Homemade Lantern Tutorial

If there is one thing that Julie Andrews should have mentioned alongside 'Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens', it's flickering candlelight! It's definitely one of my favourite things. Whether it's used to brighten up a cold, dark, gloomy winter's night, or to lend magic sparkle to a late balmy summer's evening, it's something I couldn't imagine life without! I'm sure I could climb my own Everest if I had collected all the wax that have brightened up our dinner times, bath times, special occasions and non-occasions!

Now, I for one think that tea lights are just delightful placed in little lanterns, and hanging from tree branches when entertaining. They create beautiful ambience when dotted around the garden. (Care should be taken however when doing this, as to avoid setting your magnolia alight!) I would like to share this very simple idea with you for creating lanterns from empty glass jars.

You will need:

• Empty, clean glass jars, labels removed. Any size or shape of your choice.
• Wire (You can use recycled wire coat hangers, but the thicker the wire, the harder it is to manipulate. Thinner varieties can be obtained from your local DIY store or builder's merchant's.)
• Magic Motifs (These are sticky double-sided transfers that come in a range of different designs. )
• Glitter powder in a colour of your choice. I have used sparkly white as this looks really pretty in     candlelight!
• Lace, ribbon
• Tools, such as pliers and wire cutters

Method:

• Simply rub your Magic Motif design onto the jar in the desired location, and peel back the backing paper to leave a sticky print on the jar.
• Now pour some glitter over your design, and shake off the excess. Voila!
• Another option is to use lace instead of the Magic Motifs. Simply sew a piece of lace around the jar. The easiest way is to measure around the jar. This will be the finished length of your lace jacket. Cut some lace, adding about a cm as your seam allowance either side. Fold the ribbon in half, right sides together, sew on your 1cm seam allowance, turn inside out, and 'hey presto!' Pull over your jar.
• All you have to do now is cut two pieces of wire. Twist the first around the top of the jar, just resting in the grooves. Make a handle with the second by shaping it as shown in the picture below. Hook it all together, and you're done.

• If you want you can now add a bit of colour with some ribbon, or add some interest with some decorative fabric shapes, beads, or metal butterflies. Use whatever grabs your imagination!

I hope you have enjoyed this little tutorial, and feel inspired to try it yourself. Drop me a comment below to let me know how you get on. Happy crafting!