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Homemade Paper Lantern Light Strand!!
I came across this project on while stumbling. I fell in love and had to do it! Here's a how-to that's much simpler to understand than the one on the website.

Posted by Becks S. from U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado, United States • Published • See Becks S.'s 36 projects »
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You Will Need

of sheets of Patterned Paper 1 String Of Light s
  • How to make a decorative light. Homemade Paper Lantern Light Strand - Step 1
    Step 1

    Start with a 6"x6" piece of thin paper. You could use origami paper, or do what I did, cut a 12"x12" piece of scrapbooking paper into 4 squares. Construction paper is not a good choice for this project.

  • How to make a decorative light. Homemade Paper Lantern Light Strand - Step 2
    Step 2

    Fold your paper from one corner to the opposite corner, pattern side up, like so. Do it to both sides so you end up with an "X" in your paper. Make sure you crease it good. Then unfold it.

  • How to make a decorative light. Homemade Paper Lantern Light Strand - Step 3
    Step 3

    Then fold it in half with white side up, making sure to crease it good again. Then unfold it.

  • How to make a decorative light. Homemade Paper Lantern Light Strand - Step 4
    Step 4

    Next fold it like this, making a triangle. It should fold up pretty easily.

  • How to make a decorative light. Homemade Paper Lantern Light Strand - Step 5
    Step 5

    Now you'll want to fold the bottom corners up to the top point on both sides.

  • How to make a decorative light. Homemade Paper Lantern Light Strand - Step 6
    Step 6

    It should look like this when you're done.

  • How to make a decorative light. Homemade Paper Lantern Light Strand - Step 7
    Step 7

    Now, take the loose sides and fold them into the middle where the seam is.

  • How to make a decorative light. Homemade Paper Lantern Light Strand - Step 8
    Step 8

    And do this to both sides. You'll end up with something like this.

  • How to make a decorative light. Homemade Paper Lantern Light Strand - Step 9
    Step 9

    Now, find the little pocket on your new folds..

  • How to make a decorative light. Homemade Paper Lantern Light Strand - Step 10
    Step 10

    ..and fold the corners into it.

  • How to make a decorative light. Homemade Paper Lantern Light Strand - Step 11
    Step 11

    Now do this to both sides.

  • How to make a decorative light. Homemade Paper Lantern Light Strand - Step 12
    Step 12

    Lightly bend what you have so far to loosen the paper and make it more pliable; that way it's easier to blow up.

  • How to make a decorative light. Homemade Paper Lantern Light Strand - Step 13
    Step 13

    This is what you should have so far.

  • How to make a decorative light. Homemade Paper Lantern Light Strand - Step 14
    Step 14

    And now blow into the opening, puffing up your box. You might need to help it along a little bit when it comes to the shape of it.

  • How to make a decorative light. Homemade Paper Lantern Light Strand - Step 15
    Step 15

    Now get your lanterns and your lights.

  • How to make a decorative light. Homemade Paper Lantern Light Strand - Step 16
    Step 16

    Here's what you're looking for.

  • How to make a decorative light. Homemade Paper Lantern Light Strand - Step 17
    Step 17

    Now just put your lanterns over your lights!

  • How to make a decorative light. Homemade Paper Lantern Light Strand - Step 18
    Step 18

    And that's it! You're done! Now just plug them in and enjoy. :)

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Comments

Becks S.
Becks S. · U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado, US · 36 projects
Thank youss (:
Reply
Bluebee
Bluebee · Francestown, New Hampshire, US · 6 projects
that's gorgeous ! thanks for the how to, I'll have to try it !
Reply
Paige R.
Paige R. · New York, New York, US · 17 projects
LOVE! I'm going to go get my origami paper right now! Now, where did I put my Christmas lights??
Reply

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