Homemade Glow Lantern

Candle Lanterns

• To create hanging lanterns that glow using candles as a light source, you will need to use glass jars or other glass containers. Glass jars such as Mason jars, baby food jars, small drinking glasses or wine glasses can all make lovely lanterns. Paint the inside of the jar with craft glue or glass frosting paint to diffuse the light. Fill the glass lanterns about 1 inch with sand, pebbles or Epsom salts, then place a votive candle inside the lantern.

Solar Lanterns

• For a glow lantern that runs on solar energy, you will need a clear glass jar with a hinged lid and a small solar garden light. Look for solar-powered LED garden lights that have small, round tops. Remove the top of the solar light from the base. Glue the solar light to the inside of the lid using hot glue or clear epoxy. Measure the height of the inside of the jar. Cut wax paper, parchment paper or white paper in a strip as wide as the inside of the jar. Roll strip up and place inside the jar. The paper will diffuse the light. Alternately, you can paint the inside of the jar with craft glue. Then close the lid and place in the sun to charge.

Electric Lanterns

• One way to create that beautiful candlelight glow without the worry of fire is using electric votive candles, which can be purchased at party stores, craft stores, home decor stores and some general retailers. Paint and prepare jars like you would for glow lanterns with candles. For colored glow lanterns, mix food coloring with clear craft glue before painting the inside of the jars.

Hanging Glow Lanterns

• If you want to hang glow lanterns, you will have to create a handle, loop or hook to hang them by. For glass jar glow lanterns with candles, wrap heavy gauge wire around the threads on the lip of the jar and create a loop for hanging. Copper and other decorative wire is sold at craft stores and hardware stores, so you can make glass jars that match your existing metal decor. For glow lanterns using electric votive candles or solar-powered LED lights, you can hang jars with raffia twine, cords or ribbons. Secure twine, cords or ribbons to glass jars with a bit of hot glue.