Thursday, March 18, 2010

Cookie Cutter 101

 cookie cutter 9 c
I learned how to make cookie cutters, just in time to make myself a cute shamrock cookie cutter for St. Patrick’s Day! 

Seriously this copper cookie cutter is so beautiful!

I showed you, in my last post, many things I used this for and gave you a list of many more things you can use cookie cutters for, other than the usual cookies!
Now I’ll show you how to make your own cookie cutters:
cookie cutter 1
Supplies needed are:
Roll of copper*, pliers, shears, printed design, eyelets, crop-a-dile II, measuring tape, tape

Use a tape measure to figure the length of copper needed (the circumference of your design), by measuring around your printed design.

When you are using this copper roll you should pull the copper from the inside of the roll so that it does not unravel.

Cut the desired length using metal shears.

You want to start and stop your design on the longest straight section of your design.  This is because where you join the copper together it will be where you stop and start and you want it to be the easiest to fit the crop-a-dile into.
 cookie cutter 4
Use your needlenose pliers or pliers to start bending your copper strip.  It bends pretty easily, especially for how strong the finished cookie cutter is and how well it holds it’s shape.

Please do not tease me for my manly hands.  I swear the camera adds not just 10 pounds, but also masculinety to a person! ;)  Actually that was my handy helper being a hand model for me.  Some tutorials are too hard to take pictures of by myself!
cookie cutter 3
If you use needlenose pliers take into account that the nose part of these pliers is a diagonal edge and not a straight (perpendicular) one, so hold your needlenose pliers at an angle to make sure the bend you are making is straight (perpendicular to your long edge of copper).  Otherwise your cookie cutter will not be flat when you set it down.
cookie cutter 5
As you make your bends line them up with your pattern to make sure you are staying accurate.
 cookie cutter 7 
Continue bending all the way around your design.  I used objects that had curves the same size that I needed, to wrap the copper around for ensuring a smooth curve when necessary.
(How was that for a run on sentence?)
cookie cutter 9 a
Once you have made your shape with your copper, secure it with a piece of tape.  This will hold adequately.
I like to finish things off the whole way so I used my crop-a-dile to attach eyelets to secure the ends of the copper together. 
 cookie cutter 9 b
I went through one layer of the copper at a time when punching the holes out.  Then, I attached my two eyelets.  Though in this case I am told they should be called rivets because this is metal we are working with and because of how we are using them.   If you finish your cookie cutter off this way you are going old school like good ol’ “rosie the riveter”.  This would be the skills you would need to build an airplane (the riveting part).

 cookie cutter 9 c
Now, tell me how cute this shamrock cookie cutter is!  I have so many more ideas for more cookie cutter shapes now! 
Rebecca

*I know I will be asked where to get the roll of copper from.  I ordered it online from Basic Copper.  This copper is made for making cookie cutters.  Basic Copper's website says, "Both sides of the copper strip have been lightly treated so that the edge will be smooth against your hand when pressing the cookie cutter into the dough, but still sharp enough to cut the dough easily. Having both sides treated allows you to use the cutter in either direction to make the most out of your dough."  So don't just use any kind of copper for this.  Basic Copper is offering my viewers a 10% discount on your order of cookie cutter copper with them!  How nice is that?  Just use the code, 10offrw!  


I am joining in the fun at the following parties; Somewhat Simple, Treasures For Tots, Keeping It Simple, The DIY Show Off, Between Naps On The Porch, A Soft Place To Land, Today's Creative Blog, My Frugal Family, A Silly Little Sparrow

39 comments:

Beansieleigh said...

Hi Rebecca! LOVE this post! I happen to have a nice sized shamrock cookie cutter already, and shamrock cookies are a tradition at my house!! I can see so many other shapes that would be fun to make though! Thanks for sharing where to get the copper!.. I did look up the "crop-a-dile" and what I saw from Walmart was for scrapbooking/paper?? Did you use this same tool for the copper, or is there another crop-a-dile for heavier/tougher materials such as copper?... Hope you had a wonderful St. Patrick's Day.. I am crazy busy lately, and am hoping to post SOMETHING sometime today, if I can find the time to! So glad that the weekend's almost here! ~tina

Katie Lewis said...

This is really cool. Thank you!

Shorty said...

I am soooo impressed with your skills! You make it look so easy. Can't wait to see what else you make with your copper!

Cyn said...

What a great idea and an awesome tutorial! I can't wait to try this. BTW, I get copper like that from my local Home Depot or other building centre. I used to find it at Michael's but here in Canada where I am, the selection at Michael's has now been watered down to pretty much just scrapbooking, jewelry making, a small basic art supply area, and a small yarn area. Others might be able to still find it at Michaels in the US as I know they carry more than ours does here.

Sherri said...

Awesome! What a great idea.

RootsAndWingsCo said...

Beansieleigh,
I just figured everyone knew what a crop-a-dile was, even if they didn't have one. For all those that don't know it is a fantastic scrapbooking tool that can cut through so many different materials. It is also so much quieter than other tools out there to set eyelets. This tool easily punches through metal as well! Which is why it's perfect for this project. It can be found most anywhere that sells craft supplies.
Cyn, I am not sure about getting the copper anywhere else. The copper roll that I used is perfect for making cookie cutters as the edges are treated so they wont cut you and they are the right strength to hold the design well and yet be easy to bend to make the shape. I personally haven't seen this particular stuff anywhere, but I'm sure many other places would sell it as well. I'm going to keep my eyes out now.

greetingarts said...

SO amazing. It looks great, is that seriously the first one you made?! You need to send a link to this to Crop O Dile, I'll bet they never thought of this as one of the uses for their tool.

Oh, and at the risk of sounding like a dork, I think the last line of your post is supposed to say "copper" instead of "cookie cutter," right?

Vallimasoos said...

FANTASTIC JOB!

RootsAndWingsCo said...

Greeting arts-that is my first try at this! It really is super easy!

Thank you for catching that typo for me*blushing*..I guess that's what I get for typing while on the phone! ;)
Rebecca

Tara said...

Amazing. I love it. You made it look so easy. I have to try this. Thanks for a great tutorial!

Honey said...

The only thing that would have made that any cuter would be if your 'rivets' were shamrock shaped! ;)

That's a wonderful idea!

Honey
www.mondorfment.blogspot.com

CitricSugar said...

You are a super-genius.

I foresee this getting out of hand if I were to order up some copper....

Melissa said...

I'm super impressed - I wonder how easy handprint cutters would be - I ordered a kit to order them for my sister for her little boy but did not do it for my girls as it was so expensive...

However, while I jump in on a lot of stuff - this scares me. :)

Wendy said...

Fantastic! I don't think I could get the shapes nearly so nice.

Lynn said...

What a perfect cookie cutter you have made -- I love it! Thanks for sharing the step-by-step (though I probably won't try it as it looks too ambitious for me; somehow I have a feeling mine might turn out a cookie looking more like a puddle ;)). I came here from Beansieleigh's site, by the way, and am now eager to look around. Bye for now!

jjmcgaffey said...

A long time ago, I made gingerbread house cookie cutters out of trimmed tuna cans (cut off the bottom as well as the top, then cut so I could resize them). I didn't bother to fasten them together, they just have abutting cut edges. I still use them...but now I want to make copper ones instead! Absolutely gorgeous.

amy @ Life in Pink Hi-Tops said...

Ever since February I have been wanting to make my own cookie cutters but was too scared to try! You make it look so easy. Maybe now I will be able to give it a try!

Crafty Mom said...

Thank you SO much for posting this! I'm planning a Disney themed party for my daughter's birthday and I've looked at Disney cookie cutters. They're more than I'd like to spend on a rarely used item like a Mickey Mouse cookie cutter. It didn't take long before I was thinking "I wonder if I can make one?". And now, just as I was about to order the cookie cutters, I read this post! I am going to order the copper tape instead and make my own! Love it!

Mary Beth @ Live. Laugh. Make Something said...

Adorable! ..and a great photo how-to! I hopped over from a "A Soft Place to Land" and am so happy that I did. Please accept my invitation to drop in at my place one day this week when you get a moment. until later...

Denise Marie said...

OMG, that is wayyyy cute. I bought mine at wal-mart. lol

Army Wife Quilter said...

ok I am seriously loving this idea. my only problem is that all these cute ideas out there are making my craft space to crowded. i have too many cute projects going on and this is one i would like to do

Jen @ tatertotsandjello.com said...

Wow - that is just amazing! Very cool!

XOOX
Jen

designdazzle.blogspot.com said...

Fabulous. Thank you for sharing in such detail. Great to know where to purchase the copper.
Toni

Unknown said...

Just found your blog and OMG! Thank you for such a detailed tutorial - been wanting to make my own and I JUST bought a crop-a-dile a week ago (clearanced at walmart for 10 bucks!)

Kim @ http://frostmeblog.blogspot.com
party inspiration

Anonymous said...

So excited to have found this post. I use cookie cutters with UTEE and they don't make the ones I want. Now I can!

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Felix y Raquel said...

!!!wowwwwwwwwww!!!! excelent job!!!! I love your things
Kiss fron Madrid (Spain)

S and family said...

Found your blog from One Pretty Thing...so glad I did!! Your ideas are amazing. I'm your newest follower.
: )

Sue said...

THANK YOU! What a fantastic tutorial!

SewLou said...

Thank you for this tutorial!!!

Unknown said...

You can also 3D Print Cookie Cutters. I teach people and just about every week I see someone create a new one: http://3dprintingninja.blogspot.com/2014/12/how-to-make-3d-model-from-image.html

suzy-creamcheese said...

Just to let you know, right at the end of the loading cycle for this page, someone is hi-jacking the load to their own site and away from your page. So unless you stop the loading before it gets to that point (a few second between your page loading and it being hi-jacked) it'll never stop on your page. I hate cyber-criminals.

ing. Giovanna de Simone said...

the Coupon Code is expired! at least it is what Basic Copper web sites says..

VickyLuv143 said...

You may want to just solder it - I think that maybe easier & cheaper then using rivets. Craft stores sell soldering irons or even Walmart (cheapest $10 or less). Plus I think it would be less noticeable. The thing she used essentially is a hole puncher that will go thru the copper - if you go to Home Depot ask and they will show you where they are. But for usefulness- soldering iron I feel is more usefully and way cheaper. Can be used to fix or make jewelry - suncatchers, repair or make furniture / shelving or add decorative items that are metal to racks etc

VickyLuv143 said...

Sofa cans work well and are free

VickyLuv143 said...

Copper on that link provided is $34.99 for 10 inches - save time go buy more cookie cutters then you could make for less money! I love craft projects but makes no sense when costs way way way more then buying the item & item will be perfect instead of having pliers marks. It's a great idea just not using copper & rivets - copper non toxic paint - (just make sure paint is ok for food if using as a cookie cutter and not for decor ) or if for decor spray paint! $2

VickyLuv143 said...

On the web site for the copper link above it has a DIY how to make these using solder but no solder iron just a BBQ lighter! So makes project even cheaper no rivets or hole puncher! http://basiccopper.com/how-to-make-copper-cookie-cutters.html (That's the instructions) way easier! But great idea if you don't use copper and use tin or another metal

Unknown said...

Really such an informative post...
Keep posting like this and to let us know about various facts.

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