How to Make Crepe Paper Lanterns

Making a crepe paper lantern is not only a wonderful craft, allowing you to use your hands and your imagination, but it has a practical purpose as well. While a crepe paper lantern may seem like it would be too flimsy to function, that is far from the truth. Not only are these lanterns functioning, but because you make them by hand they are also a reflection of your creativity. Your imagination is the only limit when making these crepe paper lanterns.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Balloons
• Crepe paper
• Battery-operated tealight candles
• Large bowl
• Water
• Flour
• Needle
• Tape measure
• Wire
• Wire cutters
• Needlenose pliers
• Sponge paintbrush
• Sealer

1. Tear your crepe paper into strips or shapes and set aside. Change up the shape, length and color of your crepe paper. This will give your lantern an interesting look.

2. Mix one part flour to three parts water into your large bowl. Stir until well blended, but still lumpy. This will be your papier mache paste.

3. Blow up a balloon and tie off the end. This balloon will be the shape of your lantern.

4. Dip your crepe paper into your papier mache paste and then drape it over your balloon. Continue this step until your balloon is almost completely covered. Leave an opening at the top of the balloon so that you can reach your hand into it and put your battery operated candle in place. Set aside to dry.

5. Using your foam brush, spread sealer all over your lantern once the papier mache paste has dried completely. Decoupage sealer works very well. Add several coats until you are satisfied with the sheen.

6. Pop the balloon with your needle once the crepe paper has dried completely. Twist your needle into both sides of your lantern near the top. This will be where you insert your wire to hang your lantern.

7. Cut a piece of wire using your wire cutters. The length of the wire will depend on how low you want your lantern to hang. Using a tape measure, measure from the hook that you are hanging your lantern from to where you would like you lantern to hang. Multiply that number by two and cut your wire at that length. For example, if you wanted to hang your lantern 6 inches from the ceiling, you would cut 12 inches of wire.

8. Insert one end of the wire through the small hole that you made. Curl the end of the wire with your needlenose pliers. This will stop the wire from falling out. Repeat on the other side.

9. Pull and bend your wire till you are satisfied with its shape. This will be how you hang your lantern.

10. Turn on your battery operated tealight candle and insert into your lantern. Hang and enjoy.

Tips & Warnings

• You can use chicken wire, cardboard and heavy duty tape as a form for your lantern. Depending on the size of your lantern, drying time may take 24 or more hours.
• Because your lantern is made from crepe paper, it's flammable. Do not use a real candle to illuminate it.

Resources

• Google Images of Crepe Paper Crafts