Tinkerbell’s Lantern DIY

As part of our Second Anual Family Halloween Costumes this year I had to make Jane (going as Tinkerbell) a bucket to collect her candy in. Obviously, it was going to have to look like Tinkerbell’s lantern! It was an easy project with amazing results! Here’s a quick walkthrough of how I made it.

Tinkerbell's lantern, painted fairy shoes, and peter pan's hat

I actually started with a previous project.

If you’ve been around a while, you’ll remember in one of my earliest posts I made Picture Frame Centerpieces. They were so cute and have held up incredibly well. But now, after sitting in my home for 2 years it was time to move on to better things. And I have to admit, this is so so much better!

If you’re planning to make a Tinkerbell lantern, go check out that post first and then come back here afterward. You can follow all of the steps, only leave out the window film and wait to put the glass panes back in. And you might as well not do that final coat of paint yet either.

This is what I was working with.

The Glass Panes

I was able to pop the panes out surprisingly easily and peel the window film right off.

I wanted the glass for the lantern to appear arched so I used a coaster (a drinking glass or other round object will also work) to trace a half-circle at the top and paint it black. I just used acrylic paints for the whole project, nothing fancy. But you could totally use glass paint for a more durable finish.

Tinkerbell's lantern painting black arches on 4 glass panes

After giving them an arch, I wanted the lantern to look kinda foggy, or sooty if you will. I accomplished that with some gray paint on the opposite side of the glass. I very lightly brushed it a few times over, so you could still see through it.

Once that was dry, I returned to the front of the glass and used glossy decoupage glue to add some glitter and sparkly stars. Gotta make it look like it’s for a fairy! I gave each whole pane a final coat with that glossy glue for extra measure.

The Frames

Set all 4 panes aside and let’s work on the frames.

In the original project, I left the base of the centerpiece open but for a bucket, it needs a bottom. I used some heavy-duty cardboard leftover from another project, but a thin piece of wood would work as well.

I just traced around the frames, squared the corners, and cut it out with an Exacto knife.

After sanding the bottom of the frames, I used wood glue to attach the square. I also used wood glue to attach 4 wooden beads (one on each corner) to the bottom of the cardboard to act as little feet.

I finished up my alterations by drilling 2 holes in the center top of two frames for a handle. Sand away any roughness.

tinkerbells lantern glueing on the bottom

tinkerbell's lantern gluing on the bottom

The Handle

A coat hanger and more wooden beads were perfect for the handle. I did use wood glue to attach the beads together, but it honestly wasn’t worth the effort because they just came apart throughout the evening. It’s not even necessary as long as the bend in the wire is angled enough that the beads stay at the top.

Paint It

I gave every bit of wood a fresh coat of paint and applied some of that glossy decoupage glue to make it all look a little more metallic. A flat-finish Tinkerbell’s lantern is no fun at all.

I also gave my coaster a makeover and wooden feet when I got bored waiting between coats of paint.

Attach the Handle

I slipped the wire handle through those drilled holes and used pliers to bend each side into place.

Final Step!

All that’s left to do is put the glass panes back in!

No lie, I used a hot glue gun. I put a thin strip of hot glue along each wooden lip and set the glass in place. Then I used more hot glue across the inside edges of the glass to ensure they wouldn’t pop off. It’s okay if it’s messy. It’s all on the inside, no one will know.

Tinkerbell’s Lantern

The lantern came out so cute and it’s the perfect size for Jane to carry around!

This was not her first Halloween, but it WAS her first time Trick-or-Treating. She had a lot of fun walking around our little neighborhood. I think, in total, she collected about 4 pieces of candy lol but a toddler doesn’t need it anyway! She was happy just walking around and seeing everyone’s decorations.

Tinkerbell’s lantern totally topped off her costume!

I found a battery-op, color-changing, light to put in it. Super cute and will be really neat in the house as a little lamp.

Now go check out THIS POST and see how I made her Tinkerbell costume!