Using a fine tip marked connect the dots. Even if you are using the cans own design as the decorative side it is easiest to do this and the following steps onthe “shiny” side.Don't worry if you pattern differs slightly in places to the original.If you make a mistake, the marker can easily be removed by some Iso-Propyl on a tissue.

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Image Notes1. Cut out a square of paper around the butterfly pattern you want.

Image Notes1. Tape along edge

Image Notes1. Empty pattern area goes over missing corner.2. Blood blister caused by a hammer, unrelated to this instructable :)

Image Notes1. Stick pattern down.

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Image Notes1. Press tip in to create a dent in the metal, follow along the pattern at regularintervals and on ever side of a curve.2. Don't forget to mark the antenna3. Put one dent on either side of the base and one at the tip

Image Notes1. Use tape as a hinge to check you have enough dents2. Dents not holes

Image Notes1. Connect the dots with a marker pen.

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Image Notes1. Pattern completely traced2. Concentrate dents around curves to get the shape right

Image Notes1. Pattern transferred to metal, don't worry if it doesn't match the original exactly

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Step 4: Cutting Out your ButterflyStep 4 Cutting out the Butterfly Blank

Caution: You will again be making some sharp points and there may be some small pieces of metal flying around. So some care is required.

A note on cutting: I have found it is better to always cut “into” the narrow tight sections of the pattern from either direction. To this end I have included a guide to cuttingout. Each line represents a new cut and should be cut from Red to Blue.

Cut along the outline of the Butterfly trying to “hit” all the dents along the way, again its up to you how accurate you are, small mistakes likely not be evident.

If you have cut into a point from both sides and the piece is still attached by a very narrow section don't be temped to cut further, it could cause damage. Instead grip thepiece you wish to remove and “wiggle” gently it should come away with ease.

Leave the antennae till last, cut straight across from wing to wing above them, then flow done each side.

Narrow sections of metal such as the antennae will curl when being cut out, but can be bent straight again with a little care.

Once the shape is fully cut out go back and trim off any sharp points and smooth off the small corners that can form on a curve.

Once you have you completed Butterfly “Blank” go over it with some of the rubbing alcohol on a tissue to remove the marker and clean the surface.

Image Notes1. Cuts should be along the black line.

Image Notes1. Follow along the outline with the scissors.

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Image Notes1. Cut into narrow sections from either direction.

Image Notes1. Still joined by narrow section.

Image Notes1. Grip piece and "wiggle" back and forth Image Notes

1. Piece will come away cleanly

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Image Notes1. For the bottom section cut up from the bottom to the center of the body and thenout to the base of the wing.

Image Notes1. Curled Antenna need to be straightened after cutting.

Image Notes1. Sharp points should be trimmed round2. Corners on curves should be smoothed.3. Don't worry too much about bends and creases form during cutting

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Image Notes1. Completed Butterfly blank

Image Notes1. Soak a small amount onto a tissue

Image Notes1. Clean the surface

Step 5: Embossing and Adding Detail.You will notice I have now remembered the foam sheet, however the use of the hole punch as described below is better done at the beginning of this step, I did it out oforder.

With which ever side you want to show facing up, use your blunt point to press a line into the blank on either side of the body, from where each wing begins to where itends.

You will notice the wings now lift up slightly.

Flip the butterfly over and using the fat end of a pencil or similar shape tool, pushing down along the length of the body section to emboss it out. When flipped back overthe body should have a nice shape along its length.

Again the next part is best done at the beginning of this step. It is however completely optional depending on the type of butterfly you are making.

Some Butterflies like the Blue Mountain Swallowtail have indents along the length of the wings edge. I find it easiest to do these using a hole punch to “nibble” the edgewhere needed, although you could probably do it with your scissors.

Again using your pencil/embossing point indent a line across each wing, bisecting it, this should be as deep as those used to make the body.

With your embossing point make patterns in the wing to represent the natural ridges a butterfly would have, accuracy is up to you, on this occasion I chose to do simplearks on the the wings. These embossed lines need not be as deep as those made previously.

This last action may cause the wings to curl in a way we do not want.

Flip the Butterfly over again and run embossing point above and bellow the original lines that bisected the wings. This should take some of the curl out of the wings,however some further manipulation with your fingers may be needed to get it looking right.

You may need to go back and remove any further sharp points at this stage.

If you are using the design of the can as decoration or feel you like your butterfly metal coloured then you are done!

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Image Notes1. Pushing down place a dented line into the blank to for the body, several stokesmay be needed

Image Notes1. Flip over2. Emboss out the body the back of a pencil.

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Image Notes1. Wings now fold up from the surface.

Image Notes1. Body now has a natural curve.

Image Notes1. Nibble away small indents with your hole punch.

Image Notes1. Nibbled edge2. Bisected wing.

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Image Notes1. Emboss patterns into the wing. These should not be deep lines.

Image Notes1. Wing embossing causes the wings to curl

Image Notes1. Run embossing point above and bellow the original lines that bisected thewings.

Image Notes1. Finished undecorated butterly

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Step 6: DecoratingThis step is entirely up to you I will just add some pointers.

Sharpies and other permanent markers work well, the metallic sheen will show through them giving a glossy iridescent finish.

The colour could be scratched off, but should stand up to being handled

Lighter colours should be done first and then darker colours can be added over them if need be. This stops the lighter colour pen nibs being ruined by picking up thedarker colour.

When doing blocks of colour work quickly and avoid going over already dry sections it will make streaks by removing the colour.

If you clean the surface with Iso-Propyl before colouring the Sharpie ink may run a bit before drying, this is good as it give a smoother colour finish. Obviously this wonthappen if the markers are starting to get low on ink. 

A good way to add subtle detail is to dab spots onto an already coloured section with the same colour, if there is enough ink the spots will grow slightly, it gives a goodeffect. 

Using the markers over each other can block the felt of tip or cause it to pick up the underlying colour but a quick scribble on scrap paper will clear this.

If you make a mistake use your Iso-proply to erase it.

Posca or similar markers can be use to add light detail, like the white dots many butterflies have on their wings.

Posca markers take abit longer to dry and will not allow the metallic sheen to show through, giving a matt finish where used.

Of cause if you wish you could spray paint the butterflies a flat colour, this can be quite effective, and faster if you are planning on making lots of these.

And finally remember to recycle your off cuts.

I hope you have found this fun and useful and I pray it was easy to follow with out being too long winded, as ever my Dyslexic disclaimer about spelling applies :) .

Image Notes1. Add the lighter colours first

Image Notes1. Leave section that will be another colour unfilled this saves using themarkers over each other too much2. Mistakes can be erased with rubbing alcohol on a tissue

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Image Notes1. Add darkest colours last and over the top of the lighter ones if need be.

Image Notes1. Colouring completed

Image Notes1. Lighter detail can be added with posca markers

Image Notes1. The finished Butterfly, differs from the Blue Mountain Swallowtail by havingthe white dots on the wing but I like them.

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Image Notes1. Hand drawn experimenting with shapes decoration could use some work2. My first attempt, cut blind into the metal, I like it but felt the patterns wouldmake for a better design3. The shape of one butterfly with the decoration of another4. My attempt to recreate a Monarch Butterfly, the orange came out a bit too darkon the steel, compare it to the same orange marker on the aluminum below

Image Notes1. Recycle your offcuts2. Old disk spinel covers make great desk-top bins.

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