Chinese paper lanterns are both an ornament and a talisman. They are used not only for decorating holidays. According to ancient legends, paper lanterns can scare away demons, attract luck, and lovers who quarrel, return lost happiness. Looking at the charming twinkling of the lights in the lanterns, you really want to believe it.
In this article, we'll show you how to make a paper flashlight.
Paper lanterns with own hands
To create a heavenly flashlight you will need:
- cigarette paper;
- fire retardant spray for paper processing;
- glue;
- cardboard (for creating a template);
- ruler;
- pencil;
- scissors;
- a wooden hoop, thin strips of wood or vines (capable of bending);
- wire;
- a piece of natural cloth (wool, cotton or linen);
- paraffin (you can take a few candles);
- pliers;
- metal cover from the can (or any refractory dish).
First, we treat the paper with a protective spray. To do this, it must be weighed on the clothesline and processed from top to bottom in small sections, waiting for the paper to dry completely between the approaches. Do not handle too much area at a time, because wet paper can tear under its own weight.
Now sheets of tissue paper should be glued in pairs so that the area of the finished sheets was sufficient for a flashlight measuring 90x55 cm. You need to make 4 large sheets. For a secure bond, the seam on the sheets should be about 5 mm wide (glue must overlap). If desired, you can make a two-color flashlight.
On the cardboard, draw a flashlight template. In the illustration it is depicted on the side, the bottom of the finished flashlight in the picture is on the right. The height of the flashlight is 90 cm, the widest part is 28 cm and the lower part is 15 cm.
Fold the tissue paper in half along the vertical axis and attach the template straight side to the fold. Draw a pencil on the edge of the flashlight on paper and cut it out. In the same way, make three more sides. In total, we will get 4 identical parts. Glue their edges so that a semblance of a paper bag is obtained. Wait until the glue dries completely.
Make a wooden lamp base. Cut 2 thin strips of wood and bend them into arcs. Connect and fasten their ends to make a ring. Screw to the ring two pieces of wire so that they cross in the center.
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Accurately and gradually glue the bottom of the paper flashlight to the wooden ring. Carefully smooth the edges and grease them with glue. Gaps or gaps should not be.
Melt in the paraffin wax and soak the knitted fabric. Tighten the impregnated lump in the center of the ring (on the crossed wire). The flashlight is ready.
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Now you know how to make a paper flashlight flying on the principle of a balloon. When launching such flashlights, remember safety precautions: do not run them near high voltage lines or other fire hazardous places, do not allow children to use flashlights without adult supervision.
Suspended paper lanterns
Another popular type of paper lanterns is hanging. Only they are used as decorations for the holidays because it is difficult to provide full coverage with their help. To give them a sufficiently bright light, their number should be quite impressive. But, as a source of soft warm light for a party or a romantic dinner, paper lanterns are just perfect.
In the gallery you can see examples of decorative paper round lanterns, which are used, either singly or in garlands. Do not forget that there are a lot of types of paper lanterns. So, you can make a flashlight from paper , which decorate the trees.
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