Metal Rose

Length of Project:
Project theme:
Suitable for grades:
Beginner metal work! This gorgeous metal rose is made of shaped can lids and is a great introduction to working with new materials.

Thank you to Ms. Moneca Conway of School District 60 - Peace River North for sharing this fantastic project with Skills Ready!

Watch a "Step by Step Tutorial" created by Ms. Conway using the video link under the project photos.
Watch Step by Step Tutorial
Tools & Materials
Material List
  • 4 x tin can lids = 2 large, 1 medium, 1 small
  • 1 printed metal rose project stencil file:///C:/Users/Jessie/Downloads/Metal-Rose-Project-Stencil.pdf
  • 10" insulated wire, or one thick strand of bare copper wire
  • 2-part epoxy or super glue
  • 1 x nail (approx the same thickness as the copper wire)
  • 1 x popsicle stick
  • 4 x small nuts (approx same hole diameter as exposed copper wire)
  • 1 x flat scrap of wood for work surface
Tool list
  • can opener
  • hammer
  • metal shears
  • permanent marker
  • needle nose pliers
  • wire strippers
  • work gloves
  • safety glasses
Procedure
  1. Put on safety glasses and work gloves. Remove the tops and bottoms of your four cans.
  2. Print off the metal rose project stencil (https://www.prn.bc.ca/curric/?p=1223). Cut out the black petal shapes and place them each on a can lid that fits it best.
  3. Hammer a nail into the middle of the petal stencil, through the can top, and right into the scrap wood surface.
  4. Use the permanent marker to trace around the petal stencil onto the can top, then pull the nail out and set the lid aside. Repeat for the remaining 2 can tops.
  5. Use your metal shears to carefully cut the petal shapes out of the can tops. Try to cut round edges on your petals, trimming away any sharp points.
  6. Start shaping your petals: use your needle nose pliers to slightly curve the petal edges upward into your desired degree of spoon shapes. Repeat this step for all 4 petals of each of the 4 cutouts.
  7. Next, go back and carefully bend only the very outside edges of each petal downward, in the opposite curve than the first spoon shape you made.
  8. If you are using insulated wire, use your wire strippers to pull out the copper wire.
  9. Use the needle nose pliers to roll the end of the wire into a tight curl.
  10. If using, mix 2-part epoxy onto a tin can lid and stir with a popsicle stick. Make sure to read epoxy instructions.
  11. Thread your smallest petal section onto the wire so that the curl sits in the cup of the petals. Thread on one of the nuts and apply epoxy or super glue to secure the nut below the petal section.
  12. Repeat for the remaining petals, gluing a nut between each layer, and one below the last petal section.
  13. Wait for the glue to cure, then enjoy your beautiful rose!
Extension Challenges
  1. Make a whole bouquet of metal roses.
  2. Add colourful paint to your rose.
  3. Try using different types of metal to make different coloured roses.
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