Beginners guide to making small medium sized lanterns to use outside. You will find many different beginners’ guides on making willow lanterns and this is my one. You will need the following Structure Buff willow withies, 6ft rods for medium sized structures, 6-10 rods will do although you can use more for a more detailed shape. Good masking tape (not low tack), wire to make your hanging loop – gaffa tape or insulation tape to further secure the hanging loop is also useful. Optional 2- 3 self adhesive Velcro tabs. A torch or battery operated Christmas lights Secateurs and wire cutters. If you are planning to parade with your lantern you will need a 5 - 6ft Cane or thick hazel rod, to secure this to the lantern use a wire loop or metal hook which has been attached with a strong plastic tape e.g. Gaffa tape or insulation tape. Strong cable ties or a carabina. Coverings. Wet strength tissue, standard craft tissue is not strong enough. Pva Glue mix ration 50/50 with water or my preferred mix which is to add scola cell cellulose paste glue to the water to make it go on better , ratio pva 30/70 scolacell. Plastic pot, sponge/ brush and paper scissors, Plastic table coverings.
Hints and tips Things to consider before you start
Decide on the shape that you want to make, you will need it to be strong enough to not drop or stretch out of shape when you carry it. If you have a limited amount of paper and willow. It is always worth making a plan first especially if you want to design a lantern beyond the basic shape. Consider what type of light you are planning to use? And how you going to fasten it? You might want to make an internal platform?
Building the frame.
Safety considerations -Be careful with the withies they can spring back and whack you in the face. Don’t force the willow into shape , ease it gently into using your fingers to ease it into shape. Keep the thicker ends for the structural parts that need strength, the thinner ends for the details. If you are making a shape that needs the willow to bend and it is snapping because it is to dry then soak the willow before using it, your willow supplier will provide advise on how to do this, don’t let the damp willow dry out whilst you are using it, wrap it in a damp towel. Less is more – avoid the tape being too bulky, in small areas split the tape in half, length ways. You might find it helpful to use some wire ties or pegs to fasten the pieces together first before you tape them to check that the shapes is in the right place.
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