Make Beautiful Hanging Lanterns For Your Home Using A Creative Balloon Hack
Do you remember your school days when all you had to worry about was making papier-mâché and coloring inside the lines? Well, this article might not be a time machine, but you will lose yourself in a childhood memory making these easy, but stylish, paper lanterns.
You can make your paper lamp with items you may already have. All you need to recreate the most whimsical hanging lanterns is a pack of napkins, some white glue, a balloon, battery-operated tea lights, and either flowers or leaves you found outside (you can also use faux versions from your local craft store, or add some ribbons to elevate your designs). This is also a great way to transform coffee filters into unique hanging home décor by using them instead of napkins. It's up to you! All of the supplies you need can be found at Dollar Tree or any other craft or home store. The balloon doesn't need to be filled with helium — in fact, you want to use a basic pump or blow it up yourself, otherwise, you might have a tricky time creating your lantern if it keeps trying to float to the ceiling.
Building your hanging paper lanterns
Once you have a blown-up balloon, mix your glue with water in an even 1:1 ratio and create a paste. Next, you can pull your napkins apart so that you're left with two finer squares. You can rip these up into strands or cut them, and if you prefer to use toilet paper that will work, too. Tissue paper is another option that can provide a thin enough layer while still remaining intact. Begin adding your TP, napkins, or tissue paper to the balloon one section at a time, covering the entire piece in your paste. You want to cover the whole balloon, only leaving a small gap at the bottom so you can eventually pop and remove the plastic. Keep in mind you likely want several layers, especially if you split your napkins into thinner pieces or your toilet paper is already thin. It's also important not to make it too thick since paper lanterns are a charming way to add light to your home and you want your tea light to shine through.
Start with two to four layers, then you can add your embellishments. As mentioned before, these can be real or faux plants (leaves, flattened flowers), or you can use slim ribbons and tie small bows. If you love a shimmery moment, you can sprinkle glitter or sequins on your lantern, too. Add another layer of paper to secure your decorations, then allow the lantern to dry.
Once it's dry, flip it over and pop the balloon gently by pulling on the tied end and making a small cut. Remove the deflated balloon and trim around the opening of the paper lantern if you need to make it larger to fit your battery-operated tea light in. The bottom with the gap will become the upright end, and you can add two smaller holes on either side of the opening to string rope, ribbon, or even wire through. Insert a tea light and hang your lantern to enjoy a decorative design that looks expensive but costs so little.