Mini May Day Baskets

Creating mini-May Day baskets with mouthwash bottle caps is great way to get into the spirit of Earth Day (reuse, recycle and reduce).

Posted by Steven James

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What are you gonna make today?

Earth Day, May 1st and Mother's Day are just around the corner, why not celebrate all of them with one project! Creating mini-May Day baskets with mouthwash bottle caps is great way to get into the spirit of Earth Day (reuse, recycle and reduce).

But what if you don't celebrate May Day? Then make it one of your Mother's Day projects. It can be used in a variety of ways - from a simple candy container to a small planting pot (drill a hole through the bottom for drainage). Extra fine point paint pens are the key to producing a colorful pattern around the cap, however some caps don't have the distinctive ridges. If you cap is ridge free, consider using the pens to add a free formed design!

You can also mix up the designs for your handle, use basic wire with a twist or beaded stringing wire.

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You Will Need (4 things)

  • Marker Pen(s)
  • Mouthwash Lid
  • Wire
  • Seed Beads

Steps (8 steps, 60 minutes)

  1. 1

    Before you begin, wash the inside of the cap with hot, soapy water and dry. Next, use a tool to punch two holes, one of each side of the cap. A two-hole punch (available in the tool store) would also work for this project.

  2. 2

    The holes should be large enough for your handle, be it basic metal wire or a beaded design. Planning to use the cap as a mini flower pot, use a small hand drill to poke a hole through the bottom of the cap.

  3. 3

    The key to coloring the cap is to use Extra Fine Point Coloring Pens. Deco Color makes them in a variety of colors. Slowly draw the point within the individual wells which run around the cap.

  4. 4

    The wells are perfectly-sized for the extra point and make the process much easier. Think about your design, before you begin determine your pattern. The raised white lines around the cap help add a perfect contrast to the pattern.

  5. 5

    To create a wire handle with interesting coiled ends, cut a piece approximately 6 inches long. Use a round nose plier to make the first loop, then a flat head tool (straight or bent nose pliers) to coil the wire. Keep coiling for 3-4 turns.

  6. 6

    Insert the wire from the outside in and bring it back through the other side. Snip off the wire leaving about 3/4 inch of wire. Repeat the coiling process on the other side and adjust the handle.

  7. 7

    Next, string beads onto the middle part of the handle, then add one crimp tube to each side of the string, add 10 beads, then insert wire through hole. Add ten more beads and bring wire through crimp. Close the tubes with crimping tool.

  8. 8

    Three holidays in one project. These baskets (cleverly disguised mouthwash bottle caps) can be used as favors or part of a table setting. Got a green thumb? Trying planting tiny flowers inside, drill a hole through the bottom for drainage.