Does anyone have a pattern or ideas for a chinese or christmas lantern?

Answer 1

Hi:

To Make a paper lantern all you need to do is the following:

1) Lay the long side of the paper perpendicular { or going from your left hand to your right hand } to your chest

2) Going 1 to 1 1/2 inches down from the top edge of the paper and up from the bottom edge of the paper and mark it. Make one line going left to right at both those mark, You will have two lines ( one each) when your done, both top and bottom

3) Leave 1/2 inch space for the left and right sides of the paper

4) Cut a series of evenly spaced slots along the paper starting at the 1/2 space at the left edge of the paper, Starting the slots at the top marked line of the top of the paper and ending at the bottom marked lineand 1/2 inch from the right edge.

5) Then take the left side of the paper and apply glue along the entire lenght of the left hand side and wrap it around to the right hand side press lightly and use a paper clip or clothespin secure
the paper end and allow to set or cure over night

6) When the glue sets, Turn the cylinder upright and push down until the paper slots in the side our out than crease all the paper slots good then pull the the cylinder up and allow the the paper to find it stable postion.

7) add a wire, thick string or a glue both end of a strip of paper to form a handle in the top of the lantern and there you have a Chinese Paper lantern.

Answer 2

"You can make these delightful Christmas Lantern decorations quickly and easily yourself or with the children. You could make them in any type of paper and decorate them as festively as you like! They would also make a great summer decoration for a garden party made in bright colours and strung in tree branches, across a patio or around a deck. They could also be a spooky Halloween decoration made from black paper"....

For the complete pattern, see the link below.

For more ideas, consult the search list below.

Answer 3

We make a lot of fun lanterns, luminaria and even shine-through votive candle holders with polymer clay rather than paper or other materials, if you'd like to check those out (lessons, photos, etc.):
http://www.glassattic.com/polymer/covering.htm
(... click on the subcategories under "GLASS" --esp. the ones called "Nightlamps, Lamps, & Screens" and "Votives & Light Shining Through" )

(here's one example of a "luminaria"
http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/cr_clay/article/0,2025,DIY_13750_2273929,00.html
EDITED TO ADD:
...Donna mentions using "Promat" polymer clay in this lesson, but the Promat brand is no longer manufactured ... instead you can use Premo, Kato, or FimoClassic brands of polymer clay if you want the most strength, FimoSoft for medium strength, and Sculpey III for little strength --fine if not stressed though
... also, you'll find the "color" called Translucent in any of the brands)


Diane B.