Buckby cans - Kay's Canal Crafty Arts %

Personalised Buckby style cans

Pea Green’s 2 gallon Buckby can decorated with roses, daisies and castles.

Named after Long Buckby, Northamptonshire, Buckby cans were made and sold from the Top Lock Cottage . Families onboard working narrowboats used the cans for carrying drinking water. However, today’s leisure narrowboats usually have large water tanks and rarely need Buckby cans for their water supply. Sadly, the cans are no longer made at Long Buckby. But, similar ones in various sizes, can still be bought. As a result, Buckby cans remain a lovely, traditional, canal item. Finally, they are also a reminder of the hard lives of the families on the old working boats.

Buckby can sizes

Two 2 pint Buckby cans painted with traditional canal art roses

Water cans come in a range of different sizes from 2 pints to 3 gallons. The smaller ones, holding about 2 pints (just over a litre), stand 26 cm high with the handle up. As a result, they are the perfect size for a boat or house. Consequently, I usually have some already painted which I sell from my boat Pea Green. or if you need one fast I can post!

I hand-paint with roses and daisies. Additionally, you can have these cans personalised (included in the price). Remember that space is limited! The price for a 2 pint can is £50 plus £3.30 postage.

Larger cans

1 gallon Buckby can for narrowboat Thyme.

Painted to order larger Buckby cans really stand out. A 1 gallon can costs £110 to paint plus the cost of the can – in the region of £55. I include a traditional castle scene and personalisation. You don’t need to have a boat to own one. I have, therefore, painted 1 gallon cans as garden and house ornaments.

As with all my can painting I use primer before undercoating, top coats and then decorating, before finishing with a clear varnish. As a result, they take a considerable amount of time over a 10 day period.

Restoration

I am happy to restore your own Buckby can. For example, if the can is looking tired, or is poorly painted. Cans can be stripped down and completely repainted. Alternatively, if not too badly damaged I maybe able to work on a small area. Contact me for more details.

Before and after photos of two up-cycled cans. My customers wanted them to match the new paint work of their boat. They also wanted a simple design of flowers.

To order

To order simply contact me via email, Facebook, or Instagram. I usually respond within a couple of hours. For payment, I prefer BACS transfer, however I can also accept PayPal.

Recent Buckby cans

Below are photographs of recent Buckby cans I have painted. Finally, please do check my Instagram feed (also on my home page) for my latest work.