Soda can tabs are the craft supply nobody respects until somebody turns 500 of them into a purse and suddenly the whole room has questions.
They are lightweight, easy to store and already come with two built-in holes—basically nature’s tiny aluminum connector pieces, except nature had help from a beverage factory. You can thread them, link them, glue them to a backing, arrange them like petals or build them into flexible panels.
The trick is choosing a project that matches your patience. Below are 12 soda can tab crafts ranging from “finished before dinner” to “clear the weekend and pick a podcast.”
New to pop tab crafts? Start in the quick-win corner. The purse will still be there when you are ready.
Before you start: three useful rules
First, inspect the tabs selected for your project. Real collected tabs can vary in shape and finish. Skip pieces that are bent or rough in a way that does not suit the design—especially for jewelry.
Second, make one small sample before preparing supplies for a group. The difference between a 12-tab ornament and an 18-tab ornament becomes impressive when multiplied by 30 students.
Third, treat tabs as small craft parts. They are not appropriate for children under three, and kids should be supervised with wire, pliers, hot glue, sharp findings and adhesives.
1. Woven pop tab bracelet
Approximate tabs: 18–22 for an average adult
Time: 30–60 minutes for a first attempt
Best for: Beginners, teens, gifts and craft nights
Use elastic cord to weave tabs into two staggered rows. Alternate a crossed X on the front tabs with straight cord passes on the back tabs. The first four tabs take the most concentration; after that, the pattern becomes satisfyingly repetitive.
Try bright cord against silver tabs or use a few naturally colored tabs as accents. See our full soda pop tab bracelet tutorial before you begin.
2. Five-minute pop tab keychain
Approximate tabs: 1–3
Time: 5–15 minutes
Best for: First projects, party favors and small gifts
Connect one tab to a split key ring with a jump ring. That is the entire basic project. Add a second tab, bead, tassel or short woven cord if you want more personality.
Use two pairs of jewelry pliers to twist a jump ring sideways, attach the pieces and twist it closed. Do not pull the ring open into a C shape; that makes it harder to close cleanly.
3. Lightweight pop tab earrings
Approximate tabs: 2–6 per pair
Time: 15–30 minutes
Best for: Beginner jewelry making
Choose two tabs with similar shapes. Connect each one to an ear wire with a jump ring, then add a bead or charm through the lower opening. Keep the first pair simple so you can judge the weight and movement before building a tiny aluminum chandelier for each ear.
Only use jewelry findings made for earrings, and inspect every tab and connection before wearing.
4. Ribbon bookmark
Approximate tabs: 1–2
Time: 10 minutes
Best for: Classrooms, book clubs and easy handmade gifts
Cut 12–16 inches of ribbon. Fold it through one opening of a tab, tie or stitch it securely, then add a bead or charm at the opposite end. The tab stays outside the book while the ribbon marks the page.
This is a great use for one unusual colored tab because the whole design revolves around a single piece.
5. Metallic gift tag
Approximate tabs: 1–4
Time: 10–20 minutes
Best for: Gift wrapping and party tables
Tie a tab onto ribbon around a wrapped gift, then add a small paper name tag through the same ribbon. For a more decorative version, overlap three tabs into a small cluster and connect them with thin cord.
The tab becomes part of the packaging and then turns into a keepsake, which is much more fun than watching another plastic bow enter the witness protection program under the couch.
6. Pop tab ornament
Approximate tabs: 3–12
Time: 20–45 minutes
Best for: Holiday groups, classrooms and family craft days
Arrange tabs into a tree, star, snowflake or simple hanging cluster. Connect them with ribbon, jump rings or thin craft wire. Lay the entire shape on paper first, take a quick photo, then connect it one section at a time.
Add beads or colored ribbon instead of painting every piece. It is faster, cleaner and still gives the ornament a clear color scheme.
7. Pop tab flower
Approximate tabs: 5–9
Time: 20–40 minutes
Best for: Wall art, magnets, wreaths and collaborative displays
Arrange tabs around a button, bead or small cardboard circle so they resemble petals. Try the wider ends facing outward for rounded petals or alternate directions for a more mechanical look.
Attach them to a sturdy backing with an adhesive suited to both metal and the base. A single flower makes a magnet; 20 flowers make a classroom garden.
8. Butterfly or dragonfly
Approximate tabs: 4–6
Time: 20–45 minutes
Best for: Kids’ art, mobiles and spring decorations
Use two tabs for upper wings and two for lower wings. Form the body with beads, cord or a narrow cardboard shape. If you add wire antennae, bend the cut ends inward and keep wire work at an adult-supervised station.
Build several in different sizes, then attach them to a canvas or hang them from a branch for a lightweight mobile.
9. Linked garland
Approximate tabs: 25–100+
Time: 45 minutes and up
Best for: Parties, holidays and room décor
Connect tabs with jump rings, wire loops or short ties of cord. Work in sections of 10–20 tabs so the whole garland does not follow you around the table like a metallic tail.
Alternate plain tab sections with ribbon, wooden beads or paper shapes. Garlands are forgiving because slight changes in tab style look intentional over a long repeating strand.
10. Mixed-media wall art
Approximate tabs: 50–500+
Time: One afternoon to several sessions
Best for: Classrooms, group projects and statement pieces
Sketch a letter, heart, mascot or geometric pattern on sturdy cardboard, wood or canvas. Arrange tabs over the design before attaching them. Begin at the outside edge for a crisp silhouette, or start at the center for a radiating pattern.
For groups, divide the design into numbered sections. Each table finishes one section, then the pieces come together at the end. It feels collaborative without requiring 25 hands to share the same bottle of glue.
11. Pop tab belt or chain
Approximate tabs: 80–250+
Time: Several hours
Best for: Crafters comfortable with repeating patterns
Use cord or jump rings to create a flexible strip. Make a 6-inch sample first and check whether it lies flat, bends comfortably and catches on clothing. Then measure the finished length you need and repeat the same construction.
A backed fabric belt is easier to wear than an all-metal design. A loose linked chain works well as décor or a bag strap but needs strong, fully closed connections.
12. Pop tab purse or bag panel
Approximate tabs: Roughly 500–1,500+
Time: A serious weekend project—or several very civilized evenings
Best for: Experienced crafters who enjoy the process
Create a small woven sample, measure how many tabs fit across one inch, then calculate the front, back, sides and strap separately. Depending on size and construction, finished examples use anywhere from several hundred tabs to well over 1,000.
The tabs create the showy outer panel, but the lining, closure, reinforced seams and handle make the bag usable. Begin with a coin purse or clutch before declaring war on a full-size tote.
Which craft should you make first?
Choose the keychain if you want a win in 10 minutes. Choose the bracelet if you want to learn the classic weaving pattern. Choose the flower or ornament for a group. Choose the wall art when teamwork is part of the point. Choose the purse if you genuinely enjoy long builds and are prepared to become known as “the pop tab person” in your family.
Most projects do not require thousands of tabs by themselves. Bulk makes sense when you are supplying a class, running repeated craft sessions, building a large piece or want a dependable stash without collecting one can at a time. Compare all four Pop Tabs Direct pack sizes and choose based on the project you are actually excited to finish.
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