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Diwali lanterns

Leafy Lanterns

Just the thing to give you a warm glow on these dark winter evenings!  And better still, as you will need sticks for the frame, and leaves and seeds for the decorations, it will involve going for a walk in the woods – always good to have an excuse for this!

You will need:

• 3 sticks @ 14” for the base

• 3 sticks @ 18” for the uprights

• 1 stick @ 24” for the handle

• Masking tape

• A small tin (small size baked bean tin or tuna tin is suitable)

• Thin garden wire, wire cutters, pliers

• White tissue paper

• Coloured tissue paper (autumn colours)

• PVA glue, water, margarine tub

• Sponge and glue brush

• Dry and fairly flat leaves and seeds (field maple and sycamore seeds good)

The sticks need to be between half and one centimetre thick, and dry.  Hazel and willow are particularly good for this as they grow long and straight.

Step 1 - making the stick frame…

First, make the stick frame, using masking tape to fasten the sticks firmly at each joint (see diagram1).  Start by making a triangle with the 3 base sticks; make sure that  at each corner of the triangle, the sticks overlap to create a little V shaped notch on the outside joint (see diagram 2). Now lay the base triangle flat and fasten each upright firmly into the v shaped notches, using masking tape. Make sure there are a few centimetres of stick below the base to act as legs and to let the heat out.  Move the 3 upright sticks together at the top to create a pyramid shape, jiggle them around until they sit comfortably with each other, then fasten them.  This is your frame and it will already feel quite strong. 

Step 2 – making the candle holder

Now is a good time to make the candle holder for your lantern … you will need an adult to help you with this.   Make 4 small holes in your tin (drill, or bang nail through) and thread wire (2 pieces, each about 60cm long) through these holes as shown.  Bring 4 ends of wire up together and after about 10cm twist them all together to make one thick strand of wire, bend this into a hook at the top (see diagram 3).  Next make a loop inside your frame for the candle holder to hang from. To do this, bend another piece of wire in half to make a loop, hang this down below the top joint of the lantern and twist the wire firmly round the joint. Hang the tin from the loop so it hangs inside the lantern, just above the level of the base sticks – make sure you remove it before you start sticking the tissue paper! Finally, if you would like to carry the lantern using a separate carrying stick, attach a second loop sticking out of the top of the lantern, so that the lantern can be hung from a wire hook attached to your carrying stick.

Step 3 – decorating the lantern

And now for the messy and most exciting part!  Work on a surface that can be easily wiped down afterwards (eg, plastic tablecloth).  Rip 2 sheets of white tissue paper into largish pieces, any shape will do.  Mix PVA glue with water in margarine tub (half and half).  Use sponge to wipe glue mix all over one side of the tissue, then carefully lift wet tissue up and stretch over sides of the lantern frame.  Continue until 3 sides of  frame are well covered with wet tissue. Use glue brush to add glue as needed to tissue once it is on the frame.  If tissue rips, just overlap the next piece over the hole.  Make sure tissue wraps round over base sticks, but leave gap on all sides at top of lantern for heat to escape.  When lantern is all white and wet, apply your leaves and seeds as you wish, and then pieces of coloured tissue on top.  Use autumn colours, remember ripped edges look better than cut edges of tissue and make sure you use plenty of glue mix – this will make your lantern strong and see-through!

Finally, use a piece of wire and masking tape to make a hook on the end of your long stick, and you can carry your lantern!  Use a nightlight/tealight for safety, and always light your lantern in the company of an adult.