I came across some super cool DIY tissue paper lanterns on Alisa Burke’s site last Friday and I haven’t been able to stop making them since. I was so excited that I shared the project on Facebook immediately, the kids and I made a round of lanterns that day, which I shared on Instagram, and then I’ve been making them myself and with friends since.
We have a lot of tissue paper lanterns in our house now. It’s awesome.
Especially at night, when they are all lit.
So, the first round we did, the kids and I drew and doodled on white tissue paper with Sharpie markers and with my beloved Pilot rolling ball pens. And then we wrapped the tissue paper art around our drinking glasses and used a piece of tape to secure it.
These were our drinking glasses after all and I wasn’t sure I wanted to give them up altogether.
But we were almost out of drinking glasses and I wanted to do more and try different shapes, so went to the thrift store and picked up a box full of glass jars, votive holders, and glasses to use for this project.
I spent an evening listening to music and doing some zentangle and doodling a sugar skull.
This one I Mod Podged to a hurricane lantern I picked up at Michael’s when I was buying the white tissue paper and votive candles.
The next evening I had friends over to make more.
And don’t think I’m finished! Because I’m not.
I want to make some as gifts. And I want to make some Halloween ones with the kids—maybe ghosts and spiders and haunted houses.
Ready to make some yourself? Here are the basic instructions…
How to Doodle Tissue Paper Lanterns
Warning. This project is addictive. And you’re gonna want to make more than you think.
MATERIALS
- White tissue paper (I bought a package in the gift wrap section of the store)
- Permanent markers (We used Sharpies and Pilot rolling ball pens)
- Glass jars (votive holders, glasses, or recycle-bin jars)
- Mod Podge
- Foam brushes
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Cut a piece of tissue paper to fit around your glass jar.
2. Draw and doodle on your tissue paper with permanent markers. You can go black and white or color. They both look awesome on these lanterns.
Tip :: Protect your work surface with a tray, placemat, or piece of paper. The marker will bleed through the tissue paper.
3. Brush a layer of Mod Podge on the outside of your glass jar then carefully wrap the tissue paper around the jar. Add another layer of Mod Podge over top if desired. I did in some cases, didn’t in others.
Note :: If your jar is curved at all, you will have to pleat or overlap areas of your tissue paper as you Mod Podge it on to make it fit the shape.
4. Let dry.
5. Add a tea light or votive candle, light, and enjoy your beautiful new tissue paper lantern!
By the way, if you haven’t clicked through to see Alisa Burke’s tissue paper lanterns yet, you should. They are beautiful and inspiring.
More DIY Candle Lantern Ideas
- Tissue paper candle holders (with colored tissue paper)
- Lace candle holders
- Leaf lanterns (on Red Ted Art)
- Mason jar lanterns with beaded handles (on Buggy and Buddy)
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Wow – these are gorgeous – especially your sugar skull. I love how easy it would be to create them seasonally or for special personalized gifts. So fun!
Thanks, Crystal!! So glad you like them! And I agree — these would be so easily adapted to any season or gift recipient.
Beautiful! One question–did you have problems with tissue paper tearing? I’m picturing the sharpies going right through, but the papers colored in completely in the background look like they held up amazingly!
We didn’t have any problem with that, Aileen. I think the tissue tore maybe once in all the lanterns we made. You just need to be a bit on the careful side but it’s not a big deal.
Beautiful lanterns – looking forward to having a go.
Thanks, Anna! I hope you enjoy making yours!
These are fantastic! They have inspired me to do a project using Chagall’s art as an inspiration piece.
Ooh! I wish I could see it!
These are gorgeous, I want to make them right away with my kids (and probably also without them). The tissue paper I have it kind of shiny on one side, I’m guessing that’s the side I should draw on?
I think that would be fine, Kate, although it probably wouldn’t matter too much which side you draw on. Enjoy the project!
You’ve gone tissue paper votive crazy!! I LOVE these, and I think it’s so cool to find something that strikes a creative nerve this strongly.
I love these! My son and I made some today and the only problem I’m having is getting the tissue paper on the surface of the glass smoothly. (Our votives & glasses aren’t curved or tappered) Yours look so lovely; any tips on the best way to adhere the tissue paper on the mod podged surface? Thanks!
i love this ,it looks great fun and a pretty cheap thing i can do with my daughter and she loves any kind of craft ,shall be trying this out in the next few days
For the first picture with the line of people holding hands, is it white tissue paper colored in with black or black tissue with white drawings?
Hi Situ. It’s all white tissue paper with black drawings.