Paper Lanterns

Glue (4) Craft Sticks together to form a square.

Repeat Step 2 and create (3) more squares.

Cut a square piece of white tissue paper. It should be approximately 2 inches larger than the craft stick square, as shown.

Place the tissue paper square on a piece of wax paper.  Gently wet the tissue paper using a large brush. Carefully sweep the brush across the tissue paper, always going in the same direction.  It’s best not to drag the brush back over the wet tissue paper.

Very gently paint some abstract designs on the wet tissue paper with watercolor paint. Work slowly and carefully to avoid ripping the paper.

Repeat Steps 4-6 to create (3) more painted squares of tissue paper.  Once dry, you will see beautiful, soft designs emerge due to the watery effect of the watercolors.

Apply glue around the edges of one of the Craft Stick squares.

Gently press the glue side down in the middle of a painted tissue paper square.

Add craft glue around the edges of the tissue paper. Don’t use too much.

Using the large brush, very gently brush the glue around to cover all the edges of the tissue paper, as shown.

Fold the left and right sides into the middle, and press gently to flatten.

To finish the piece, fold the top and bottom pieces to the middle and gently flatten.

Repeat Steps 8-13 to finish 3 more pieces.

Glue the 4 pieces together to create a square as shown. Make sure the the sides where you folded over the tissue paper are all facing into the middle of the lantern.

Once dry, place an LED tea light inside the lantern to light up the painted designs. Using an LED light is a safe alternative to an actual candle light, with the same soft glow effect.

In New Mexico, luminarias, or paper lanterns, are placed outside during the Christmas season and are traditionally paper bags filled with sand and a candle. Many luminarias are set out in rows to make a light path. In China, paper lanterns are put out during festivals and carnivals. Children love the lanterns, which are shaped as circles or squares. Paper lanterns are popular in American decór, and can be seen in restaurants and homes to make guest feel welcome.