How Tinnovation Works

  • Gadget Tinnovations
  • Altoids Art
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  • How to Make a Flashlight from an Altoids Tin

More Tinnovations

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How to Make a Shadow Box from an Altoids Tin

For most people, a tin of Altoids is simply a promise of fresh breath. After the mints are gone, the tin goes to the trash. But artists see a gem in that little tin -- art waiting to happen.

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How to Make a Belt from an Altoids Tin

They say one man's trash is another man's art. Brooklyn artist Lord Kelvin takes that aphorism to another level by converting empty Altoids tins into belt buckles.

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How to Make a Picture Frame from an Altoids Tin

The compact metal design of the classic Altoids tin inspired designer Kate Pruitt to convert one into a picture frame and portable photo album. With some cardboard, glue and a couple of magnets, you can do the same.

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How to Make a Zen Garden from an Altoids Tin

Artist Kate Pruitt found a quick, easy and innovative way to decorate an Altoids tin -- she converted it into a serene Zen garden.

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How to Make Fine Art from Altoids Tins

Altoids tins are the obvious canvas for artistic expression, right? How does a painter transform a bunch of breath mint containers into a masterpiece?

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How to Make a Jewelry Box from an Altoids Tin

Artist Desiree McCrorey combines two seemingly disparate media -- polymer clay and Altoids tins -- to create jewelry boxes with their own uniquely eco-friendly style.

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How to Make a Flashlight from an Altoids Tin

It's so obvious. If you need a flashlight, you should make one out of your Altoids tin. How do tinnovators turn a breath mint container into a light source?

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How to Make a Key Hook from an Altoids Tin

Where are your keys? You've lost them again, haven't you? With a few Altoids tins, a pair of pliers and a little imagination, you can create a place to keep them.

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How to Make a Steampunk Altoids Tin

You don't have to understand steampunk to appreciate the Altoids tins created by tinnovator Jake von Slatt. However, learning about this imaginative subculture makes the designer's creations all the more enjoyable.

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How to Make a Speaker from an Altoids Tin

They say that necessity is the mother of invention. While this may be true in many cases, you can also make the argument that good old creativity should weigh in pretty heavily as well. Behold: the Altoids speaker.

Tinnovation Images

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Tinnovation Pictures

How many different purposes can an Altoids tin serve? Several people have come up with creative ways to use these tin boxes.

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Artistic Tinnovations

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The practice goes by a lot of different names: found art, reclaimed art, recycled art. The Altoids tin is the medium, and imagination is the only thing required to turn it into something interesting.