How to Flatten Bottle Caps

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.

To manually hammer bottlecaps flat, you will need:

- metal bottle caps
- a hammer or rubber mallet
- an X-Acto self healing cutting mat

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 crafting 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.
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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.

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 www.GreatMusings.com we have hundreds of digital collage sheets and bottlecap ones too!

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