How to Make a Chinese Candle Lantern

Decorating a room with Chinese candle lanterns will create a calming effect and create cozy ambiance. These Chinese candle lanterns are easy to make and can be created to accentuate the style of a room or as a lovely decoration for parties and holidays. They can be made using any color and design and the materials are very inexpensive. Starting with the basic Chinese candle lantern idea, you can use any variety of stencil designs to produce your cut out images. This project is simple to do, but use caution when doing it with children.

Things You'll Need

• Card stock Ruler Pencil Scissors Stencil with motif of choice Craft knife Cutting board Rice paper Glue stick Clothespins Paper hole punch Craft wire Assorted beads Needle nose pliers 4 flat buttons Votive candle and glass holder

Instructions

1. Measure and cut a piece of card stock seven inches wide by 11 inches long. This will provide the base for your Chinese candle lantern. Choose a color that will enhance your decor or decorating style. Measure and space across the center length of the cut card stock in three areas to add your design. The top and bottom of the design will be the 11-inch edges, so plan your design placement accordingly. Lay your stencil design over the spaced measurements and draw the stencil using a pencil. The pencil side of the card stock will become the inside of the Chinese candle lantern. Cut out the design of the stencil carefully using a cutting board to prevent marring or damaging of your work surface. Remove all paper pieces from the relief of the design.

2. Cut a piece of rice paper 6 1/2 inches wide by 10 1/2 inches long. Apply stick glue along the outer edges of the rice paper. Center and adhere the cut-out rice paper over the back of the card stock. Cut two strips of card stock half an inch wide by 11 inches long. Cut two more strips of card stock half an inch wide by seven inches long. Apply stick glue on one side of a half-inch by 11-inch strip and place it along one long back edge of the Chinese candle lantern, matching the card stock edge and overlapping the rice paper. Repeat by gluing the other 11-inch strip to the other long edge. Apply stick glue to the back of the half-inch wide by seven-inch long strips and glue the to each short end. This will provide a nice finished edge on the inside of your Chinese candle lantern.

3. Roll the Chinese candle lantern card stock into a cylinder with the rice paper on the inside. Overlap the two short ends of the card stock by half an inch and apply stick glue to attach the. Hold the edges together with clothespins until the glue has dried.

4. Space and punch four holes half an inch below the top of the card stock Chinese candle lantern. Space the holes an equal distance apart around the edge.

5. Cut four pieces of five-inch craft wire. Using needle nose pliers, curl a small loop on one the end of the craft wire. Thread assorted beads on the craft wire until the beads measure two inches long. Thread the straight end of the wire through a punched hole at the top of the Chinese candle lantern. On the inside of the candle lantern, thread the wire through a flat button and curl the end to secure. Repeat for the remaining three bead wires.

6. Place a votive candle inside a glass votive holder and light the candle. Place the Chinese candle lantern over the top of the votive candle.