BOTTLECAPS - How to flatten bottle caps into scrapbooking embellishments
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Flattened bottlecaps for scrapbook / altered art embellishments
This tutorial will show you step by step, two different and simple ways to flatten bulky bottle caps into nice, creative, thin embellishments for your scrapbooks, mixed media, altered art or even into jewelry, such as personalized photo pendants!
How to flatten bottle caps into embellishments by using a Sizzix machine and converter plate or by using a basic household hammer.
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2 different flattening methods...
The easier of the 2 ways shown here today will be the use of a Sizzix machine & converter plate. Simply lay up to 6 caps in two rows on the Sizzix converter plate with the flat side up and firmly press the Sizzix handle down. You will end up with nice flat bottlecaps without having to exert any real effort or energy.If using the colored bottlecaps this method will most likely save on any scratches or paint flakes.
For those of you without a Sizzix machine or just looking for a way to release some tension :o) ...follow this easy step by step photographed guide and create some equally nice flattened bottle cap embellishments.
Step #1. Supplies
To manually hammer bottlecaps flat, you will need:- metal bottlecaps
- a hammer or mallet
- a rubber mat
Step #2. Removing the glue
Now we have to remove the glue used to seal the cap to the bottle. This needs to be removed if placing images or embellishments on the INSIDE. Some crafters choose not to flatten the caps but rather to leave them large and place the image or decoration on the FLAT part of the OUTSIDE of the cap. 
There are 2 different ways to remove the glue and both involve HEAT. You can use a crafters heat gun or a household candle.Both methods will require a pair of needle nose pliers to hold the cap because as you heat it to melt the glue it will become too hot to hold.
I have tried both methods. I prefer the candle as it leaves a dirty, smoky burnt look to the metal, aging it naturally.
Warm the glue for a few seconds (approx 8) and then start to pick at it with either a Popsicle stick or large needle...starting at the edge and moving towards the center to peel off. Hammering them flat
Place rubber mat over bottlecap
Step #3. Hammering them flat
Next, place the bottlecap FLAT SIDE DOWN onto a hard flat surface like a work table or concrete floor.Lay rubber mat OVER bottlecap(s) ...you can do several at a time once you get the hang of it.
...and start to hammer edges...they will naturally curve over creating a thinner embellishment.
Step #4. Decorating Bottlecap
Now you are ready to embellish the center with the image of your choice.Here's a great gift idea!...drill a hole into your cap, add a jump ring and family photo and create a wonderful gift for mom or grandma!
Bottlecap digital collage sheets are an easy way to quickly get your hands on several images that have already been measured and fit into/onto caps perfectly!
Simply cut out or punch out with a 1" paper punch the desired image and glue it into place! Your embellishment is complete!
At GreatMusings we have hundreds of digital collage sheets and bottlecap ones too!
Easy peasy & they look great!
Need bottlecaps?...check these out & start creating today!
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Don't want to use a hammer?...pick up a Sizzix machine....
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand byBottlecap Images...
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand byYou'll need a heat gun to remove that glue...
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand byGreat books on Scrapbooking!
...preserve those memories in style!
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Who's talkin about bottlecaps on Twitter?
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- ssdavidw
- Imma let you finnish, but Bottlecaps are the greatest candy of all time.
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- PeaceMusicBaby
- chomp chomp chomp munch munch munch on bottlecaps, more candy less sleep. hahaa.
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- cee__dub
- http://twitpic.com/sc9xj - Xmas tree decorating party underway. Only bottlecaps & wine corks s o far. Beer cans coming soon..
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- nimnil
- http://twitpic.com/sbpkm - my new shoes - made of hemp and bottlecaps!
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- jellybonesss
- @xandzmommy no legos or hot wheels around here, just lots and lots of beer bottlecaps and video gamne paraphernalia. haha
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Your chance to tell me what you think...
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- GoGreenBeans GoGreenBeans Nov 21, 2009 @ 11:10 am
- What a great way to get some aggression out (hammer!) and turn it into something beautiful! Love it!
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- spirituality spirituality Nov 18, 2009 @ 10:35 am
- Great lens, blessed by a squidangel :)
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- nightcats nightcats Nov 2, 2009 @ 11:53 am
- A truly great lens. I'm recommending you on one of my crafting sites. Thanks so much.,
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- ChapelHillFiddler ChapelHillFiddler Sep 2, 2009 @ 7:53 am
- Well that's interesting, I never heard of this before. And there's a machine to flatten bottlecaps? Amazing. The folks that make giant puppets use flattened bottlecaps as washers when they drill through the paper mache into support struts, so they won't tear out. Thanks for this!
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- BevsPaper BevsPaper Aug 9, 2009 @ 7:58 pm
- What a cool lens! Never heard of this use before but I like it!
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More about this crafter:
Lensmaster alteredkat has been a member since January 23 2008, has rated 1,064 lenses, favorited 192, and has created 43 lenses from scratch. This member's top-ranked page is "How to make a Scrabble Tile Pendant". See all my lenses
My Bio
I am AlteredKat. I love creating art + jewelry.
I also sell art supplies to artists + scrapbookers to help with bills as I am a WAHM who loves her #1 job of raising the kids.
In between altering art + laundry, you'll find me in the kitchen; cooking + baking The only tv I watch is Survivor. I'd rather be geo-caching with the fam.
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