A Place in a Tin

'A Place in a Tin' is a project very close to my heart. The project involves using a method called 3D paper layering (sounds complicated, trust me it's not).

You can use this method in different ways, but here, I'm going to be showing you how to use it for a place, in a tin.

The place I'm making today is Bahrain.

You will need:

• Tin (Please read Step 1 for more insight into the type of tin)
• Paper (try experimenting with different textured papers)
• Double-sided tape/ Cellotape/ Masking Tape
• Scissors
• Paint (Acrylic paint preferred)
• Tracing paper (optional, but honestly makes the process easier)
• Modge-Podge (Could be replaced by a glue-water mixture)
• Pencil

This tin could be of any size. It could range from small Nivea tins to even a huge Nido tins. Use whatever is readily available. I have used a Nivea tin that is this deep. (shown in image)

But keep in mind that the depth of your tin decides the number of layers you can put and the difficulty. The deeper the container, the more layers, and the more difficult. Also, the smaller the diameter, the more challenging to draw in details.

If you do not have any tins lying around, feel free to try this method on a cardboard roll. The instructions will differ, but the concept is the same.

Since My chosen place is Bahrain, I need to plan my design. I have attached a template of what I have done, but feel free to use whatever method you have in mind.

Using a sharp pencil, trace the outside of the tin onto your paper for this step.

Draw each layer of the design onto a circle. You can use tracing paper to trace the shape onto your cutout paper

Make sure that each layer is shorter than the one before it.

Once you are done, cut them out.

Paint the tin's outside and sides however you want. I am painting the Bahrain flag on the bottom and am writing text on top, for which I will show you a hack in the next step.

Draw your text on paper, and then trace it onto tracing paper. Then, securing the tracing paper onto the tin top, I used an empty pen to press down hard over the lines so that it gets embossed onto the paint (refer to the last picture to see results).

For heaven's sake, buy some modge-podge!

Unless you have experience with the glue-water mixture, the process can be arduous to use! Besides the fact that the paint may begin to leach and bleed. Nor is it long-lasting or consistent!

You can see the messy affair it is, to use glue-water!!

Paint the cutouts. It's simple.

Using double-sided tape, or rolled cellotape, attach the layers in order, one at a time, to the tin.

Your tin is finally done!

I realised too late that I had used very dark colours, so try using vibrant colours that reflect ht beauty of the place you are choosing.

My tin definitely needs to improve. But now, since I know what went wrong, I can help you out:

1. Invest in Modge-podge
2. Use bright or vibrant colours
3. The tin cannot shut tightly, so don't pick a very tight container.
4. Stiff paper for the cutouts will ensure that the edges don't curl.
5. Use a sharp pencil to ensure that the cutouts fit snugly.

And that is done and dusted! Have fun trying this out!!