How to make a Vesak lantern!

Vesak marks the Birth, Enlightenment and Passing away of the Buddha. With Vesak round the corner, you can make your own Vesak lantern.

You will need:

bendy straws
twist ties or string
cardboard
tissue paper of any colour
scissors
glue
tape
wire or string to hang the lantern
small candle that will stand up on its own

Step 1:

Make a square from four straws. Squish the shorter end and insert it into the longer end of the next straw to form a square. Do this six times.

Step 2:

Using twist ties or string, attach four of the squares together at the corners to form a ring:

Step 3:

Attach one square to the top and one square to the bottom by tying (or twist-tying) all four corners.

Step 4:

Cut a cardboard rectangle to fit inside the square. This is the bottom of your lantern where the candle will sit. Tape it in place.

Step 5:

Cut four squares and eight triangles of tissue paper. Cut them a bit bigger than the straw frame.

Step 6:

Put glue round the edge of squares or triangles and glue it on to the straw frame. Make sure not to tissue over the top!

Step 7:

To make a frill, fold a piece of tissue paper like a fan, leaving a band unfolded at the top. Then, holding your scissors at an angle, cut into the folded portion about three cm intervals. Don’t cut into the band at the top.

Unfurl and paste it at the bottom!

Hang the lantern after placing a lighted candle at the bottom.
(goodthough.wordpress)