Make history with tin-punch art

This easy crafts project lets students get their hands on the past

In America, the art of decorating tinware goes back to Colonial times (records show that Paul Revere himself advertised painted tinware in 1785), though it wasn't until about 1830 that punched and pierced tinplate came into vogue. Household pieces were made primarily in New England, Pennsylvania, and Ohio, an included cheese molds, nutmeg graters, deed boxes, salt shakers, bed warmers, strainers, and pie cupboards. Throughout the 19th century, peddler wagons would take the tinwares from town to town. Miniature versions of the items were made as toys for children.

Craftspeople cut the tin pieces to shape and then embossed a pattern on the inside by gently striking a punch so a depression formed. These pieces are sometimes referred to as "punch ware."

When making items such as lanterns and foot warmers, the craftspeople poked holes or cut slits in the metal to allow light or heat through--hence the term "pierced ware."

Five Simple Folk Art Motifs

Pennsylvania Dutch-style birds, tulips, and designs are the most common tinware motifs. Your students can use the five motifs below, or make their own designs.

PIERCED PAPER ORNAMENTS

Grade level: primary

Time: 20 minutes

Materials: construction paper in various colors, paper punches

The Process:

1. Lightly draw a simple motif onto a square piece of construction paper.

2. Use a paper punch to make your design.

3. Glue the design onto a lighter or darker shade of construction paper, or han it in a window.

TINFOIL PIERCED WALL HANGINGS

Grade level: primary to intermediate

Time: 30 minutes

Materials: corrugated cardboard, drawing paper, tinfoil, pencils

The Process:

1. Sketch a motif on drawing paper.

2. Wrap tinfoil around cardboard.

3. Place the drawing on the tinfoil.

4. Using a sharp pencil, poke holes around the outline of your motif.

5. Display on a wall.

TIN-PUNCH DECORATIVE TILES

Grade level: intermediate

Time: 40 minutes

Materials: embossing tin or lightweight tin, drawing paper, pencils, masking tape, corrugated cardboard The Process

1. Draw a motif on drawing paper.

2. Place drawing paper on top of the tin; place the tin over the cardboard.

3. Tape the three layers together.

4. Using a sharp pencil, punch lightly along the outline of the motif so the design appears as a series of raised dots.

5. Untape the layers and display.

PIERCED-TIN CANDLE SHADE

Grade level: fifth grade and up

Time: 20 minutes (though cans must be prepared the night before)

Materials: aluminum cans, water, can opener, lager nails, hammers, cloth towels a freezer

The Process

1. Remove the lid from each can.

2. Fill the can with water and place in the freezer overnight.

3. Place the can in a towel. Using a large nail and a hammer, pierce a design through the aluminum. (This step goes most smoothly when children work on a carpeted floor or outside in the grass.)

4. Allow the ice to melt, give each child a candle to place inside the empty can, and then gift wrap the candle and holder so children can bring them home t parents.

ACROSS THE CURRICULUM

Music: Bring in metal cheese graters, washboards, metal spoons, and thimbles an form a "tin-pan band." Children can create great sounds by wearing three or fou thimbles and rubbing them across a washboard. These objects become rhythm instruments by striking spoons against them.

Literature: Read Lucinda Landon's Colonial-era mystery on page 56.

Science: Select a few of students' pierced tin candle shades to explore the relationship between the number of holes in the patterns and the amount of ligh and heat the holders give off.

MARY PARKS has taught art for 18 years. She currently teaches in Naperville Community School District 203 in Naperville, Illinois.

COPYRIGHT 1994 Scholastic, Inc.
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group