How to Make Molds for Japanese Lanterns

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Things You'll Need

  • Plastic container

  • Vegetable oil

  • Steak knife

  • 2 small wood pieces (small enough to fit through the center of the plastic container)

  • Cement

  • Small bucket

  • Plastic scooper

Learn how to make your own Japanese lantern.

Japanese lantern molds allow you to create your own lantern that can be placed in your garden, on your patio or in your home. You can create your own lantern mold to make your lantern unique; Japanese lantern molds can be made from ordinary plastic household items such as a plastic bowl, plastic candy holder, plastic drink bottle or a plastic milk jug. Before you make your Japanese lantern, you should line the inside of the plastic container with vegetable oil for easy removal.

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Step 1

Sit the plastic container on a flat surface. Pour vegetable oil in the plastic container. Swirl the vegetable oil around in the plastic container to line it. Pour the excess vegetable oil out and into a sink.

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Step 2

Use the knife and cut a hole in each side of the container. You should end up with four holes total, all equally spaced around the sides of the container. Make each hole big enough so a small wood piece can slide through the hole and out the other side of the container.

Step 3

Slide one wood piece through one hole and continue to push it through until it comes out the other side. Push the other wood piece through one of the holes next to the one you just used. Continue to push the wood piece through that hole until it crosses the first wood piece and comes straight through to the free hole on the opposite side of the container.

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Step 4

Pour the dry cement into a small bucket. Follow the instructions on the dry cement to mix the cement properly.

Step 5

Scoop the cement out of the bucket and into the plastic container. Fill the plastic container with the cement. Allow the cement to sit on a flat surface and away from moisture to dry for five days.

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Step 6

Cut the plastic away from your mold with your knife. Remove the wood pieces from the mold to reveal the opening where you can sit your candle.

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