Festive Wreath Making and Decorations in Portchester

Turning trash into treasure
You see them everywhere — tossed into bushes, rolling down gutters, and littering our streets. Tin cans have become a familiar menace. But what if we flipped that idea on its head?

What if I told you that a ton of crushed cans actually has value? Crushed aluminium cans can sell for around £0.40 to £1.40 per kilogram, depending on the buyer and current market prices. By collecting and selling them, your community can raise funds while helping the environment.

It’s easy to get started — simply set up a local recycling centre and ask the public to donate their cans. You can download our free resources to help you operate your own materials bank and turn waste into opportunity.

From waste to art
Last year, we took a bold step and launched two creative workshops designed to reveal just how much potential lies hidden in what most people see as rubbish. It was a brand-new concept for us — exciting but also nerve-racking. We didn’t know how people would respond, or whether they’d share our enthusiasm for transforming discarded cans into something beautiful and meaningful.

The preparation alone was a project in itself. Each can had to be carefully cleaned, stripped of its label and colour, and then cut down into workable sheets. These flat pieces of metal were then shaped, embossed, and formed using a metal punch — a process that required patience, precision, and a bit of courage at first!

Our talented facilitator, Sharon Campbell, led the JunkTin Workshops with boundless creativity and enthusiasm. She demonstrated how ordinary drink cans — the ones that so often end up crushed and forgotten — could be given a second life. Beer cans were transformed into golden oak leaves, shimmering with unexpected elegance, while Monster energy drink cans became delicate sycamore ornaments, each one unique and full of character.

What made the experience even more special was the simplicity of the tools. Using nothing more than a broken rollerball pen for embossing and nail varnish as a lacquer, participants quickly realised that artistic expression doesn’t require expensive materials or equipment — just imagination and the willingness to see potential where others see waste.

In November 2024, we hosted our first session at the Lovedean Community Centre, welcoming 20 enthusiastic participants, including one home-schooled child. The atmosphere was buzzing with curiosity and laughter as people experimented, created, and connected. The feedback we received was heartwarming — many shared how uplifting it was to create something beautiful out of discarded materials.

Then, in December 2024, we hosted a cosier, more intimate evening event at The Hambledon Store, a charming shop filled with local gifts and character. The setting added a festive touch to the experience, and once again, the creativity that emerged was astonishing.

Both events confirmed what we had hoped all along — that people have a genuine appetite for ArtCycle: the art of recycling creatively. What began as an experiment has blossomed into a movement that blends environmental awareness, community spirit, and the sheer joy of making art from the everyday.

Looking ahead with ArtCycle at home in Portchester
Building on that success, we’re thrilled to announce that this year’s JunkTin Workshop will be held at the Community Hub in Portchester — a welcoming and accessible venue with great transport links and free parking for all visitors.

We’re keeping things affordable, with a £10 donation for participants, ensuring the workshop remains open to everyone who wants to join in. The session will once again be led by Sharon Campbell, who brings her infectious enthusiasm and creative expertise to every event.

This year’s workshop promises to be even bigger and brighter, with new techniques to explore and fresh inspiration drawn from nature and local surroundings. Whether you’re a seasoned crafter or a complete beginner, you’ll leave with something beautiful — and a new appreciation for the humble tin can.

So, bring your curiosity, creativity, and a willingness to get hands-on. Together, we’ll continue to prove that waste isn’t the end of the story — it’s the beginning of something extraordinary. Book here.