DIY Andy Warhol–Inspired Soup Can Pencil Cups: Fast, Fun, and Kid-Safe

Could I really pass up a chance to include this SNL clip? No way. So here it is — soup, there it is.

This quick DIY transforms everyday tomato soup cans into colorful, pop-art pencil holders inspired by my imaginary friendship with Andy Warhol. They’re inexpensive, cheerful additions to a kid’s desk, and the bright colors instantly lift the mood. I used four limited-edition tomato soup cans I picked up at Target — at about $0.70 each, the total out-of-pocket cost was only $2.80 since I already had the remaining materials on hand.

Step one was emptying the cans into a glass container so the soup wasn’t wasted — perfect for lunches over the next few days. Once emptied, each can was rinsed carefully to avoid soaking the labels. I let them dry upside down on a towel and wiped the insides with a paper towel to remove any remaining moisture.

Because many cans have a slight inner lip about a quarter inch below the top edge, I wanted to remove any chance of a small hand catching on that rim. To make these pencil cups truly kid-safe, I added a cork liner to each can. The cork sleeve covers the inner lip and extends just above it, preventing fingers from rubbing against the metal. I traced a paper towel to make a template for each liner, then used that template to cut cork strips to size.

Using the paper-towel template, I cut long rectangles from leftover cork squares. The cork pieces need to be flexible enough to curl gently without cracking so they can slide snugly into the can and form a protective sleeve.

I had some cork leftover from a previous project, and that made it easy: curl the rectangle gently, slide it into the can, and push it down until it sits above the inner lip. Once in place the cork is secure and not something a small child can easily pull out. The result is both practical and charming — a nod to vintage cork-lined pen holders, with the playful pop-art vibe of the soup can labels.

These cans make ideal desk organizers for crayons, pencils, paintbrushes, or any small art supplies. They look especially cute next to Clara’s crayon-truck masterpiece and bring color and personality to her workspace.

This project is a great example of an easy, budget-friendly craft that yields a practical, attractive result. It’s an inexpensive way to upcycle packaging and add a pop-art twist to a child’s room or a home office. The total cost is low, the materials are simple, and the safety cork liner makes these pencil cups suitable for little hands.

For context, I’ve long enjoyed studying artists like Warhol and the broader world of art history — a few semesters at FIT really deepened my appreciation. And for readers asking about the colored pencils in the photos: those stick-style pencils came from a local Richmond shop called Mongrel, which I adore given Clara’s love of rocks, sticks, and sand.

Want to try it this weekend? Gather a few decorative soup cans, some cork or craft foam, and basic cutting tools, and you can make a set in under an hour. Have other quick DIY ideas or favorite artists you admire? Share your projects and inspiration — I’d love to hear about them.