Introduction: Tin Rose Bud

"There is simply the rose; it is perfect in every moment of its existence." -- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Roses are a symbol of love, romance and have been used as a metaphor for life.

They are lovely to look at and pleasant to smell, but let’s face it, they wilt and die.

There are a few instructables already created demonstrating metal roses.

(A shout out to DIY Recycled Metal Rose by Muhaiminah Faiz, How to Make a Metal Rose by Downard Works, and The Tin Can Rose by CJStephens!)

These show great projects to make a lovely rose in bloom, but did you know that a rose in bloom symbolizes something different than a rosebud?

It's true! Rosebuds symbolize new love, youth, beauty and innocence.

Why not give something that will not wilt, or die, and will hold special significance because it is made by your own hands, and will symbolize how new and fresh your love will forever be?

This Instructable will demonstrate an easy way to make a tin rosebud.

Step 1: Materials

  • An aluminum can (I used a 24 ounce can, but a 12 ounce can would make a smaller bud)
  • A 6 inch nail – (If you are using a smaller can, then a smaller nail would work)
  • Super glue
  • Scissors
  • Needle nose pliers
  • Rubber band
  • Sturdy glove (Tin cans have sharp edges)

Step 2: Prep the Can

  1. Empty and clean the can.
  2. With the scissors pierce the can near the top.
  3. Cut around the top.
  4. Repeat for the bottom of the can.
  5. Cut down the side of the tin cylinder.
  6. Trim the edges to remove any ragged cuts or frayed slivers
  7. Roll the rectangle sheet of tin inside out and secure with the rubber band. This will help flatten out the tin making it easier to work with so it does not keep rolling up on you.

Step 3: Cut the Tin

  1. Cut a section off the tin making a square. These will make the petals. It does not need to be a perfect square, this will allow unique petal shaping.
  2. Cut the smaller rectangle lengthwise into two near-equal parts. These will make the sepals.
  3. Identify the center of all three pieces, and with the nail, pierce the centers.
  4. Cut the ends of the sepals into tapered ends.
  5. With the square, cut and remove thin strips beginning at the corners to not quite the middle. These will allow for folding points of the petals, and establish the bottom base for your bud. You should now have something that loosely resembles a Maltese Cross.

Step 4:

  1. From the label side of the tin, push the nail through the hole in the center.
  2. Add some super glue to the nail head where it meets the tin to hold it into place.
  3. Fold over one of the triangular shapes towards the middle of the square so that it is perpendicular to the rest of the tin.
  4. Fold the two corners of the triangle in and crimp with the pliers.
  5. With the pliers, roll one of the sides tightly toward the middle of the triangle forming a small tube.
  6. Wrap the other side of the triangle around the small tube. Try to make it as tight as the tin will allow without creasing it.
  7. Fold up the opposite triangle to the middle.
  8. Again, with the pliers, wrap one side of the new triangle around the tube.
  9. Wrap the second side of the new triangle around the first.
  10. This time, without folding next triangle up, roll the sides with the pliers.
  11. Now, fold this rolled triangle up to the center. Open the rolls enough to wrap around the center, but not enough to loosen the shape.
  12. With the final triangle, fold over a small amount of corner and crimp with the pliers just like the first triangle.
  13. Use the pliers to roll the two sides.
  14. Fold this last triangle up to the center, again opening the rolls just enough.
  15. Secure the entire bud with the rubber band.

Step 5:

  1. Add superglue to the flat bottom of the bud and where it meets the nail.
  2. Slide one of the sepals down the length of the nail, label side down, until it is against the bottom of the bud.
  3. Add glue to the bottom of the sepal near the nail.
  4. Slide the second sepal down the nail and press against the super glue. Make sure it is perpendicular to the first sepal sheet.
  5. With the pliers, roll the ends of each sepal down

Step 6: Final Glue

  1. Add some superglue to the out most petals to hold the rosebud closed after removing the rubber band.
  2. When completely dry, remove the rubber band.

Step 7: Present Your Rosebud

Present your never-wilting, symbol of eternally young love to the object of your desire.

I hope you found this project easy and wish to try it yourself.

Enjoy!

And as always, thanks for checking out my instructables!

Before and After Contest 2016

Participated in the
Before and After Contest 2016

Valentine's Day Challenge 2016

Participated in the
Valentine's Day Challenge 2016