I love paper lanterns, and this little tutorial is absolutely adorable! So easy to make, cost practically nothing, and ideal for decorating a room for any holiday or event. Using pages from some old books helps keep costs low while also adding a unique look to the lanterns. I really love how easy this is to make, and I know you will too! Add them to a shelf, on your table, or hang them for a fun decoration for your next party.
Table of Contents
Hanging Paper Lanterns
You already know that when making almost any papercraft, I am going to reach for my stack of old books to use the pages as the base. This lantern project was just a little fun idea for decoration, but could also be easy to make with any paper you have on hand.
While they are not traditional lantern, they are a great choice for decorating. They look great with farmhouse decor thanks to the rustic nature of the papers. You can, of course, make them work for any decor as a simple accent, featured decoration on a mantle, or a simple way to add light to a room. They can even be the ambiance at a romantic dinner with your spouse!
Can These Hang From the Ceiling?
These little lanterns can definitely hang from the ceiling. While the paper isn’t super sturdy, you can attach a little ribbon or even a length of fish line to them to safely hang them from the ceiling. I like the idea of just adding a bit of ribbon and stapling it to the backside or top of the little lantern.
While I love using old books for crafting, I admit that if you want to hang these, it is best when you use a thicker paper. Card stock or craft paper works better because the tension from the string hanging won’t rip them as easily as it does book pages.
Are These Safe to Use With Candles?
I would not use these lanterns with an actual flame of any kind. Obviously, paper is highly flammable, so it wouldn’t be safe to use it with a real candle. Instead, you can use little LED candles for light. I pick these up at the Dollar Tree in packs of 6 for $1. You can buy them in bulk online, at craft stores, or most regular department stores.
If you want a lantern that works with real candles or flames, you can use this tutorial for how to make a tin can lantern or a decorative lantern from an old tuna can! What a brilliant idea for adding a real lantern to your decor. You can also check out this list of garden lanterns for the outdoors as good options to bring light to your backyard.
I also love this farmhouse lantern made with picture frames and wine glass lanterns for tealight candles. There are tons of ways to use real candles to light a room!
How Can I Decorate These Paper Lanterns?
Below, I show you how to make three different styles of this old book page lantern, but they are a bit simple in appearance. If you want to dress them up a bit, you can definitely add little extras. It’s easy to make these lanterns unique to fit your style!
You can use different papers to make the lanterns as a start. Construction paper, craft paper, scrapbook paper, card stock, and newspaper can all be used for a different look to the lanterns. A bit of glue or mod podge and sprinkling glitter onto the paper really makes them sparkle. You can use ribbon or twine accents or even a few sequins or rhinestones if desired. Get creative and turn your lantern into a real gorgeous decor piece.
Supplies Needed
- Pages from an old book
- LED tealight candles
- Unique hole punch or decorative craft scissors
- Scissors
- Craft knife
- Stapler
- Hot glue gun
- Hot glue stick or hot glue rope
How to Make Hanging Paper Lanterns
Tear two pages from an old book per lantern you wish to make.
Trim the pages down on both sides so they are even and no rough or ragged edges are left.
Now, roll one of the pages into a tube, and staple along the edges to secure. You will do this for each lantern you make.
Cut a 1″ wide strip of paper or book page for each lantern.
Use a decorative hole punch or craft scissors with a scalloped edge to cut along the strip of paper to give the handle a unique appearance. Set this aside for later.
First Paper Lantern Design
Fold a book page in half.
Cut along the folded edge of the paper every 1/8″ all along with the page. Do not cut completely through the page, leave the end with 1/4″-1/2″ wide strip of solid page.
Unfold the paper but keep the folded edge creased.
Now, glue the solid edges around the tube you created.
The creased part of the page will stick out and the solid part will be glued to the top and bottom of the tube.
Second Book Page Lantern Design
Place a book page on a cutting mat, and use your craft knife to cut down the page leaving both ends in place but creating lines throughout the page about 1/8″ wide.
Wrap this around a tube you have already created, and glue the top and bottom to the tube.
Leave the strips open and rounded.
Third Lantern Design
Place a book page on a cutting mat, and use your craft knife to cut the lines in the middle of the page, leaving a 2″ section on one side and 1/4″ edge on the other.
Fold over the top edge to create a small crease.
Wrap this around a tube you have already created, and glue the top and bottom to the tube.
Fluff the strips out so they are rounded.
Add a handle to the top of all three of your lanterns with glue or staples as preferred.
Decorate and add to any room as decoration or lantern.
More Uses for Old Book Pages
If you have extra book pages left over, you’ll love some of our other projects. This old book page calla lily bouquet is a new favorite with a delicate look. I also love the paper rose ball made from old book pages or just simple old book page flowers to use as accents. You can make old book page feathers, hanging birds, or even an old book page paper hedgehog craft.
Crafter’s Tip
When making paper crafts, I love keeping a variety of hole punches and decorative craft scissors on hand. These are great for adding little accents, making edges prettier, and sometimes covering up a mistake made when crafting.
Simple Hanging Paper Lanterns from Book Pages
Turn pages from an old book into these adorable little hanging paper lanterns! Add an LED light to make them glow or sit on a shelf as decor!
Materials
Instructions
- For every lantern, tear 2 pages from an old book;
- Trim the edges of the pages off so they are even;
- Roll one of the pages into a tube shape, and staple along the edges. Do this for each lantern you want to make;
- Cut a 1" wide strip of book page for each lantern, then use a decorative hole punch or crafting scissor to create a scalloped edge on each piece;
First Paper Lantern Design
- Fold a book page in half vertically;
- On the folded edge, cut across the paper every 1/8" leaving the opposite edge intact, do not cut completely through; leave 1/4"-1/2" wide strip on the opposite side;
- Unfold the paper, but crease the folded edge so it creates two sides of strips;
- Glue the solid edges around the tube you created earlier;
Second Book Page Lantern Design
- Place a book page on a cutting mat, and use your craft knife to cut down the page leaving both ends in place but creating lines throughout the page about 1/8" wide;
- Wrap this around a tube you have already created, and glue the top and bottom to the tube;
- Leave the strips open and rounded;
Third Lantern Design
- Place a book page on a cutting mat, and cut lines 1/8" apart leaving 1/4" edge on the top and 2" edge on the bottom;
- Wrap this paper around one of the tubes you made earlier and glue the solid edges;
- Fluff out the strips to form a lantern shape;
- Add one of the decorative strips you cut earlier to each lantern to act as a handle;
- Place the lantern over an LED tealight to create light or simply add to a shelf as decor.
Notes
You can use any paper you want to make these lanterns.
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