Martha takes her inspiration from the traditional Mexican punched-tin work and uses similar techniques in fashioning a set of napkin rings made with a disposable aluminum tray.

Tools and Materials
Utility knife
Aluminum tray
Ruler
Bone folder
Decorative edgers
Paper
Scrap wood
Tape
Nails
Tack hammer
Rolling pin
Pliers

Punched "Tin" Napkin Rings How-To
1. Use a utility knife to cut the lip from the aluminum tray. Working lengthwise, cut 2-inch-wide strips from the remaining bottom piece of the aluminum sheet. Cut the strips in half crosswise. Discard any strips embossed with the manufacturer's logo.

2. Finish the edges by placing a 1 1/2-inch-wide ruler along the center of the strip. Fold the edges over the sides of the ruler. Remove the ruler and burnish with a bone folder.

3. Use decorative edgers to make a paper template. Start with a piece of paper that's 1 1/4 inches wide and as long as the metal strip. Fold the paper in half, and cut along the non-folded sides with edgers. Unfold the paper. Place the paper template, backside up, onto a piece of scrap wood. Place the template over the aluminum strip, then tape the two in place on the wood. With a nail and tack hammer, tap the design into the metal, using the outline of the template as a guide. Try to keep the punch marks evenly spaced. Once you've finished punching your design, remove the template and metal strip from the scrap wood.

4. Use the ruler to fold over 1/4 inch on each short end, folding one end up and the other down. Form the strip into a cylinder by wrapping it around a rolling pin and interlocking the folded ends. Fold over one more time to secure. Use a pliers to crimp the fold.