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  • Simple Recycled Kaleidoscopes - Project #46

Simple Recycled Kaleidoscopes Project

Time: 2-3 Class Periods
Difficulty: Moderate
Cleanup: Soap & Water

Materials:
Glass Paint
Paintbrush
Glue Stick
Chipboard or Cardboard
Mirror Film
Colored Masking Tape
Potato Chip Canister
Craft Knife
Tape
Scissors
Awl or Needle Tool
Needle Nose Pliers



Create your own Kaleidoscope with a potato chip canister!


Steps

  • Step 1
    With a craft knife, cut three 2-1/2" wide panels out of the 12x12" sheet of chipboard (the panels should be as tall as your potato chip canister, since not all canisters are the same height you will need to measure). Using a glue stick, glue pieces of mirror paper (slightly larger than the chipboard) onto each of the three panels. Trim the excess mirror paper from the edges.
  • Step 2
    Tape the three panels together on the chipboard side. Now fold the panels, so that the mirror paper faces inward, and tape the edge.
  • Step 3
    Poke a hole in the metal end of the potato chip canister with an awl or other sharp tool, like a Kemper Needle Tool. Insert needle nose pliers into the hole to enlarge it to around 1/4" in diameter. Place the mirror assembly into the canister.
  • Step 4
    Use glass paint and to color the inside of the cap. You can use a black permanent marker to create outlines before adding color, if desired.
  • Step 5
    Decorate the canister with colored masking tape, if desired.
  • Optional Tip 1
    If you have extra caps you can add small beads, yarn or string and tape caps together instead of painting. (You will need beads, string, yarn and other small objects, etc.) View picture from Step 4 for an example of how it looks.

Products Used