Lantern Making Workshop

June 5th from 4PM to 7PM

4th and Rogers Block Party

Join us during the 4th and Rogers block party, upstairs at Lotus Headquarters for an evening of creativity, community, and light. Together, we’ll transform recycled materials into beautiful handmade lanterns that help illuminate the path ahead.

Lanterns have long symbolized guidance, hope, and spirit, leading us forward together. Lotus will provide all supplies; all you need to bring is your imagination and your spirit to help brighten the way.

Lotus Lantern in 10 Easy Steps

1. Cut off the bottom of a plastic water bottle (about 1.5 inches from the base) to use as the base.
2. Make two holes on opposite sides of the bottom piece, positioned directly at the top rim of the base.
3. Thread a piece of string through both holes and tie a knot in the center.
4. Take your yellow paper and place it vertically (tall-way). Measure 2.5 inches from the left edge and cut a strip from bottom to top. Then mark a 0.5-inch border along the longest side for your tape.
5. Repeat the cutting process for your other colors. You need 4 more strips total (one must be GREEN), measuring 3 inches wide instead of 2.5 inches. Mark a 0.5-inch tape line on these too.
6. Fold each paper strip in half, then in half again to create a small rectangle. Make sure the 0.5-inch tape outline is on the outside and visible.
7. For the yellow strip, make thin vertical cuts down to the tape line to create fringe. For the other strips, draw two petal shapes on the folded paper (bases attached to the tape line) and cut them out through all layers.
8. Gently curl the fringe and petals inward by pressing them between your thumb and the blade of your scissors, then pulling toward the tips.
9. Using double-sided tape, layer your strips onto the base starting with the yellow fringe at the top. Stagger each subsequent layer a little lower than the last, keeping the string holes clear of tape and paper.
10. To light up your lantern, place a battery-operated (fake) candle inside the plastic base.