DIY: All-Purpose Card Holder From An Altoids Tin

I always have trouble tossing empty Altoids cases, because they make the perfect mini containers for so many little things. And when I realized they were the ideal size for holding credit cards and business cards, the DIY light bulb went off flashing in my head. I now use my upcycled Altoids tin to carry all my essentials including my ID, credit card, cash, lipstick and sticks of gum...yup, they all fit! You can use these little cases for just about anything including gift cards, office supplies, first aids kits, and my personal favorite, a mouse tin house. So get creative and fill it up with all your mini treasures!

With a little bit of paint and handmade love, it's so easy to turn these plain tins into adorable embellished containers. Plus, it's super easy to make and you may even have most of the materials on hand. Follow the steps below to create your very own.

Materials:
• Altoids tin (other tin cases will work as well)
• 2 colors of spray paint
• Glossy decoupage medium (Mod Podge)
• Foam brush
• Table salt
• Masking tape
• E6000 glue or tacky glue
• 2 brass paper fasteners
• Scissors (not pictured)
• Small paper plate to create decoupage mixture (not pictured)

Steps:
• Spray paint Altoids case inside and out. Let dry.
• Since the Altoids logo is embossed on the front cover, we can add a textured layer on top to hide it. In a small plate, pour Mod Podge and sprinkle some salt into the mixture. Add enough salt so that you can see it throughout the mixture, but not so much that it turns clumpy. Brush it on the front and back cover.
• Once dry, use masking tape to cover the sides of the case. With your second spray paint color, spray over the front and back covers. Let dry and remove the masking tape.
• To create a "kiss clasp" appearance that you see on most coin purses, cut off the legs of the paper fasteners and glue the round heads on the front cover of the case.

Now, fill it with all your teeny treasures and enjoy! Follow along on Facebook and Twitter to keep up with my new DIY projects each week.