Pop Tab Christmas Tree
A unique and creative way to recycle aluminum

This unique pop tab Christmas tree shows that you can make a festive homemade Christmas decoration using the tabs off soda cans. So what do you think? Have you ever seen a Christmas tree crafted from pop tabs before?

Let me tell you that there is just no end to the surprises the world of recycling offers.

I find pop tabs easy and fun to craft with. I am always challenging myself to come up with different ways to use pop tabs to make something new and wonderful.

I have made bracelets and wreath ornaments but I have to say that I am pretty pleased with this artsy creation I came up with because it is unique and as far as I know it's one-of-a-kind.

Materials:

a wire cone shape
a bunch of pop tabs
hot glue
spray paint
pom poms
craft foam

Instructions:

1. Buy a wire cone at a thrift store like the Dollar Store or at a craft store. I don't know how well a styrofoam cone would work. You could try it but I don't think the pop tabs would stick very well.

2. Collect all the pop tabs you can find, plug in your hot glue gun and get prepared to be gluing for a while. I started at the tip of the wire cone and glued pop tabs on in a circular motion. So I glued 4 pop tabs at the very top and then moved down to make the 2nd circular row. I glued the 2nd row directly under the 1st row without overlapping the pop tabs.

3. The pop tabs did not perfectly cover the entire cone so I played around and glued more pop tabs on in an overlapping fashion in order to cover every part of the cone.

4. Spray paint the pop tab covered cone green. Let the paint completely dry.

5. Glue small pom poms on the pop tabs - just as if you were decorating a real tree.

6. Draw a star shape on a piece of yellow foam, then cut it out and glue it to the top of the pop tab Christmas tree.

You did it! It is a little time consuming to make but I had a lot of fun making it. If you decide to make this craft I would love to see a picture of the finished product!