Craft Old-Fashioned Lantern Silhouettes

Crayon flames glow behind silhouettes of antique lanterns cut from black construction paper.

        These little paper lanterns hang from a black paper chain, decorating our family cupboard during the Fall holidays. The patterns for the flat lanterns are based upon antique tin versions and the crayon colored flames are drawn on separate pieces of white paper that are glued to the back sides of the black paper cut-outs.

       For this craft you will need the following supplies: crayons, white school glue, a white pencil, stapler (optional) white paper, black construction paper, a ruler and a pair of scissors.

Step-by-Step Directions:

1. Cut strips of construction paper 1/2" wide and 5-6 inches long. Loop these inside one another using either white glue or a stapler to tack the ends of each loop shut. Make the paper chain long enough to drape onto a cabinet or to hand across a window.
   
2. Decide what size you want your lanterns to be. Cut out the proper length and width of a black construction paper rectangle. 
3. Fold this rectangle in half lengthwise. 
4. Use a pencil or white crayon to draw your lantern's design, either the left or right side only if you want the pattern to have equal window designs on both sides of the lantern. 
5. Then cut the window design and the outer shape of the lantern out on one half of the pattern. 
6. Unfold the lantern to reveal a pattern that has a symmetrical design.
7. If you want a lantern with an asymmetrical design you will need to draw a silhouette directly on top of a unfolded, rectangular paper to cut away every negative shape slowly and carefully.
8. Color the faux flames of your lantern on bright white paper and glue these paper fires to the backside of your paper lanterns to make these look as though they are lit.
9. Cut an additional construction paper loop to attach the lanterns to your paper chain.
10. Now you can hang up some vintage looking lamps to decorate for Fall or Halloween.
    

Above are the silhouette patterns I cut from black construction paper.

 

Links to Old-Fashioned Lamps:

• A variety of old-styled lanterns and lamps still made by craftsmen
  
• How to make an old tin can lantern