How to Create an Inexpensive Patio Lantern

Turn a shiny tin can into a practical, pretty patio light.

Create unique outdoor lights that can be used for camping, walkways or the patio for just pennies. It requires that you eat a few cans of beans or soup, but that is a small price to pay for the beautiful light-filled patio ornaments. A luminaria-style candle lantern instead of an electric outdoor light, not only lends romantic atmosphere to your patio, but reuses materials that would have been thrown away, and can even help repel insects.

Things You'll Need

• Large tin can
• Large nail such as a #2 (60d)
• Hammer
• Water
• Freezer
• Eye screw
• 2-by-2 scrap wood
• Power drill
• 14- or 16-gauge metal wire or two heavy coat hangers
• Wire cutters

Instructions

1. Fill a large can to the brim with water and freeze. Remove the can from the freezer when the ice is solid and use a hammer and nail to make holes evenly spaced, about 1 inch apart and 1/2 inch from the open-end lip of the can. Wiggle the nail a bit to make certain that two of the wires that you are using will fit.

2. Tap a design into the can using the hammer and nail if desired. The more holes, the more light your lantern will provide.

3. Allow the ice to melt. While you wait cut a 36-inch piece of wire.

4. Thread 36-inch wire through an eye screw. Once you have, locate the middle of the wire, bend and put 2 inches of the two loose ends in a vise. Clamp the end of the eye screw into a power drill chuck. Begin to tighten. Start with a few loops and pause. Insert a piece of wood in the loop and butt it next to the eye screw. The wood leaves a spot to cut the wire free. Turn on the drill until the wire is totally entwined.

5. Remove the scrap wood. Clip the wire open at the eye screw. This is the handle for the inexpensive patio light. Use pliers to twist each end in a "J" shape with the base curled in deeply. Spread the ends.

6. Insert the uncurled end into one of the holes on the can from the outside. Insert it again into the hole directly opposite the first, from the inside to the outside. Curl the ends of the wire in the same fashion. You have completed the hanger for the patio light.

7. Fill the bottom of the can with sand and insert a candle.

Tips & Warnings

• Insert a citronella candle to repel insects.

• Do not touch the lantern until it has cooled.

• Never leave the lantern burning unattended.

• Place it where it will not come in contact with anything flammable.

References

• Re-Nest: Tin Can Luminaries