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(Music by Spencer Snyder)
Ah, summer evenings — by far the best time of day during the hot season. But what if you find yourself sipping your coconut water and reveling in the rooftop breeze, long after the late-setting sun has set? We have the perfect idea for you.
For this month’s How-Tuesday video, Allison Patrick of Zipper8 Lighting will show us how to make a beautiful summer lantern out of cocktail umbrellas. It’s colorful, fun, and easy to make! So give it a try — it’ll keep those summer nights going!
Supplies You’ll Need:
- A paper lantern
- Cocktail umbrellas
- A light bulb and light cord
- A base for your lantern
- Scissors
- A glue gun
Step One: Prep!
The first thing you want to do is cut the stems off your cocktail umbrellas. You will need about 30-40 umbrellas depending on the size of your umbrellas and lantern. Make sure you pick enough of each color! Open up your lantern and put it in the base so it won’t roll away.
Step Two: Glue!
Take each of your umbrellas and glue them onto the lantern. Be sure to glue them onto the paper of the lantern, not onto the wire structure. Hold each umbrella snugly against the lantern until the glue dries, then grab another.
Fell free to alternate your colors, make a pattern, or cover one whole lantern in a single color. Keep gluing until your lantern is fully covered.
Step Three: Hang!
With your scissors, carefully cut around the hole at the top of the lantern so you have room to thread your light bulb and cord inside the lantern.
Thread the light bulb and cord through, hang it up, and let the summer nights continue!
About the filmmakers: Buffalo Picture House is a production company founded by a select group of award-winning, young filmmakers and producers in New York City. Check them out at www.buffalopicturehouse.com.
133 comments
Sign in to add your ownmyvintagecrush says:
I love the softer light it casts! Thanks for a fun [maybe boozy..] how-tuesday!
1 year ago
bottlesbythesea says:
Such a creative yet simple idea... I love it!
1 year ago
BululuStudio says:
What a fun project.
1 year ago
ohohamyjo says:
Love this!! So creative!! -Amy
1 year ago
LouisaCatharine says:
I love it, fabulously fun project!
1 year ago
PoodlePoddles says:
Awesome idea! Love it! :)
1 year ago
vKnit says:
So fun! A perfect summery DIY!
1 year ago
BirdsChasingBugs says:
cuuuuuuuuuute!
1 year ago
theroyal says:
this one is really beautiful
1 year ago
salvagedspace says:
thanks a bunch to allison of zipper8lighting for sharing her secret! i've been admiring her lights for quite some time, and this one is just FUN! :)
1 year ago
overthemeadow says:
very cool... great idea !
1 year ago
KettleConfections says:
These are so cute and pretty! Perfect as summer outdoor decorations.
1 year ago
junkyardglitter says:
I am so excited to do this. Finally a reason to keep those darn things!!
1 year ago
littlejarofhearts says:
LOVE THIS! So creative and perfect for summer. yaaayyy
1 year ago
VintageEyeFashion says:
That is wicked cool! I had better start downing some serious Singapore Slings! ;)
1 year ago
MootiDesigns says:
Great colors and ideas. Thanks for sharing!
1 year ago
lapetiteposy says:
LOVE this! So fun & perfect for summer :) Thanks for posting!!
1 year ago
natashaaloha says:
very cool :)
1 year ago
MinceCo says:
HA hA, another excuse to have cocktails
1 year ago
LittleWrenPottery says:
Wow so pretty, I've always been fascinated by cocktail umbrellas. They always seem so delicate and tiny, a way to keep the summer glowing all year round!
1 year ago
jmbarclay says:
What a great project.
1 year ago
BingoBox says:
Cheers ! )
1 year ago
ddfoto says:
what a creative project!
1 year ago
thisthatotherthings says:
Very nice indeed, and I just love drinks with umbrellas in them.
1 year ago
ElizabethMironArt says:
Cute! I could see an apartment balcony with these!
1 year ago
Macramaking says:
how cool!
1 year ago
LoveandKnit says:
Great idea!
1 year ago
thecleverlife says:
This is. so. cool. Thanks for the inspiration!
1 year ago
blainedesign says:
love!
1 year ago
beliz82 says:
Wonderful idea !! Thank you for sharing
1 year ago
girliepains says:
That is super cute!
1 year ago
ShinShayOriginals says:
I have an ugly paper lantern at home, I'm totally going to do this!
1 year ago
MegansMenagerie says:
Great idea! Thanks for sharing =)
1 year ago
Parachute425 says:
Fantastic.
1 year ago
SeaSand says:
I can't wait to make this!
1 year ago
soule says:
Fun!
1 year ago
sonyarasi says:
Neat!
1 year ago
lorenabr says:
Wonderful idea!
1 year ago
myAvonlea says:
Love Love Love it.
1 year ago
whitehaus says:
SOooo pretty! Love this project!
1 year ago
kikisthisandthat says:
VERY cute idea!!
1 year ago
vitamini says:
I love this!
1 year ago
TheAdornedArticle says:
Love it! I can totally see myself gluing cocktail umbrellas to every lamp in my house.
1 year ago
ACupOfSparkle says:
I love this lamp! Such an awesome idea.
1 year ago
jungledread says:
pretty concept :D
1 year ago
Iammie says:
Inspiring!
1 year ago
katrinaalana says:
Seems like a fun project.
1 year ago
VintageGeek1979 says:
What a fun project! Thanks so much for sharing. : )
1 year ago
authorsdaughter says:
very cool!
1 year ago
tousleddolly says:
i am totally going to do this!! so cute!
1 year ago
accentonvintage says:
Such a neat idea ! Going to try it with the class I teach!
1 year ago
bicyclefamily says:
But then what do you drink!?
1 year ago
BoudicaBags says:
Fantastic idea! I love it. Anni
1 year ago
gallery32 says:
LOVE this idea! So creative. Thanks for sharing :) Trina
1 year ago
86ForTheHome says:
This would be pretty for indoors as well! I know the white paper lanterns can be found in different sizes. A grouping of various sizes would be pretty too. Thank you for a great and easy project!!
1 year ago
alexandrafa says:
Love this project!!! fantastic...
1 year ago
piperewan says:
pretty!
1 year ago
DARKLUXvintage says:
so pretty! great idea.
1 year ago
Bernhart2011 says:
Very ingenious!
1 year ago
WereRabbit2006 says:
Cool idea !
1 year ago
LavenderField says:
How awesome is this? Great idea and looks soooo cool!
1 year ago
honeycup says:
I absolutely adore this. Great tutorial.
1 year ago
bazketmakr says:
so pretty, simple to make, and fabulous! thanks so much for sharing it!
1 year ago
jammerjewelry says:
Loved your article!
1 year ago
katielynnjewelry says:
This is awesome!
1 year ago
MerCurios says:
What a fun-looking project! This is one that Gabriel (he's 5) and I can do together. Thanks for sharing!
1 year ago
VintageRescueSquad says:
I ADORE this!!!
1 year ago
julieandco says:
This is fantastic!! What a great video and super idea....definitely going to try that this summer!
1 year ago
LizAcorn says:
love!
1 year ago
BeadinBabe says:
Very cute!! I definitely want to try it..I wonder where I get the paper lantern and cocktail umbrellas at? Anyone know?
1 year ago
MademoiselleG says:
Oh I love this! So great for outdoors summer parties :-)
1 year ago
ShawnBoenArt says:
I LOVE this idea! .... I can hardly wait to make my own. Who knew! umbrellas would shed more light. :)
1 year ago
WhisperingOak says:
Beautiful
1 year ago
JasmineLund says:
I want to try this! I love paper lanterns; I painted one with watercolors a couple of years ago, and still enjoy seeing it in my room!
1 year ago
sillychic says:
This is def something I want to try out!
1 year ago
laceydesigns says:
I have a collection of these umbrellas cuz I have seen some cool stuff done with them. this is the one I am going to try.... thanks!!!
1 year ago
TheScarfTree says:
Wow! I love this! I can just envision how beautiful it will look with a light inside at night time! All the colours - and a whole lot of them in a row! Thank you for sharing!
1 year ago
rozzie says:
oooooo i loves!
1 year ago
BlueRoseRetro says:
When I go out for sushi I will start collecting the little umbrellas. I know I could buy a whole pack from a party store but I do love sushi so. LOVE this idea. thanks for sharing.
1 year ago
BeadKnead says:
What a great idea for a warm sunny afternoon, sitting under the umbrella.!!!
1 year ago
DVictoriaDesigns says:
Clever, colorful, fun and easy, what could be better! It is an inspirational idea and I wish you much success in all your endeavors.
1 year ago
mroses says:
how cute! what a neat idea!
1 year ago
Studio1270 says:
Wish I had seen this before my party last weekend! Too CUTE! Thanks for sharing
1 year ago
ElEstilarioCCS says:
woooo so much fab!!! this is the best one guys! thanks!
1 year ago
StyleGraphicDesign says:
Wow!! There are many ways to express your creativity:))))
1 year ago
TartAndFeathered says:
I can't wait to get busy with this! ...and, it sure does give me an excuse to have a second (or third, just sayin') drink! :)
1 year ago
BirdiesCozyNest says:
Great idea, thanks for sharing! :)
1 year ago
ManoushMama says:
What a crafty idea...great for dinner or pool parties. I can just picture them swaying in a light breeze.
1 year ago
urbanheirlooms says:
How cute is that? And way too much fun! I need that on my patio... :)
1 year ago
ElizasJewelry says:
These are wonderful! A nice touch to add to an evening outdoors with a few friends!
1 year ago
Alaroycreature says:
OMGOSHIES im going to try it :)
1 year ago
kathyjohnson3 says:
What a creative idea!! Love it!
1 year ago
lauratownsley says:
brilliant idea, I love it :)
1 year ago
HisBlessings says:
I love the color this will add to my porch! Just what I was looking for, thanks!
1 year ago
glassscroll says:
Very cool and creative! I have to try this! Thank you for sharing!
1 year ago
CuffandCollar says:
Great Work!
1 year ago
teconlene says:
Beautiful result!
1 year ago
Art2ArtColorado says:
i really like this project! *my only suggestion would be to include a brief fire safety blurb re: bulbs to recommend for use with any paper products.... we wouldn't want any lighting fixture giving off more light than expected! ;)
1 year ago
Caramelka says:
it's a kind of magic:)
1 year ago
erisermaar1van says:
Nice to see Etsy picked up my idea. :) Lots of umbrella lights on my website www.erisermaar1van.nl.
1 year ago
EnRouteStudio says:
Add on: Tie strings around the umbrella tops to get a geometrified look.
1 year ago
gracelinepaperstudio says:
A very beautiful idea. Hhhmmm, trying to think how i can incorporate my kusudama flowers into this. I love the simplicity and cost too. Thanks.
1 year ago
lauryndesign says:
Great idea!! We loved it so much, we had to include in our Weekly Roundup blog today. Check it out here: http://bit.ly/qhvZ6D xo, the ladies of ThursdayNightDinner.org
1 year ago
SophiaFredricka says:
Beautiful idea! I want to make a couple for indoor use!
1 year ago
Soles says:
lindo!
1 year ago
bridechilla says:
LOVE THIS!
1 year ago
mohadesign says:
Colorful idea, i like
1 year ago
MissFiKingdom says:
great way to add color to plain white lanterns
1 year ago
LoopDeeDoo says:
So fun, colorful and EASY! I think I'll make on to hang in my office/studio.
1 year ago
Craftintheattic says:
The attic is in for a refurb!... Dust Bunnies go find me a lantern......!
1 year ago
OSPanache says:
I am running out right now to get the supplies to make this simple yet gorgeous lantern.
1 year ago
IbtihaajGoya says:
lovely idea for summer fun even after the sun goes down! Party ON!!
1 year ago
ModernShop says:
Beautiful! Thanks for the instructions!
1 year ago
Debbs4 says:
Beautiful!!!
1 year ago
moonseats says:
Such an awesome idea! Well done for thinking of it and thanks for sharing.
1 year ago
vnd07 says:
This is awesome! I am definitely going to do this. I am always looking for inexpensive DIY projects for my apartment. Good stuff. :)
1 year ago
saburkitty says:
Super Cute! Thanks for sharing.
1 year ago
BlancEtCaramel says:
What a wonderful idea! So colorful... I guess that would even make a nice lamp for my crafting office :)
1 year ago
koukou123 says:
I love it..Beautiful. !!!! this is a wonderful idea!!!
1 year ago
TheDuckerShop says:
ur idea is so awesome. i really love it. thx
1 year ago
sandramaia says:
Lovely... :) simplesmente fantástico!
1 year ago
midgeandjudy says:
my little miss 12 is going to ♥ this so much
1 year ago
adandelionblows says:
This is so "neat 'n sweet"! Anxious to make one!
1 year ago
redemptionart says:
I'm going to have to drink a lot of mai tais...lol!
1 year ago
BluKatDesign says:
So cute! Thanks!
1 year ago
Roselyn888 says:
Love, love, LOVE! Thank you for your kindness, for passing on this design for us to try
1 year ago
Scorpionvantruc says:
oh, I love it. Colors's very beautiful. I will make one!
1 year ago
GiangNguyen says:
I only got the pun of 'How-Tuesday' when I watched the video. The pun does not work with accents that would pronounce it as 'chooseday'. And the lanterns look amazing!
1 year ago
handmadebysoo says:
What a lovely idea - can't wait to try it. Perfect for summer evenings in the garden. Thank you.
1 year ago
Lescherubins says:
wow, great idea! Thank you for sharing!
1 year ago
charmaineandme says:
Fabulous! Great project idea ~ well produced! MORE! MORE! See you next Tues I hope! Thanx! D
1 year ago
SusanaTavares says:
Such a great and wonderful, fun idea!!!!! Thank you!!!
1 year ago
luellabird says:
Love it! :)
1 year ago