Let it Shine, Let it Shine, Let it Shine

by Taryn

Would you like a unique way to set the mood for a late-night patio party? Do you need a quick and easy gift for a shower or housewarming event? With a little creativity and some supplies you probably have lying around, you can fashion a hanging lantern so beautiful that no one will know how easy it really was.

Just check the recycle bin for pickle, mustard, and olive jars, gather up the juice glasses and jelly jars you have in the basement, or scope out your local yard sales for uniquely shaped bottles--anything with a lip at the top. Then, add a bit of wire with a few decorative twists, some beads, candles of various shapes or even wild flowers to make a hanging vase, and you have a charming gift (for a friend or for yourself). The variations are endless--so go on, give it a try!

Note: Because there are so many possibilities, we've chosen a simple mustard jar and a votive candle for our demonstration. You can follow your own creative spirit in collecting your supplies and putting them together.

Supplies Needed:

2 sizes of galvanized steel or copper wire:

16-18 gauge (thin); and

12-14 gauge (thick)

needle-nosed pliers

wire snips

assorted jars, glasses, and bottles

assorted candles (votive, tealight, taper)

beads and other small decorative ornaments

1.) Cut a length of thick wire, four times the height of your jar.

2.) Place the jar over the center of the wire and bend the wire around the bottom and up the sides, following the curves of the jar if necessary.

3.) Cut a piece of thin wire, and inch or so longer than the perimeter of the mouth of the jar. Using the pliers, make a spiral at one end of the thin wire and secure one end to one side of the thick wire and wrap tightly all the way around the lip of the opening. Secure with another spiral again on that same side. Trim any excess.

4.) Using the pliers again, make spirals with the ends of the thick wire, curling them in toward the middle.

5.) Cut another piece of thin wire for the hanger. Bend in half and put one end through each of the spirals at the top.

6.) Leaving a loop, twist the thin wire to make a braid-like effect until you reach the ends. Then use the pliers to make a spiral for a hook.

7.) Cut two shorter pieces of wire for dangling beads on. Make a spiral at one end of the wire, add your beads, and then attach to the side of the jar with spiral curling the other way at the opposite end.

Now that you've experimented with one method, challenge yourself and try new styles of handles and different ways to bend the wire. Soon you'll be designing lanterns in your sleep!

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