Jillian came up with this super cute table number idea after dinner at a restaurant that had something similar on their tables. Such an excellent way to make cute, but inexpensive (and recycled!) numbers for your tables. Plus they glow and we all know that you positively cannot have too much candle light on a dinner table.
Here’s what you need to get started. The tin cans (obviously). We suggest stopping by a local restaurant and asking if they have any empty tin cans they could part with. Just tell them you want them for your garden or something… no need to go into the whole story, you know? The nice thing about commercial cans is that they’re way bigger than regular soup cans from the store.
Then you’ll need:
drill (with an appropriately sized bit)
gold spray paint
tape
candles
a ruler
letter size colored paper
spray mount
exacto knife
cutting mat
and your number stencils, which you can download here.
Step 1: Tape off the inside of your cans so no spray paint gets inside. Spray the outside of each can with the gold spray paint (or any color you like). Be sure you don’t hold the spray can nozzle too close to the tin can, which can make for drippy, runny lines down your pretty table numbers and no one wants that.
You may need to do two or three coats depending on how opaque you want to the color to be.
Step 2: Once your cans are dry, wrap your printed number stencil around each tin can.
Step 3: Drill. Yay! Start by drilling the outline of the number first (following the stencil line), and then work your way in. It certainly doesn’t have to be perfect, but the more holes you can drill, the more light your can will give off.
Step 4: Slide your colored paper into the can on the opposite side as the number. Mark the paper with the appropriate height and width (you don’t want it to cover your numbers. Next trim the paper to the correct size using your cutting mat and exacto.
Step 5: Spray mount the trimmed paper to the inside of your can (opposite the number). And you’re done! We used red paper but you can of course use whatever color you like. If you’re using a color you’re not sure about, consider doing a test can first and lighting it that night to make sure you like the look before you finish the rest of your numbers.
Voila! Pretty, recycled table numbers.
Download the number stencil template here.
36 comments
Great project! I would do this.
SO CUTE! I made a Christmas votive holder like this in elementary school. We filled the cans with water and froze them so we could use a hammer and nail to make the holes. I still have mine 25 years later!
Such a cute idea, I love the modern look with the cans.
What a great idea! This would be nice with a floral pattern for everyday as well.
Awesome idea! It’s like table numbers and candles in one but still looking very classy!
brilliant idea! perfect for a summery outdoor special day!
I love new ways to recycle tin cans!
Thank you for sharing the tutorial, love the idea of recycling tin cans. You definitely can never have too many candles.
This is a GREAT idea. You could use alphabetical stencils, too .. I want to make some of these!
I love these DIY table numbers. They would be perfect for a garden wedding.
What an awesome idea and very budget friendly. Where was this idea when I was getting married?
what a beautiful idea!
just a cute, unique idea!!!!!
This is adorable! I’m not getting married, but I would definitely put something like this in my kitchen! Maybe switch the numbers with letters and spell out something cute! =) Thanks a million!
This is so clever - perfect for summer!
I like that you are using cans that are commercial size. They will add weight to a nice table centerpiece. I also like that you can use any paper inside to create a look and feel that will match your wedding style.
These are awesome–so creative! I’m going to make some for our back yard BBQs.
love love love…so creative
This is such a unique & cool idea…
love this idea! you could paint the inside of the can instead and then put little tea lights inside. adorable!
such a fabulous idea! really for any occasion. you could do it with letters too and spell out fabulous words. really great!
love it! might do it for my wedding… i’ll let you know how they turn out!
omg, how adorable. my friends did something similar for a party; they nailed personalized designs into the lids of mason jars and everyone took theirs home at the end of the night.
LOVE this! What a great idea. I’ll be linking.
What a great idea!
I love recycle ideas !! So cute!
Thanks for the tutorial!!
I’ve got to echo everyone else on this, I absolutely love this idea. I’ve been seeing it around the blogs and I think it’s the most creative, most easily diy-ed idea for a centerpiece. I love that it’s so easily personalized, and that you can alter the colors to match your own preferences. Thanks so much for posting this!
This is such a cool idea. And if I found cans with graphics as great-looking as these Bazzini Nuts cans, I’m not sure I would even paint the outsides. Lovely.
Sharon
I LOVE this idea….could you just paint the inside of the can rather than put colored paper inside?
Hi there,
Yes, you could spray paint the inside. If you do that I’d spray the inside first then spray the outside. You can’t just use regular paint b/c it won’t stick. I tried that at first.
This is a great idea. Can you please tell me what the volume is on these cans? Thanks
Okay thanks so much!
Jillian - you rock as always. I just came across a huge stash of BRAND NEW paint cans for 30 CENTS each at Urban Ore in Berkeley. I picked them up trying to figure out what I could do creatively with them (use as succulent pot holders or centerpieces) and voila, I came across your post. Grazie, bella!
I love this! I’m already married, but I think I’ll make it with our house numbers and line them up on our front porch.
Loved the idea so much, I posted it on my blog
Thank you for sharing your creativity!
This is such a fabulous idea. I love the way it turns something so ordinary into something lovely.