Magical Floating Tin Can and Free Printable

We enjoy celebrating Halloween but tend to keep our spooky décor low-key. I would love to do stuff outside, but we stay really close to a Primary School, and in some places here in South Africa, Halloween is synonymous with witchcraft. So small and inside it is.  But that’s okay because I get to make fairy graveyards, skulls with weird hairdos, and Spider Girls :D Or this magical floating tin can filled with ghost breath.

 

Isn’t it cool?

 

And Sergeant Skullie looks like he approves too.

 

All in all, this easy Halloween idea can be finished in less than an hour and it’s sure to make friends and family do a double-take when they see that floating tin can spilling ghost breath all over the place.

 

Right, before I share this really easy Halloween idea, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or Instagram. And don’t forget to subscribe so you’ll never miss a post!

What you need

  • Clean empty tin can
  • Cauldron or container
  • Large pebble
  • Galvanized wire (14 or 16-gauge)
  • Packet of Halloween cobwebs
  • Free Ghost Breath printable
  • Hot glue gun and glue
  • Hammer and a nail

 

How to create a magical floating tin can

This is not the first time we made something float, but unlike the floating teapot, I didn’t have to wait for the glue to dry ;-) To make the magical floating tin can, use a hammer and a nail to make a small hole towards the top rim of the can. I used a tin can with the lid still half attached so made my hole directly underneath the open portion.

 

Cut a piece of wire at least 40 cm long and insert one end into the hole.

 

Use pliers to twist the wire around itself. The most difficult thing about getting the tin can to float is bending the wire. I normally use jewelry wire for our crafts because it’s easy to work with. Unfortunately, it’s not strong enough to suspend the tin can. Galvanised wire, on the other hand, worked, but you need to put a little elbow grease into bending it.

 

Bend the other end of the cut wire so it kinda twirls around itself as shown below.

 

Place the twirled end inside your cauldron or container ……

 

 and weigh the twirled end down with a large pebble.

 

Play around with the position slope of the tin can.

 

Once you’re happy, put a big dollop of glue on the inside of the can to keep the wire in the right position.

 

Print out the free Ghost Breath printable and cut it to fit around your floating tin can.

 

Glue the Ghost Breath label down.

 

Take some white cobwebs and wrap them loosely around the wire. Glue a small amount inside the floating tin can and drape more downwards into the pot or container to hide the large pebble.

 

And that’s it.

 

Easy right.

 

Doesn’t it look so freaky?

 

Here’s a piccy from the top of the floating tin can.

 

I staged the floating tin can with the famous Sergeant Skullie.

 

He’s resting up against a black vase filled with dead branches. So appropriate for Halloween and so easy to do too. Just grab a can of spray paint and some branches and spray away.  

 

To complete the picture, I added a few handmade runes….

 

And draped some hessian/burlap on the wall. What do you think? Would you add a floating tin can with ghost breath to your decor?

 

If you like the idea of creating a magical floating tin can, don’t forget to pin it for later.

 

Sharing is caring

 

More tin can upcycle ideas

Do you have a whole bunch of tin cans lying around that are just waiting for some crafty inspiration? Then here’s a few more ideas to get you started.

 

Oh and if you’re looking for some of the things we used, we’ve got you covered. Disclosure: Clicking on the links below, means we may receive a commission from Amazon. But don’t worry, it won’t come out of your pocket, and it helps us make more amazing crafts to share with you ;-)

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And if you prefer to buy rather than DIY, then maybe these beauties will appeal.

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And as always, wishing you a wonderful, crafty week filled with lots of love. Thank you for popping in for a visit.

Last update on 2026-04-15 / Source Amazon Affiliates

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26 comments

Linda at October 20, 2021 - 10:30 pm
That is so cool Michelle! I love the tin can label! Too bad yall can't decorate your yard and house like they do here. I bet yall would have the coolest and scariest yard around.
acraftymix October 21, 2021 - 10:49 am
:D I would so love to decorate all our big trees with ghosts and gigantic spiders and webs and stuff, but for now, they'll just have to live on in my imagination.
Kim October 19, 2021 - 1:52 am
That can label is awesome. I want to print it out and frame it. SO cool.
acraftymix October 19, 2021 - 11:08 am
I believe there's a big letter-sized version in the free printable if you like to frame that one ;-)
Donna via Funky Junk Interiors October 16, 2021 - 2:06 am
Believe you me... when I show my son this Halloween vignette with that floating can, my son WILL be making one this weekend! I even have a little cauldron pot that would be perfect! I can't wait to show him because this is so epic!
acraftymix October 16, 2021 - 7:16 pm
So happy to hear that Donna :D And just like his Mom, I bet he'll put a unique spin on his floating tin can.
Claire October 12, 2021 - 1:34 pm
Wow, this is such a cool, creative and clever Halloween decoration. You always come up with the best ideas.
acraftymix October 16, 2021 - 7:17 pm
Thanks so much, Claire. I had lots of fun making this one.
Marty Wald October 7, 2021 - 1:59 am
You are so clever!
acraftymix October 7, 2021 - 9:57 am
Thank you, Marty ;-)
Rosemary Palmer October 6, 2021 - 1:18 pm
I love this. Sometimes I miss decorating for Halloween so may pick things up on sale to do next year.
acraftymix October 11, 2021 - 6:09 pm
Halloween crafting is always so much fun. I hope you get into the spirit ;-) again
Meegan October 5, 2021 - 5:09 am
My grandkids will love this idea! I am excited to show them. Thanks for sharing your creativity, Michelle.
acraftymix October 7, 2021 - 9:57 am
You're welcome, Meegan.
maria October 5, 2021 - 2:22 am
What a genius idea. I am so impressed with the can and the smoke. amazing.
acraftymix October 7, 2021 - 9:59 am
Glad you like it, Maria. It's always fun coming up with new ways to add a little fright factor to our decor.
Susan Stevenson October 4, 2021 - 3:26 pm
That is adorable! Pinned for Halloween!
acraftymix October 4, 2021 - 6:36 pm
Thanks so much, Susan
Marie - Interior Frugalista October 4, 2021 - 3:24 pm
Wow, that is so cool Michelle! Sad that it can only be enjoyed by you guys. Halloween isn't near what it used to be back in the day when I was a child. We're lucky if we get 10 trick-or-treaters. Now it's more an excuse for the adults to party. Pinned :)
acraftymix October 11, 2021 - 6:11 pm
It's never really been a big thing here. I have seen that some of the security estates put something together for the kids, but it's controlled and there's lots of adult supervision and I'm assuming partying afterwards too :D
Sara October 4, 2021 - 2:11 pm
So cool! I never really gave it any thought that other areas of the world didn't embrace Halloween in the same way; so glad you decorate inside though because your displays are always fantastic Michelle!
acraftymix October 4, 2021 - 2:38 pm
Yeah, Halloween is starting to take off in some suburbs, but it's better to be safe than sorry for now.
LAURA WALKER October 4, 2021 - 1:34 pm
What a cute idea. Very spooky. xo Laura
acraftymix October 4, 2021 - 2:36 pm
Thank you, Laura
Debbie-Dabble October 4, 2021 - 12:45 pm
Michelle, How are you , my friend??? LOVE this great display! Thanks for sharing!! Hugs, Deb
acraftymix May 24, 2022 - 6:33 pm
Hello Debbie, so lovely to see you again and you're welcome. I'm so happy you like the floating tin can.
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