Create a warm atmosphere in your garden, on your balcony or in any other outdoor space by making a series of decorative lanterns.
It’s an easy, inexpensive solution that will brighten up your space and give you the chance to express your personal style.
With old tin cans and a few tools, you can punch any pattern you like into your lanterns. Just let your imagination run free!
We found the idea and the photographs for this simple project on designspongeonline.com.
WHAT YOU WILL NEED:
old tin cans
a hammer
2 wooden boards
2 clamps
a selection of nails and screwdrivers with different tip sizes and shapes
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Prepare your work surface by screwing the two wooden boards together at right angles, as shown in the image above.
Use the clamps to secure the boards to a sturdy workbench or table, and make sure the upright board extends beyond the edge of the bench by a length matching the height of the cans.
This setup is needed so that you can pierce the cans without the metal buckling.
2. Print out the pattern you want on your lanterns and tape it to the cans with masking tape.
3. Slide a can over the projecting part of the wooden board. Using a nail, pierce the surface of the can at the points marked by your pattern, turning the can each time so that you are always piercing against the wooden board.
4. Remove the paper pattern.
Now take the rest of your nails and screwdrivers and, using a hammer, enlarge the holes you have already made.
Try different tips to add variety to the pattern.
5. If you want to hang the lanterns, thread a thin wire through two holes opposite each other and fasten it at the ends.
Place a tealight inside each can and your lanterns are ready!
