Twig City Lantern

Here is a rustic lantern made from a few garden clippings and tissue paper.

Materials:

twigs

white and tan tissue paper

white glue (Elmer's)

watercolor paper

electric tea light

Tools:

garden clippers

hot glue gun

1" paint brush

heat gun or hair dryer (optional)

Cut four twigs about 12" long and 8 twigs 4" long. Glue two of the 4" twigs between two of the 12" twigs with hot glue as above. Repeat with the other 12" twigs.

Join the two structures with 4 more small twigs.

Cut a square of watercolor paper and glue to the bottom to make a paper shelf.

Dilute the white glue until it is the consistency of milk. Lay the lantern down on it's side and paint the twigs with the diluted glue. Tear off a piece of tissue paper (about the size of 1/2 of a piece of copy paper). Gently lay the paper over on the twigs and pat with a dryish brush to adhere the paper to the twigs. Turn the lantern and repeat on each side. When the entire lantern is covered, Lightly paint the expanse of tissue paper on one side with white glue. (The tissue paper will be very fragile at this point) Tear small (4" x 4" or smaller) pieces of paper and lay it on the wet paper. Carefully paint over new paper with slightly wet brush. If a rip happens, apply another piece of paper to cover the tear. Repeat on each side. The wrinkles will add to the texture.

Allow to dry, but if you're like me you'll want to use a heat gun or hair dryer to speed up the process. Cut 1" squares out of tan tissue paper and glue 6 to each side. Glue a final layer of white tissue paper pieces over the entire lantern. Dry.

Place an electric powered tea light on the watercolor shelf.

Make a whole city of these tissue paper and twig lanterns for a unique centerpiece on your table.