Lovely Paper luminary -or- Is it too early to be thinking about Christmas crafts?

This started out as an idea for lighting a table at my friends wedding.  But seriously...I'm thinking I'll be making some of these for myself as holiday decorations!

I love paper lanterns!  They are also super easy and extremely cheap to make!

Here's what you need:

16 even pieces of wood (I used popcicle sticks, but you could use just about anything to construct these of all sizes I suppose.
Glue gun and hot glue
Elmers (or any white craft glue)
Tissue paper
Paper flower (optional...you could put whatever you wanted on the top or nothing at all!)

Start by assembling the box with hot glue (assemble two ends first)

 Begin gluing on the pieces that will connect the two ends, you will have to hold them in place for a few seconds while the glue sets.

 Connect the two ends to form your box.

I added "paneling" then to the corners of the sides so when the light shines through it looks even.

Once your box is assembled and the glue is set, grab whatever tissue paper you plan on using. I'm making mine with gold tissue paper.

Make sure you use a piece about twice as wide as your box and long enough to wrap around the whole box.

Using your white glue, align and glue the tissue paper to the first side.  Now, find something else to do while you wait for the glue to FULLY DRY.

Once dry, carefully begin wrapping the tissue paper around the box, gluing as you go.

Trim any excess and glue down the last side.

Use a small paintbrush dipped in the glue to "paint" down the edge of the paper.

Now for the top: (think gift wrapping!)

Now cut those triangles off (leave a little overlap in the paper so that when you glue it down the sticks don't show through)

 

Glue along those seams in the top

 Use your paint brush to spread out the glue. Add more glue and "paint" all of the sides with it.  Remember, allow each side to dry before moving on to another.  When wet the tissue paper can tear easily.

 Once dry, add an embellishment to the top (or not!), insert a light and admire!

I'm thinking a whole bunch of these in various sizes grouped together (like presents!) would make a great centerpiece or coffee table decoration for the holidays.