DIY :: Papier-Mâché Style Twine Lanterns

Love this project! These are totally perfect for an evening event, whether indoor or outdoor! You can make them in any size or any shape that you want. This particular project uses balloons of different sizes to make round lanterns, spray paint them white and add white string lights to add the glow effect. You can personalize it even further depending on your event style and theme!

See the full article at Splash of Something.

Fair warning, this is a super duper messy project — like you’re-hands-will-be-covered-in-sticky-goo-and-your-work-space-will-be-speckled-with-gluey-drops-of-glueness kind of messy — but the mess and cleanup are well worth the effort. Just invest in a cheapo plastic drop cloth and a pair of plastic gloves, and it’s not too big of deal.

Here’s what you need for the lanterns:

• 5 to 6 balloons, blown up to whatever size ball or lantern you want to make
• large plastic drop cloth
• scissors
• twine, hemp or cotton yarn (I used hemp because it seemed a little tougher for outdoor use, but next time I might go the white yarn route for a lighter, brighter look.)
• 4 ounces basic white glue
• ½ cup cornstarch
• 1/4 cup warm water
• petroleum jelly
• clear, fast-drying spray paint
• lantern lights or white twinkle lights (I like the twinkle lights because they have that twinkly, magical look, but lantern lights would be nifty, too.)

Blow up balloons to desired size. Keep in mind that the size of your balloon dictates the size of your lantern balls (it’s also helpful not to blow up the balloons all the way; a bit less air makes for rounder balloons).

If you plan to place a lantern light in your finished lanterns, draw a circle on the top of each balloon large enough to accommodate the lighting fixture. If you’re not planning to light the lanterns or you’d prefer to stuff them with a simple strand of twinkle lights, you can skip this step (just make sure you leave enough space while wrapping to stuff the twinkle lights inside).

Lay a plastic drop cloth over your work surface, and set up a place where balloons can be suspended from the air to dry. I draped the plastic drop cloth across the bathroom floor and into the bathtub so I could hang the balls on the shower bar.

Mix glue, cornstarch and warm water in a large container until all lumps are gone, then cover each balloon in petroleum jelly (using rubber gloves for this cuts down on the mess).

Feed the twine through the glue mixture until it is coated, then start draping it around the balloon. Wrap the ball vertically to a comfortable tightness, then horizontally. Once ball is wrapped to your liking, use a piece of twine to suspend it from the shower bar (or drying space of your choosing).

Allow balls to dry for 24 hours. Then, pop the balloons. It’s like magic! Spray the balls with clear, fast-drying spray paint. Once they’re dry, insert the lights, and you’re ready to party like it’s 1999! Woot!