How to Upcycle Soup Can into Cute Gnome with Storage

Holiday decorations can make clutter in a home. This DIY gnome craft project helps do three things this holiday season. First, I wanted this project to upcycle something instead of buying something. Second, I wanted to create a storage area that can be used instead of just being a holiday home decor. Lastly, I wanted it to look like the adorable gnomes I have seen everywhere. I was so happy that I could accomplish all these goals in this cute gnome holiday decor project. Follow along and see the steps on how I made this adorable gnome.

In recent years, these gnomes have been popular in homes, especially during the holidays. But in recent years, they have also been designed and displayed for other holidays like Thanksgiving and Easter.

What is a gnome?

If you wonder what a gnome is, it is a European folklore goblin or earth spirit underground creature that protects treasures huddle in the earth. If you want to read about their history, feel free to check out this post from the "Love to Know" website.

What is in this upcycle soup can into cute gnome craft project?

Below is a list of all the supplies I used to make these gnomes:

How long did it take to make this gnome craft project?

Well, this project had a lot of drying time that needed to be factored in. From gluing the popsicle stick to the foam core board triangles to hot gluing and wrapping the cans, the entire project was started on a Friday and ended on a Sunday. A total of 6 hours + drying time overnight for two nights. There weren’t a lot of downtimes because I was able to do other things for the project while things were drying.

Now, that I had all these items together, I then started the project.

How to make cute gnomes with repurposed soup cans?

First, let’s start with the foam core cutting. Below are the measurements I used for each of the different sized cans.

First, make the gnome hats.

Visit this table below that tells you the measurements of these gnomes.

Olive can hat	The olive can is the smallest can. So, the triangle was the smallest. It measured 4 inches across the bottom and the sides measured 6 ½ inches.
Soup can hat	The soup can is the medium can. The triangle measures 5 inches across the bottom and the sides measure 7 inches.
Coffee can hat	The coffee can is the largest can. The triangle measures 6 inches across the bottom and the sides measure 8 inches.

Measuring each of the triangles above, I then used an Exacto knife and a ruler to cut out the triangles. I used the edges of the already cut triangle and made the additional ones.

Since the coffee can had a lip, I added a cut piece of the large popsicle stick and so that it made the surface of the inside flush with the lip. I used hot glue to adhere the popsicle stick to the inside.

Now it was time to add the popsicle stick to the triangles. To do this, I used hot glue. I cut out the front and back of the triangle shapes on the card stock. I made sure they fit both sides. And, set them aside.

Adding the Popsicle Sticks

I took the large popsicles stick and marked where the popsicle stick matched the top edge of the can. This is where the hat will be sitting. And where the nose and beard will begin. I cut the popsicle stick so that it lines up the triangle with the edge of the coffee can and the soup can. (See the mark on the image below).

Now it is time to add the popsicle sticks to the triangles. I used the Gorilla glue on the large popsicle stick and lined up the line I made to the bottom end of the triangle. I used two extra popsicle sticks to keep the stick I was gluing level with the foam core board triangle. Let dry completely. I then did the same with the other two triangles.

It was time to add the holiday card stock triangles to the front and back of the triangles. Using the Mod Podge and sponge brush, I added the card stock to all three - front and back. I used each triangle and traced it on the back and cut out the cardstock.

Tip: when working from the back, make sure the pattern is going the direction you want it to show on the triangle.

Add Ribbon to the Triangles.

Now it is time to cut and measure the ribbon. The red ribbon was 10 inches long. This is for the small olive can. Using the hot glue, I added the felt to the edges of the triangle. Continue around the triangle till it lines up to the other side. Cut off the excess.

The white ribbon measured 20 inches long. I then glued it to the green holiday cardstock triangles.

I did the same with the white ribbon and the two burgundy ribbons. NOTE: the burgundy ribbons were a little thinner so I added one to cover the foam core and glued the other one on the front edge so you could see it pop a little more forward than the foam core.

Tips when making gnome hats.

If there is any excess card stock after gluing to the triangles, use an Exacto knife and cut the excess paper before adding the ribbon.

Then, make the gnome body.

Now, it is time to turn to the body of the cans.

Olive can gnome	4 inches height by 9 inches long felt red - peel and stick
Soup can gnome	6 inches height by 13 inches long felt green - peel and stick
Coffee can gnome	8 inches height by 16 inches long felt green

Since I used the peel and stick felt, I cut it down to size and made sure there was enough felt (about ½ inch or so) on top and bottom. Now for the large coffee can, I used regular felt because of the size of the coffee can. Using hot glue, I added it to the can and pressed the green felt and pressed firmly around the can.

Now to finish the ends! I used scissors and cut slices around the top of the can and the bottom of the can. Then, I glued the edges with the glue gun. The peel and stick felt had a strong adhesive. I only had to hot glue a few of the edges.

Tips when making the gnome body.

I tried a variety of glues. Hot glue was the quickest. But it was hot and you need to be careful or you will be burned.

Now, make the beard for the gnome.

This beard had to be cut in a certain way. I needed to cut the back of the liner and remove some excess hairs. It’s a little messy and can get everywhere. I cut with the rotary cutter to remove the back of the gnome hair.

Then, using my fingers I moved the hair around to make it look like a beard.

Olive can gnome	3 inches long piece of fur wide was 2 inches
Soup can gnome	4.5 inches long piece of fur width was 2 inches
Coffee can gnome	Two - 5 inches long pieces of fur both pieces are 2 inches together it was a total of 4 inches

Tips when making the beard for the gnomes.

When cutting the backing, if you press too hard you will cut the hairs and not just remove the back.

Lastly, attach the hat and beard to the can.

First, we need to add the beard to the felt on the can. I added it to the side on the opposite of the seam of the felt on the can. I did this to each of the three cans.

Using the hot glue gun, glue the popsicle stick and attach it to the inside of the cans. If the popsicles sticks are too long, using the Exacto knife, I cut the wood down so it can fit inside and the triangle is close to the top of the can.

I added the cotton ball nose to the top of the beard with a dab of hot glue. And did this to all three fur beards that were attached to the can. I did the cotton ball nose last because I wanted it to be up against the triangle and the fur.

Tips when attaching the hat and beard to the can.

Have a fine tip glue gun to help with more control over the glue.

How much did it cost to make these three gnomes?

It didn't cost much to make these three gnomes. I had the cans, foam core board, cardstock from my scrapbooking days, and the ribbons were all from prior projects. The felt was the most expensive thing which cost three dollars each because they were a peel and stick type. Taking all of these into account it was about $5.00 for each can. A total of $15.00 for all three.

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The big reveal

And, here is the big reveal! What do you think? They turned out so cute. AND, I can use them to store supplies during the holidays. YAY! Below is a picture of the outside of the cans.

Looking for some other upcycling and home DIY organizing projects, check out these posts below.

HOW TO MAKE A DESK ORGANIZER ON THE CHEAP

HOW TO CHANGE A PLAIN SOUP CAN INTO A GORGEOUS DIY PENCIL HOLDER

SOUP CAN TO DIY MAKEUP BRUSH HOLDER

Below are some similar supplies I found on Amazon (affiliate).

Please note these are affiliate links through Amazon and at no additional cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through and decide to make a purchase.