Paper lanterns add a cheery feel to almost any occasion. You can change the color to suit any season or celebration. Hang it as a party decoration or as a decoration in the center of the table so that your work can be enjoyed. The following tips will help you make paper lantern decorations.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Making a Lantern with a Handle
Step 1. Fold the paper
Take a piece of paper and fold it in half lengthwise. Size and weight not specified. A sheet of plain printed paper can also be used, as well as if you want to use cardboard or scrapbook paper. The lighter the weight of the paper, the easier it will be for the lantern to fall over because it cannot support its weight.
You can use plain colored paper or decorative scrapbook paper to make the lanterns more cheerful
Step 2. Cut the paper
Trim off the folded edge, but don't break off. You are free to decide how long you want the slices to be. The longer the wedge, the more light will come out and the more flexible/drooping your lantern will be.
You can also specify how wide the cut you will make. The number of pieces will completely change the appearance of your lantern. A distance of 2.5 cm is the standard size
Step 3. Make a tube
Take the two edges of the paper and bring them together to make a tube shape. Use tape or glue to attach it. Make sure all around the lanterns are glued! Glue everything from the inside so it's not visible.
You can also use staples to connect the two edges of the lantern
Step 4. Make the handles
Make another piece of paper to make the handle. If you are using a sheet of printing paper, your handle will be 15 cm long and 2.5 cm wide. If you hang it, you don't really need a handle -- the lantern can be hung from the base with ribbon or string.
If you're hanging the lantern, you don't need a handle – the lantern can be hung from the base with ribbon or string
Step 5. Glue the handles
Using glue or tape, attach the inner handle to the top of the lantern.
If your lantern is too straight on the edges, bend it slightly. This can give shape to your lantern slowly. The heavier the paper, the more you will have to shape it
Step 6. Enjoy the end result
You can put candles in it, hang it above the ceiling, or use it as a centerpiece.
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Since lanterns are made of paper, place a small candle in the center only if you have a glass container to put it in. Place a candle in a glass and place lanterns around it for added fun. The glass should be high enough so that the fire does not exceed the rim of the glass and cause a fire.
Use candles only if you are placing the lantern on a flat surface, not hanging it or using the handle
Method 2 of 3: Making a "Snow" Lantern
Step 1. Make two paper circles
Using any round object, draw a circle on two pieces of paper and cut it out with scissors. Make sure both circles are the same size.
- You can use circles of any size. Remember that the bigger the circle, the bigger the lantern. You can use a plate, ice cream container lid, bucket bottom, or other round object.
- You can also use whatever paper you want: plain white printing paper, colored cardboard, patterned decorative paper, etc.
Step 2. Fold the first circle
Take one of the circles and fold it in half. Then, fold it in half, two more times. This will give you a result that looks like a slice of pizza (a long triangle with one rounded side).
Step 3. Draw a line on the paper
Follow the curve at the top of the paper (section pizza crust), draw alternating lines on the paper that cross the length of the paper, but do not meet opposite sides. Start on the left side and draw a slightly curved line that stops at a distance of 1 to 2 cm from the right side. Then, just below the line you just made, start on the right side and draw a slightly curved line that stops just before it meets the left side.
Continue alternating this pattern until you reach the bottom of the paper (the end of the triangle)
Step 4. Make a hole
Cut a small piece of the top of the triangle to make a hole in the center of the paper.
Step 5. Cut the lines
Use the scissors to cut the paper along the curved lines you drew. Try to get as close to the line as possible, but don't worry about the perfection. Make sure you don't accidentally cut all the way to another line.
Step 6. Unfold the paper
Make sure you don't tear the pieces you just made, unfold the paper until the paper is round again.
Step 7. Complete the other circles
Repeat steps 2 through 6 on the second circle you cut so you have two circles with the same cut.
Step 8. Glue the two circles together
Use glue to attach the two circles to each other only on the outermost circle. Make sure you don't stick the inside of the circle. Let the glue dry.
Step 9. Pull out the two halves of the lantern
Gently tug on both sides of the lantern so that the pieces are spread out and show the design you've cut.
Tie a string over it (through the eyelet and outer loop) and hang your lantern somewhere to enjoy it
Method 3 of 3: Making Tissue Paper Round Lanterns
Step 1. Choose a color
To make this masterpiece, you will need tissue paper. The tissue paper will cover the paper lantern ball with a pattern, so you'll need a fair amount of tissue paper to do this.
You can use a single color of tissue paper, or choose a color to make a colorful lantern. Choose whatever color combination you want, or whatever suits the use of the lantern
Step 2. Make tissue paper circles
Use any round object (coffee can lid, small salad plate, etc.) as a pattern to draw circles on tissue paper. Depending on the size of your Adna sphere, you will need 100 tissue paper circles. Draw a circular pattern on your tissue paper, drawing the circles as closely as possible to avoid wasting a lot of tissue paper.
Don't make the circle too big or too small. If it's too big, your lantern won't inflate enough; and if your sphere is too small, you will be wasting more energy than you should. Make it about the size of a coffee can lid
Step 3. Cut the tissue paper circles
Use scissors to cut out all of your tissue paper circles. Be careful because tissue paper is very thin and can tear easily.
Step 4. Cover the bottom of the paper lantern ball
Take a tissue paper circle and stick it to the bottom of your paper ball lantern. Make sure you glue it right in the center at the bottom so that your pattern will be evenly distributed when you stick it on top.
Step 5. Glue the bottom row of tissue paper circles
Starting at the bottom of the ball, make a row of tissue paper circles by attaching only the top edge of the tissue paper circles to the paper lantern ball.
Make sure the bottom row of paper circles is taped lower than the bottom edge of the lantern for a flowing and unique feel
Step 6. Cover the entire lantern with a circle of tissue paper
Repeat Step 5 until the entire lantern is covered with tissue paper circles. When you paste a new row, make sure the previous row is visible by 2.5 cm. This will give it a layered patterned finish.
Tips
- Do not put candles or other flammable objects inside the lantern (except in glass) as they can actually cause a fire.
- Use colorful paper or cardboard. The motif will hide the asymmetrical lines.
- Make a white lantern in just two colors for a neat light, but if it's just for decoration, add as many colors and patterns as you want.
