Make Your Own Cookie Cutters

Intro: Make Your Own Cookie Cutters

It can be frustrating when catering for a special event or party and not being able to find nice cookie cutters. During December I made a variety of Christmas cookies - and couldn't find any nice cookie cutters and ended up making my own shapes. Recycled aluminum cans are perfect for making your own cookie cutters.

You can make almost any shape of cookie cutter that you want. I didn't take any pics of the cookie cutters that I made, but made another one just to show you how easy it is!

STEP 1: Cut Your Cans

Before you start you need to cut the base off your recycled aluminium can. The best way to do this is to use a Dremel MultiTool and cutting disk. If you don't have a Dremel MultiTool you can use a junior hacksaw.

With the base removed you can use tin snips or all-purpose scissors to cut a slit up the side of the can and also to remove the top rim of the aluminium can. Cut the removed section into strips about 4cm wide. DO wear gloves when doing the cutting, as the cut edges are sharp.

Once you have a nice straight strip of aluminium, use a Dremel MultiTool and grinding stone to dull the edge.
Alternatively, use 60-grit sandpaper to dull the sharp edge.

STEP 2: Draw Your Cookie Shape

Draw your design to scale on a piece of paper.
You will use a pair or needle- or long-nose pliers to bend the aluminium strip into shape.

STEP 3: Bend to Create the Shape for Your Cookie Cutter

It's better to work from the top down and create a mirror effect for both sides. I started at the top by bending into shape for the bunny ears.

With a scrap block of wood to serve as a straight edge, bend the aluminium strip around this to start working on curves and corners. It was tricky the first time I made a cookie cutter, but I very quickly got the hang of bending and curving the aluminium strip into shape.

STEP 4: Glue the Edges to Finish

To join the edges of the strip use epoxy glue, preferably one that cures quickly. I used Pattex extra strong clear epoxy adhesive. It took about 5 minutes to set hard. During that time I manually held the pieces together.

So, so easy and you can recycle all your aluminium cans to make as many shapes as you like. Cookie cutters for parties, special occasions and celebrations!

Don't forget to pop onto www.Home-Dzine.co.za to see more crafty ideas and projects.

Comments

[rstackhouse]

Did you do any research as to whether that epoxy is safe to use in food preparation settings? Have you given any thought to attaching the ends of your design with rivets? A hand riveter and aluminum rivets are fairly inexpensive. I'm not entirely sure, but I believe the cookie cutters my wife has are riveted. I did a quick search online and the ones I found appear to be riveted or welded.

[gemtree]

You can put the epoxy weld on the outside. Since it is not under pressure, riveting is not needed. Also, done this way, people that wish to pour their 'cookie' won't have to worry about the cookie going out the rivet hole or having a ding in the cookie from the rivet imprint. This idea might be wonderful for epoxy pours.

[gemtree]

Beautiful idea, Thank you for sharing!

[stib]

Aluminium flashing (sold in hardware shops) is an alternative if you don't want to cut up old cans (or if you're like me and don't have any aluminium cans).

[rose_adamaj]

I had been thinking about taking apart old cookie cutters I don't use anymore & reshaping them. After seeing this ible, I know it's possible---& better yet, I now know how to make anything I can think of!!! Thank you so much!!!

[dezine]

When you take into consideration the method of use (as cookie
cutters) and that the epoxy will not be scratched or heated, it is a
safe method to use. There is probably just as much contamination from
minute amounts of rust on metal-riveted parts as there is from epoxy.

[sabu.dawdy]

niceeee

[nic nak]

genius

[HollyMann]

awesome!

[sydneyhauss]

Smart!!

[engineersdaughter]

I love it! I totally need a camel cookie cutter. Does it work to keep one rim and the circle intact? I can't weld it back together, and my dainty(Hah!) hands don't like sharp edges. They'd be small cutters - I'll have to try it. I've made doll chairs and crowns out of recycled cans, so I guess I can do this. Thank you

[dezine]

I don't think it would work if you left on the rim - too difficult to bend. The edges are sharp but I didn't cut my fingers once. Just a little care is required and sanding the edges dull.