Craft of the Week: Paper Lanterns

Crafts are a great way to exercise your artistic side, but they are also very useful at bringing people together. 

Each week, we will post a simple and easy project for your enjoyment. This is a great opportunity for you to reconnect with your friends and family while enjoying a weekly craft night. 

Paper Lantern 
Lighting can bring warmth, intimacy, and depth to a space. Store-bought lanterns are often expensive and hard to find if you're looking for a specific color. Use these paper lanterns to customize and light up your life! 

What You Need

• Tissue Paper
• White Glue
• Scissors
• Balloons
• Light Source (holiday lights, small lamps, etc)
• Two Plastic Containers (at least one round)
• Newspaper (to cover your workspace)

Step 1
Lay newspaper down to cover your workspace and blow up your balloon. 

Step 2
Choose the colors and patterns you want for your lanterns. Use your scissors to to cut strips of paper. A variety of sizes will be helpful.

Step 3
Dilute your white glue in one of your plastic containers. Start with a 1:1 dilution of water and glue. Aim for a milky texture. 

Step 4
Dip your first strip into the dilute glue. Use your fingers to remove excess liquid. 

Step 5
Apply strips to the base of the balloon, leaving a hole big enough to fit your hand through once the balloon is removed. Use your round plastic container as a stand to hold your balloon while you apply strips. 

Step 6
Apply stripes and cover the entire balloon. Be sure to leave so blank spaces. It is best to cover the balloon with at least 2 layers. Add more layers for additional thickness and strength. 

Step 7
Hang your balloon to dry for at least 8 hours and until completely dry. 

Step 8
Pop the balloon. The lantern will shrivel slightly if sturdy and dry. However, it will shrivel a lot if it was not thick enough or not dry thoroughly. Either case will still work. 

Step 9
Insert your hand into the base of your lantern and remove the balloon.

Step 10
Using your hands, reshape the lantern. Alternatively, you can use a new balloon and blow it up inside the lantern in order to reshape it. 

Step 11
Adhering to the safety precautions of the light source, insert the light source into the lantern and put your lanterns out to display. 

*****************************************************************************

Do NOT leave lanterns unattended when the light source is turned on. 

*****************************************************************************

Fun Tip: You can use the same procedure described here to add patterns or colors to any paper lanterns that you already own. 

*****************************************************************************