One of the best things about the holidays are the beautiful lights that decorate our homes and our streets! If the days have to be shorter, at least we can warm up the dark with glowing candles and strings of colorful bulbs. This year I took the plunge and headed into my local craft store with a list of materials needed for these wonderful Copper Candle Lanterns. Before I got started I worried they would be difficult to make, but I'm sharing them today because they are sooo easy!!!
You'll need these things to make them:
a few sheets of copper foil: which can be challenging to find. I found mine at Joanne's Fabrics, in the etching section. Ask at the counter where that is. They had copper and silver foil. I prefer the copper because it creates such a warm, rosy light.
an awl: or a sharp punching too. Every craft box should have an awl, sometimes it's the only tool that will do!
a hole punch
a box of brads (or those brass paper fasteners)
a ruler
a pencil
scissors
to make: lay out your copper foil and using the ruler and pencil, lightly mark out the size of the candle lantern you want. I made small ones, medium sized and one large. Using the scissors cut out the shape of the lanterns and spread flat on the table. Using pencil and ruler again mark out the designs you would like to punch out of the copper. Basic designs are best, I tried to make a punched-out impression of a castle, and it was too busy to work well.
With your awl (and a little cardboard backing) simply punch small holes in the shape of your design. Using the hole punch at the top and bottom of the lantern allows for more light to escape and adds to the sparkle factor. Very pretty!
To close and fasten: simply roll piece into a tube for lantern, punch two holes on edges with hole punch, insert brads into each hole and fasten. Voila! Put over tea lights and enjoy!!!!
