First, you want to make sure you start with a clean and dry aluminum can. Next, use either very sharp scissors or razor blade / X-Acto Knife to cut about 1.5″ of the top of the can off. Keep the top of the can for later – you’ll need it!

You should make your strips about 1/4″ wide.

Cut four shallow tabs out of the edge of the newly-trimmed edge as seen in the video below. Then you’ll trim the top of the can off and fit this into the ashtray you’ve made for a complete product.