If you put a candle in, it will light up the night.Paper bag luminary are the most popular, but you can make them from other materials.If you live in an area where the temperatures fall below freezing, you can make ice luminaries.
Step 1: A plain paper bag is what you should get.
A brown paper lunch bag is great for this, but you can use a colored paper bag.These bags can be found in the gift wrap section of a craft store.They are often labeled as "goody bags."Cut off the handles of your bag with scissors.Do not use bags made from paper.The light won't illuminate them and make them glow.
Step 2: The bag should be turned so that the front of it is facing you.
Turn the bag so that the smooth side is facing you.The back of the bag is folded against it.flip the bag over if you can see the folded bottom.
Step 3: Use a pencil to make a shape on the front of the bag.
To trace the shape onto the bag, use a pencil.If you don't want to freehand the design, use a stencil, cookie cutter, or fall leaf.As simple as a Jack-o-Lantern face can be your design.The design needs to be from the bottom of the bag.If you want to use a shaped craft puncher, skip this step.
Step 4: A small cutting mat can be put into the bag.
There are self-healing mats in the scissors section of a craft store.If you can't find a cutting mat that's small enough for the bag, use a piece of wood or thick cardboard.If you are using a craft hole puncher, place the upper half over the front of the bag.
Step 5: You can cut your design out with a craft blade.
If you are doing an intricate design, you should start with the smaller, inside shapes.Cut away from yourself and replace the blade when it becomes dull.To cut out your shape, press down on the handle of the craft hole puncher.If you want a more delicate design, use a hammer and an eyelet setting tool.The holes should be 4 to 2 inch apart.
Step 6: Clean up your lines after you remove the cutting mat.
Remove the cutting mat from the bag.Pull the paper out of the bag or cut it with a pair of scissors.
Step 7: If you want, you can put tissue paper inside the bag.
Attach a sheet of tissue paper, tracing paper or thin printer paper to your bag.Attach it to your bag with glue or pieces of tape.It will give your luminary a softer glow.The glow can be changed by using colored tissue paper.A glue stick is the best for this.You will need to wait for it to dry before using regular white glue.
Step 8: Put the luminary on a heat-safe surface and fill it with sand
A concrete doorstep or driveway is a good place to display your luminary.Make sure the luminary isn't knocked over.The bag should hold 2 inches of sand.The luminary needs to be weighed down so that it doesn't fall over.If you can't get sand, use kitty litter or pebbles.Aquarium sand will work best.You can buy bags of sand in pet stores.
Step 9: Light the luminary with a tea light or candle.
If you are worried about the bag catching on fire, place a glass jar or votive holder into it first, then place the candle in it.A battery-operated tea light is another option.Don't leave burning unattended.If a luminary tips over, have a bucket of water nearby.
Step 10: It needs to be below freezing outside.
You don't need snow, but you do need cold weather.The ice luminary will melt quickly if the temperature is above freezing.There is a lot of snow on the ground.The luminary will look better.
Step 11: Pick your balloon and fit it over the faucet.
The balloon should be stretched over the spout.If you want a large luminary, use a regular balloon, or a water balloon.
Step 12: When it becomes round, fill the balloon with water.
The bottom of the balloon should be held to the faucet with one hand.When the water is turned on, the balloon stretches and becomes a ball.The amount of balloon you fill is up to you.The bigger your luminary is, the more you fill it.The water needs room to expand as it freezes, so don't overfill the balloon.
Step 13: The balloon and the tail should be removed.
If you haven't already, turn the water off.To remove the tail from the faucet, hold the balloon in your palm and use your other hand.The balloon should be put in the sink with the tail pointing up.Wrap the tail around your finger and pull it through the loop.If you want a colored luminary, add a drop of food coloring to the balloon.You can mix the color by shaking the balloon.
Step 14: The balloon has to be frozen until it becomes solid.
Leave the balloon in the freezer overnight.If you live in a cold climate, you can freeze the balloon outside.The balloon takes a long time to freeze.It will take anywhere from 6 to 12 hours.
Step 15: The balloon is stuck in the frozen ball.
The tail of the knot can be cut with scissors.Remove the balloon from the ice by cutting it in half.When you are done, discard the balloon.When removing a balloon, be careful.There is a chance that the ball isn't completely frozen inside.
Step 16: If you need the ball to be frozen longer, you can.
Water may still be inside your balloon.You will need to freeze your balloon longer if you want a solid ice luminary.If you want a hollow luminary, poke a hole in the ice and drain the excess water.Solid ice luminaries have a softer glow than hollow ones.
Step 17: Make a well in the snow, then light it up with a tea light.
To make a shallow well in the snow, use your fingers or a small jar.Set the tea light into the well.The plastic flame should be below the top of the well.The flame will get in the way of the ice ball if it sticks out.You should make the hole deeper.If you make a hollow luminary, put the tea light on top of the snow.If there is no snow, dig a hole in the soil.The outdoor Christmas lights can also be used.The bigger bulbs will work better than the smaller ones.
Step 18: The luminary should be placed over the tea light.
The luminary should sit on top of the tea light because it is inside the snow.There is no need for a hole in the luminary.If you make a hollow luminary, make sure that you place the opening right over the tea light to make it larger.As they melt, colored lumineers may stain your pavement.
Step 19: You can make a template out of cardstock.
Put a piece of paper in a cone.Cut the bottom to the height you want it to be, then tape or staple it together.Spread the cone along the side edge.You will have a shape similar to a semi-circle.For a large luminary, the cone should be 20 cm tall, for a medium one, 15 cm, and a small one.You can cut out a cone with a pair of scissors or a craft blade if you find a template online.
Step 20: Roll the clay into a sheet of paper.
The clay should be placed on top of the paper.Roll it into a thin sheet with a rolling pin.The sheet should be bigger than the template.Ceramic clay or paper clay will work better than air-drying porcelain clay.You can find them in the clay aisle.It's a good idea to avoid using wax paper.It will stick to the clay, even if it sounds like a good idea.Roll the clay with a set of 8 in (0.32 cm) thick dowels on either side.You won't be able to roll the clay too thin.
Step 21: Transfer your template to clay.
Place the template on the clay sheet.Make sure to cut through the clay by tracing around the template with a craft blade.There is a seam along one of the straight edges of your clay cone.It will be easier to put it together.
Step 22: Wrap the template around the cone.
Wrap your template so that the side edges touch, then secure them with a long strip of tape.If you printed out a template, you should assemble the cone according to the instructions.
Step 23: One of the straight side edges is where you can create a series of crosshatches.
The clay piece should have two straight edges and one curved edge.Pick one of the straight edges and make a series of Xs.You said that it should be no wider than the 8 to4 in (0.32 to 0.64 cm) seam.
Step 24: Wrap the clay around the cone, then dampen and overlap it.
The clay piece should be wrapped around the cone with the scored edge on the outside.Press the other edge down on top of the scored edge using a wet finger or sponge.Just before you press it down, score the other straight edge.The paper should be left inside the cone.You can't take it out until the clay dries.
Step 25: Take the seam and smooth it down.
Use your other hand to smooth the seam while you support the cone from the inside.Run a wet paper towel or wet finger across the seam until it disappears.
Step 26: Use mini cutters to cut designs into a cone.
There is a set of mini cookie cutter or clay cutter that is between the size of your pinkie nail and thumbnail.As you press the cutters into the clay, support the cone from the inside.Before pulling it out of the clay, give the cutter a small wiggle.The paper template doesn't cover the hole.You can cut as many holes as you want.The more you cut, the brighter the light will be.
Step 27: Wait 6 hours, remove the template, then let the clay dry.
The cone needs to be upright in a dry area.After 6 hours, pull the paper template out of the clay cone.Allow the cone to dry.Depending on the type of clay you used, this can take anywhere from 12 to 24 hours.If you are worried about the luminary collapsing as it dries, place a small jar inside.The jar has to be tall enough to reach the top of the cone.As it dries, the clay will become lighter in color.If you use paper clay, it will change from gray to white.
Step 28: The clay luminary can be used with tea lights.
Don't use real tea lights in these.The heat generated by the tea lights can cause porcelain and ceramic clay to crack.The lack of air circulation could cause a fire.They can be painted or glazed for a nicer finish.