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Lantern DIY: Let there be light!

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DIY lanterns

I joined a Pinterest a little more than a month ago and have been slowly falling in love with it ever since. Does anyone else use the site? Seriously, it’s crazy nifty and can easily fill hours and hours of your time with great ideas and tons o’ eye candy. I’ve started a few boards, and though they’re by no means filled or finished, I’m acquiring quite the collection of inspiration at lighting-fast speed. Love, love, lovity, love.

At the same time I was embarking on my newfound love of Pinterest, I was also on the hunt for an outdoorsy DIY project to make for the June/July issue of Columbia Home. I quickly landed on two adorable yarn-ball-ish lantern projects (check them out here and here) and decided to combine the two techniques for my own version of lantern loveliness. And oh happy day, this is by far my favorite DIY project to date. Fair warning, it’s a super duper messy project — like you’re-hands-will-be-covered-in-sticky-goo-and-your-work-space-will-be-speckled-with-gluey-drops-of-glueness kind of messy — but the mess and cleanup are well worth the effort. Just invest in a cheapo plastic drop cloth and a pair of plastic gloves, and it’s not too big of deal.

Here’s what you need for the lanterns:
• 5 to 6 balloons, blown up to whatever size ball or lantern you want to make
• large plastic drop cloth
• scissors
• twine, hemp or cotton yarn (I used hemp because it seemed a little tougher for outdoor use, but next time I might go the white yarn route for a lighter, brighter look.)
• 4 ounces basic white glue
• ½ cup cornstarch
• 1/4 cup warm water
• petroleum jelly
• clear, fast-drying spray paint
• lantern lights or white twinkle lights (I like the twinkle lights because they have that twinkly, magical look, but lantern lights would be nifty, too.)

Blow up balloons to desired size. Keep in mind that the size of your balloon dictates the size of your lanterns balls (it’s also helpful not to blow up the balloons all the way; a bit less air makes for rounder balloons).

If you plan to place a lantern light in your finished lanterns, draw a circle on the top of each balloon large enough to accommodate the lighting fixture. If you’re not planning to light the lanterns or you’d prefer to stuff them with a simple strand of twinkle lights, you can skip this step (just make sure you leave enough space while wrapping to stuff the twinkle lights inside).

Lay a plastic drop cloth over your work surface, and set up a place where balloons can be suspended from the air to dry. I draped the plastic drop cloth across the bathroom floor and into the bathtub so I could hang the balls on the shower bar.

Mix glue, cornstarch and warm water in a large container until all lumps are gone, then cover each balloon in petroleum jelly (using rubber gloves for this cuts down on the mess).

Feed the twine through the glue mixture until it is coated, then start draping it around the balloon.

Wrap the ball vertically to a comfortable tightness, then horizontally. Once ball is wrapped to your liking, use a piece of twine to suspend it from the shower bar (or drying space of your choosing).

Allow balls to dry for 24 hours. Then, pop the balloons. It’s like magic! Spray the balls with clear, fast-drying spray paint. Once they’re dry, insert the lights, and you’re ready to party like it’s 1999! Woot!

And that’s really all there is to it! Totally adorable and totally easy (albeit totally messy as well).

Have you done any DIYing lately? Any new projects on the agenda? And have any of you fallen if love with Pinterest, too? Let’s hear it!

XO,
Katrina

Comments

      • I’m really not sure if that would work. The Vaseline really, really coats the twine to keep it from sticking to the balloon, so I’m not sure if the spray would be an adequate alternative. It might, though, if you spray it on generously enough. And if it does work, it would be SO much less messy! So if you try it and have luck, please let me know. Happy crafting!

  4. I love these! Got to your site thru CraftyNest & like the “thicker” look of your hemp in relatoin to the twine or string. Katrina, do you happen to recall which weight of hemp you used? I found several at the craft store. Thanks! Kelly

    • Thanks, Kelly! I’m a fan of the thicker hemp, too. It gives the lanterns a sort of rustic look, which is great for outside. I can’t remember the weight of hemp I used, but it was the thicker of the two options available at Walmart. I think any weight would work, really. This hemp was almost as big around as a pencil. Hope that helps!

  7. I love these – and with a little bit of spray paint, you could use the idea to spruce up any holiday or special occasion. Thanks so much for the great idea!

  9. These are so cool! I know someone who used these for a wedding and they looked great! I’ll be sure to try this soon. I really admire your creations, I would love it if you could look at some of mine on my blog: theblissofsimple.blogspot.com
    I just started blogging a few days ago and I’m trying to get it out there. Thank you!

    • Thanks so much for reading! There’s no shortage of fun DIY projects to try, that’s for sure. 🙂

      Judging by your blog, it looks like you have lots of clever ideas up your sleeve. I love the black cat you made. He reminds me of the cat from Coraline. Perfect for Halloween!

      Best of luck on your new blogging endeavor! I’ll be sure to check back in.

  10. Well I have everything and getting ready to start my light project. Sounds simple enuff. Courious to see how the twine adheres to the slick (vaseline) balloons !

  11. I’ve loved Pinterest since my girls got me going on it! I can’t wait to try your lights for all the outdoor parties we’re hoping to host this summer!

  12. How do they hold up in the weather? I camp and thought these would be awesome hanging from the trees or deck but did not know if they lose their shape from the rain.

    • I take mine inside when it’s rainy to keep them looking nice, so I’m not sure how they’d hold up in that kind of weather. Maybe an extra layer of a polyurethane spray would help them fare better though. The sealing is the biggest issue I suppose. Do let me know if you try it how they work out! 🙂

      • I use the thick hemp to hang my large hand blown glass ornaments outside in my trees. They stay outside all year long and the hemp holds up for a long time. When I say for a long time, I’m talking about 4-5 years minimum. That is excellent considering the weather that we endure here in West Virginia.
        I thought about using the battery powered lights inside of them. Make you when you purchase them they are for both indoor & outdoor use. They would be excellent for outdoor events.
        Happy Crafting?

  13. How do you think spraying the balloon with Pam cooking spray would be instead of the vaseline?

    • That might work, especially if you do a really solid coat of the stuff. Actually, it would be a much less messy way to do the project, so please let me know if you try it! Great idea!

    • So glad you enjoyed it! I hope you have fun doing the project! And even more fun enjoying your awesome new lanterns! 😉

  16. Wow wow wow wow wow!!! The first time I look at the pictures of the lamps i just fell in love with it, and then i see the tips of how you made them, i am loving them more! they look absolutely easy to make but really modern look! Definitely a special element in the garden! Thanks for the sharing, i will totally try that in my garden!

    PandoraFlora
    https://www.pandoraflora.com

  18. Just made these last night with my boyfriend, they turned out great 🙂 I used “punching” balloons that I got at a store called Five Below .. They stay more round compared to regular balloons and you can make them very big! I used 1/4 in. sized jute, which I didn’t think would work because it is so thick, but it did and it is super super sturdy! Thank you so much, I’m planning to hang these on our future pergola!

    • I’m so glad to hear they turned out! Punching balloons are an awesome idea. It sounds like you have the makings of an amazing outdoor space!

  19. Great idea! What is the point of using clear spray paint? Is it just an extra adhesive? Is it a necessary step or can I leave it out?

    • The clear spray paint is really just an extra layer of protection to help prolong the life of your lanterns. It’s not necessary, especially if you’re good about taking them inside and storing them carefully after you use them. But it does make them a little more durable. Hope that helps! 🙂

  20. You’re awesome!! Love your ideas and ideas. Used to work at Hobby Lobby and crafting is in my veins. Sooo….making a lantern. Thanks so much!!!

  21. These were a pinterest fail for me. Idk what I did wrong but the twine would not stick to the balloon. I cut pieces and immersed them in the glue mixture and draped them over the balloon but the ends keep coming off

    • Oh no! Did you cut the twine before you had finished wrapping the entire balloon? For each lantern, I kept one long strand of twine going until I was totally done wrapping. Then I cut it off and tied it. It’s the wrapping vertically and then horizontally (snugly!) that really keeps the twine in place. Sorry to hear it didn’t work for you. Hope you’ll give it another go! 🙂

  22. i love this thank you…Do you think it would be okay to spray paint when dried and completed? i have the yarn but i don’t like the color of the yarn, so i will try this DYI but wondering if I can spray paint when complete?

    • I think spray paint would be fine, though make sure you choose a paint that can safely withstand the heat from the lights. You can always add a coat of polyurethane on top of the paint, too. Hope that helps! Happy DIYing!

  23. Hi I was just wondering if I could use just school.glue and water for this I don’t have cornstarch let me know thanks -Shay

    • I would probably make a quick trip to the store for some cornstarch. I’m not sure that the consistency would be right without it. Hope that helps! 🙂

    • A coat of polyurethane will help them keep their shape in a bit of rain/snow, but it would be best to bring them inside when you have bad weather.

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