This is how you make a simple paper lantern using materials that may be found around your house or garage! Since this paper lantern is so easy to make, and so decorative, you could make many of them to light up your room!

Step 1: Gather Wire

I found a spool of wire in my garage that was easy to bend and also holds it's shape. This will be used for the frame of the paper lantern.

Step 2: Constructing the Pieces for the Frame

Cut four pieces of wire in increasing lengths to form four circles, each slightly larger. Since they hold their shape well, a simple piece of electrical tape will hold the ends together.

Step 3: Frame Supports

Using the same spool of wire, cut 4 equally sized pieces. I could easily bend the wire into straight pieces with my hands.

Step 4: Constructing the Frame

Constructing the frame was a little tricky. First, gather the largest ring, the smallest ring, and one straight piece. Using a hot glue gun, attach the smallest ring to the top of the straight piece of wire, and attach the larger ring to the bottom of the straight piece of wire. You will need to hold it up with your hand, as shown. When the glue dries, add a pinch more of hot glue and wrap approximately 1 foot of string or yarn around each attachment for added support. Add the rest of the wire as shown in the picture.

Step 5: Attaching the Paper

I found tissue paper in our craft room. I cut out 1 piece of tissue paper for each square of the frame, 12 total. I used hot glue to attach the paper to the frame. It was tricky to make the tissue paper stay in the spot where I wanted it, but after a few pieces were attached, it became easier. We only had white tissue paper, but I think this lantern would be cool with different colors of tissue paper.

Step 6: Attach Second Layer of Paper

I cut 4 equal lengths of tissue paper to be used as a second layer. These were attached with hot glue. Once I attached them all, I trimmed any excess paper. As you can see, I now have a cone shaped paper lantern.

Step 7: Hanging Your Lantern

Cut four 1 foot long pieces of yarn or string. attach one end of each piece to the end of each of the 4 straight pieces of wire where they connect with the largest ring, as shown in the picture above. I used hot glue. Tie the other end of the four pieces of yarn or string together. You can now attached any length of string you like to these four pieces of string to hang your lantern.

Step 8: Light Up Your Lantern

I found some rope lighting in our garage. This can easily be cut into your desired length to reflect the amount of light you would like. I cut mine to the same length as my lantern. I bent two finishing nails into a hook shape, and then hammered them into my ceiling to hang the lantern and rope lighting. You will most likely need an extension cord for your rope lighting to reach the lantern and the outlet. I also attached another bent finishing nail to the corner where the wall and ceiling meet. This way, the extension cord will run along the ceiling over to the wall and finishing nail, and then down the wall to the outlet. Now you have a decorative paper lantern that adds a nice soft glow to your room!