The concept of the lantern is not one which is as outdated as you may think. The majorities of home decoration stores carry candle lanterns and gas lamps but sell them mainly as decorative items. Rarely would you find a lantern in the lighting section of your local hardware store or the Lowe’s down the street, but that does not mean that these nostalgic items cannot still be beautiful and functional. Below is a step by step instructional on turning a simple lantern into a unique work of art. Lanterns can be found in antique stores, yard sales or your local Pier One imports store. Regardless where you purchase your lantern the fact remains that it is probably fairly simple and in need of a personal touch. Buy purchasing a cheap $10 lantern from any store and then using some creativity and personality you can have a show piece which will radiate light throughout your home.
Try buying a simple metal lantern with glass sides and removing the glass. Next go to your local crafts store and purchase some paints and a mosaic kit. The majority of mosaic kits come with broken bits of glass and tile, also it should come with a can of cement or mortar which will set the tile pieces in place. Once you have all your tools and mosaic pieces laid out, begin arranging the mosaics in the inside bottom of the lantern. Then set the mosaic in place with the cement provided. Do not worry about excess cement, this will be brushed off or sanded away once it is dry. Now while you are waiting for your mosaic to dry take the glass panels from the sides of the lantern and paint your own design on them, this will create a very cheap and easy version of your own stained-glass lantern. You can always take it to a stained-glass artist and have them do a real one, but this would likely cost 50-60$ and I just do not have the budget for that.
Now that you have painted the side panels of your lantern the cement should be dry. Take some sand paper and lightly brush away any excess. This should reveal your wonderful lantern with a mosaic inside. Now you can replace the glass side panels and place a candle inside. Suspension of the Lantern is best in an open area where the light can radiate on all sides. Lanterns work great for table centerpieces or as lighting in Entryways.
For that summer BBQ lighting, take your lantern outside and remove one or two of the glass panels, then place a citronella candle inside. This will allow for the citronella to circulate around you and your family as well as adding some peaceful ambiance.
You do not have to go through the entire process of creating your own work of art in order to achieve what I describe here, but I would suggest that when looking for unique lighting ideas that you check out the nostalgic rays of a lantern before you pick up a table lamp at Home depot.
