Make An All-Seasons Lantern

I love to decorate with lanterns. They add so much charm to home decor and hint of a time before the convenience of electric lights.   

I’ve seen many crafters make lanterns, but I’d never tried to make one myself. This attempt was inspired by some square dowels I found at Dollarama. I thought they would make the perfect corner pieces for a lantern.

Here’s how to make a wood lantern and decorated it for fall.

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 Make a Fall Lantern

Step 1: Gather Supplies

 

Supplies Used and Recommendations:

Step 2: Making the Top of the Lantern

 

 

I peeled as much of the original paper off the signs as I could (make sure to remove the hangers :)) and used wood glue to secure the 1/2 inch thick round ornament to the centre of the one that would be the top of my lantern. Then I used the wood glue to secure the wood bead to the centre of the ornament. The hole in the wood square makes it perfect for attaching a handle for your all-seasons lantern.

Step 3: Attach the Four Corner Dowels

 

 

Step 4: Glue Square Dowels in Place

Next I used the wood glue to add the square dowel to each corner of the inside of the bottom sign and added the top of my lantern. The square dowels are not quite 9 inches in length and I used the full length of those.

These square dowels came in a package of 12 in three different sizes.

Step 5: Cut the Round Dowels

 

 

Then I measured how long each of the round dowels would need to be and used my mitre shears to cut them to about 9 inches. I put a slight angle at each end so they would sit flatter against the lanterns exterior and interior.

 

 

Step 6: Glue Round Dowels in Place

I used hot glue to secure one of the dowels to the inside of the lantern…

 

 

…and one to the outside of the lantern to form an “x” on each of three sides. It makes sense to leave one side open, so you can easily add and remove decorations.

Completed Lantern

 

 

Once all the pieces were in place, I took the lantern outside and spray painted it white. The shower curtain ring fit easily through the hole in the bead, giving it the handle it needed. I find that, because I used wood glue, I can use the ring to carry the lantern or hang it from a hook, if I so choose.

Decorating the Lantern For Fall

The really fun part is decorating the all-season lantern and since it’s autumn as I write this, a fall lantern it is.

Supplies Used and Recommendations:

Step 1: Decorate an LED Candle

 

Because the lantern is made of wood, an LED candle should be used. I’ve been using up materials in my overflowing stash and found this tulle fabric. You could also decoupage a fall napkin onto the candle. Cocktail napkins are perfect for this size candle.

 

 

My idea was to use some two-sided tape to attach this piece fabric to the LED candle from Dollar Tree. The idea being that I can easily remove it and re-decorate the candle for the next season. 

 

 

This gold printed fabric was just what this plain candle needed to give it a bit of oomph.

Step 2: Find a Base for the Candle

 

 

I wanted a base to give the candle a bit more height, so I hit on the idea of using the base from a cloche. These are often available at Dollar Tree, too. I spray painted the base white so it would blend in with the white of the lantern.

A small Terracotta plant saucer, turned upside down and painted, would work, too. 

Step 3: Add Faux Leaves and Natural Objects

 

 

 

I always like to use what nature provides whenever possible. Some acorns and small pinecones that had been previously used in other projects, where repurposed as fill around the base of the candle. The addition of some faux leaves adds a bit of colour. 

There are so many ways that you can decorate this lantern. So go ahead! Make a lantern and decorate it to suit any season. Let me know your ideas! marlenealexander2327@gmail.com

 

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