DIY Lights, Lanterns & Luminaries

Lighting plays is an important element to any party and it helps set mood for your event. Save some money with these easy DIY lighting projects.



Lace Lanterns


Directions:
Overlap lace doilies on an inflated balloon and brushing fabric stiffener (or wallpaper glue, or even white glue) onto the doilies. Be sure to cover it completely so that the whole thing hardens and you aren’t left with limp spots.
Let the doilies dry overnight to ensure that they are completely dry.
Pop the balloon and pull it out of the opening. The lanterns can be hung with a ribbon or fishing line draped with strands of beads.



Light Waterfall


Directions:
Wrap Christmas lights in tulle, attach to wall and repeat.




Tea Light Lanterns


Directions:
Wrap strip of vellum around battery operated tea light, adhering with double stick tape.
Using brads attach length of ribbon to "lantern" to form a handle from which to hang.



Tulle Light Garland


Directions:
Cut the tulle into strips, the size is really up to you depending on how big you want your bows
Wrap one of your tulle strips in between each bulb on your string of lights, tie in a knot and repeat with another piece of tulle to give a cross shape effect and repeat until all the spaces are filled with tulle.



Paper Bag Luminaries


Directions:
Fold over about 1” of the top of the bag. Put a tea light in each bag and light with a long match or lighter.
To add a design: Slide the small piece of cardboard in the flat bag, so you have a surface to cut on without cutting through the other side of the bag. Using a pencil, trace your stencils and use an x-acto knife to slowly cut out the design.



Icicle Light Chandelier


Directions:
Spray paint hula hoop with white paint and attach 2 strings of icicle lights with white electrical tape




Mason Jar Lanterns


Directions:
Create hangers by attaching wire to mason jars and attach mason jars to string.
Wrap light around string and inside jars.



Don’t forget to test the lights in the space prior to your event. You don’t want the space to be too bright and loose its romantic feel.