How to Make a Simple LANTERN OF HOPE

Hand-made, 3-dimensional, tissue paper lanterns in shades of white, pink and reds are being created by the community to celebrate Blossoms of Hope's blossoming season. The lanterns are constructed using wooden dowels, masking tape, tissue paper and glue.

The construction is easy and suitable for all ages and abilities. The project is completed fairly quickly and it requires no specialist tools.

Materials are minimal:

• Wooden dowels
• Masking tape
• Different colored tissue paper
• PVA glue

Procedure is simple

• Using masking tape, make a 3D shape from the dowels, taping together the ends and points where the sticks join. For a simple teepee style lantern make two, equalateral triangles as shown. Then fasten three longer dowels together at the top.
• Spread the three dowels apart at the bottom and slip the larger triangle over the top and down to the bottom. Using masking tape fasten each of the three corners of the triangle to the three upright dowels as shown.
• Next, slip the smaller triangle over the top of the teepee and fasten as shown.
• Next trace the shape of one of the pyrimid's faces onto a sheet of tissue paper and cut out. The size does not have to be exact and should be slightly larger. Using a brush apply the glue to either the sides of the paper or the dowels of the lantern fram.
• Now lay the tissue over the framework of your 3D shape. Using your brush, gently guide the paper over the frame and smooth flat.
• Repeat this process until the entire framework of your 3D lantern has been covered, making sure that each tissue shape is overlapping. Lightly apply modpodge to the entire paper covering of the lantern taking care not to over wet and tear the tissue. Overlap all seams. Apply decorations cut from contrasting colors of tissue paper to tissue sides. Leave to dry

• Finally, using wire or string tie the lantern to a longer dowel carrying stick. Suspend a battery powered tea light from the top of the stick down into the center of the lantern.