Enchanted Candle Lantern

Light up a wintry night with the warm glow of a lovely luminary.

This wax candle lantern gets its gorgeous glow from fabric embedded in the shell. And while it’s as easy to make as melting wax, the result is captivating!

You Will Need

2 pounds molding candle wax, melting point 148°F

Empty half-gallon candy or milk carton

4½-inch x 13-inch printed fabric

1½-inch x 13-inch printed fabric (same fabric as above)

Butcher knife

Cutting board

X-Acto knife

Hot plate

Saucepan

2-pound pouring pitcher

Oven mitt

Chopstick

Cookie sheet

16 inches ribbon, ¼ inch wide

Metal charm

Hot glue gun and glue sticks

Electric votive or low-temp soy candle in glass votive holder

To Make The Wax Candle Lantern

Step 1

Using the butcher knife, cut the wax into small chunks. Place the chunks into the pouring pitcher then heat the pitcher in a saucepan of boiling water, double-boiler style. Stir the wax with the chopstick until it is completely melted.

Step 2

Cut the top off the empty carton with the X-Acto knife. Pour a small amount of melted wax into the carton and let it cool to seal any leaks. Then fill the carton almost to the top with melted wax.

Step 3

Let the wax cool until the skin on top is 1/8 inch thick. (Check the thickness by cutting into the skin with the X-Acto knife.) Cut off the skin with the X-Acto knife, then pour the remaining liquid wax back into the pouring pitcher.

Step 4

Place the large piece of fabric inside the carton on top of the layer of wax. Use the side of the chopstick to press the fabric into the corners and smooth the fabric onto the wax.

Step 5

Fill the carton with melted wax covering the top edge of the fabric lining by ¼-inch. Let the wax cool until the skin on top is 1/8 inch thick, as before. Cut off the skin then pour the remaining liquid wax back into the pouring pitcher.

Step 6

Let the wax candle lantern cool, then carefully remove the carton by opening the bottom and peeling off the sides.

Step 7

To smooth the top edge of the lantern, trim with the X-Acto knife. Lay a cookie sheet on top of the saucepan of hot water and place the luminary top-side down on the cookie sheet. Melt the top to create a smooth, even edge.

Step 8

Wrap the bottom of the lantern with the small piece of fabric and secure in the back with hot glue. Then tie the ribbon around the fabric and knot it in front. Finally, hot glue the charm on top of the ribbon knot. Drop the votive into the lantern and light up your night!

CRAFT HOW-TOS

DECORATING IDEAS

As seen in

Country Accents

Magazine

BRIGHT IDEAS

With wax candle lanterns, it’s all about the embedments. You can put almost anything into the wax, just as long as it’s flat!

Japanese Lantern: Make a candleholder with Far-East flair by embedding kimono-printed origami paper. Dress up your lantern with an obi sash made from a strip of the origami paper. Wrap it twice with a thin silk ribbon and tie in a knot.

Natural Light: Bring in a touch of nature with amber silk leaves. Embed one or two leaves on each side of the lantern, then wrap the candleholder with raffia over a wide amber ribbon. Embellish with a golden acorn.

Snowy Glow: For a delicate snowflake look, line your luminary with vintage lace. Wrap the bottom of the candleholder with a wide blue ribbon, then lay a strip of lace on top. Finish it off with a silver snowflake charm. Then drop in a votive and let it glow, let it glow, let it glow!

Stay Cool Tip: If your candle lantern is wider than 4 inches, you can use a soy votive inside without melting your lantern. If your luminary is smaller, use an electric votive instead.