DIY Lanterns Using Inexpensive Frames

A QUICK AND EASY WAY TO MAKE MODERN LANTERNS USING FRAMES

This little creation wasn’t 100% my idea but I did put a little modern twist on a project that I have been seeing hanging around Pinterest lately. I’m sure you have seen the tutorial on how to magically turn dollar store frames into lanterns. It’s quite genius if you are a DIYer kind of person. I tucked the idea in the back of my head and kind of forgot about it until I was in Walmart the other day and saw these document frames for $1.22 each (or you can get a 3 pack for 3.22). It was a “light bulb went off” kind of moment. You know how I feel about quick and easy DIY projects. I like them almost as much as I like wine.

HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN LANTERNS USING INEXPENSIVE FRAMES

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Frames of your choice (I recommend these from Walmart and they are actually cheaper in the store). Obviously the dollar store is a hot spot for cheap frames.
Wood glue
Nail gun (optional)
Black Sharpie Paint Pen (optional)
Vase of your choice
Dried Eucalyptus

I started out by taking apart my frames completely. If you plan on using a nail gun I highly recommend you also take out the glass. Even if you only plan on using wood glue I still recommend taking out the glass. It’ll be easier and lighter to work with. If you want your frames to look exactly like mine you should also use a pair of pliers and take out the little tabs that hold the glass in place. I didn’t use the glass inserts but if I ever plan to add them to the lantern I will use some hot glue to secure the glass back into the frame.

I applied some wood glue to the long edge of one of my frames, sat it up vertically and attached the other frame to it.

SAVE IT

And then secured it with one nail in each corner with my nail gun.

SAVE IT

This part is optional. If you have patience (which I do not) then you can just use glue and literally wait for the glue to dry. Rumor has it you can also use a hot glue gun. I would use painters tape to wrap around your frames to keep the two frames together if you do not have clamps while the glue is drying.

Once my lantern was put together, I used a Sharpie Paint Pen to paint the small nails/nail holes I made in my lantern so they weren’t as noticeable and it worked perfectly.

SAVE IT

Once you have all four sides attached to each other you can decide how you want to proceed. I left my glass inserts out and picked up some vases from Hobby Lobby and some of their dried eucalyptus.

SAVE IT

You can add the glass inserts back into your frame with hot glue and put some candles in it or fill it with little pumpkins. The lantern would also look great as a centerpiece for the holidays…