How to Make a Japanese Paper Lantern

Japanese paper lanterns add a festive feeling to any garden party, particularly if you'll be entertaining at night. While Japanese paper lanterns are readily available at party supply stores, making your own allows you to customize them to match your party's theme and colors, and save money at the same time. You can create as many lanterns as you wish to suspend over your garden, transforming your yard into the perfect party venue.

Two pieces of 30-inch wire
Three pieces of 36-inch wire
Glue stick
Tissue paper cut into 3-inch-wide by 40-inch-long strips

Instructions

- 1
  Lay the two 30-inch pieces of wire one on top of the other and twist them together six inches from the bottom and 24 inches from the bottom. Separate the two pieces of wire between the twists to form a 36-inch circle, with six inches of wire at both the top and bottom.
- 2
  Shape the remaining three pieces of 36-inch wire into three circles. Holding these three circles together, draw them across the 36-inch circle with the six inches of slack at the top and bottom. Fan the four circles out into a ball shape, and use the slack at the top and bottom of the first circle to hold all of the circles together. The remaining wire on the bottom goes inside the circle.
- 3
  Use the remaining wire at the top of the circle to form a small loop that will be used to hang the Japanese paper lantern.
- 4
  Apply glue to one side of a strip of tissue paper. Apply the first strip of tissue paper centered over a piece of wire. Start at the top, and follow the wire all the way around the circle, overlapping as necessary. Apply the next piece of tissue paper so that it overlaps with the first, and continue until the ball is completely covered. Allow glue to dry completely.

DIY Yard Sculpture

How to Create Garden Gnomes

Lawn Ornaments