Making Lights from Tissue Paper

Posted on Jun 10, 2013

Packing away Christmas lights is always a chore, so why not just put them in the trash? Only instead of sending them to a landfill, you’ll make this cool wastepaper basket light! It’s a piece of cake to make, and when Christmastime comes again, you won’t have to rummage in the attic for the lights, you can just rummage through the trash. Materials: - Scissors - A string of white LED lights (24 lights or more) - Colored tissue paper - Ruler - Clear tape - Wire wastepaper basket - Hot glue gun and glue sticks Also see: <a href="http://www.craftfoxes.com/projects/tin-can-tiki-lamps">Tin Can Tiki Lamps</a> <a href="http://www.craftfoxes.com/how_tos/paper-lantern-string-lights">Paper Lantern String Lights</a> <a href="http://www.craftfoxes.com/projects/diy-recycled-tin-can-flower-pots">DIY Recycled Tin Can Flower Pots</a> <a href="http://www.craftfoxes.com/blog/making-lights-out-of-things-you-d-never-expect">Making Lights out of things you'd never expect!</a>

Step 1

Cut or tear the tissue paper into approximately 9" x 11" (230 mm x 280 mm) pieces.

Step 2

Loosely crumple each rectangle around an LED light.

Step 3

Embed small loops of tape in the crumpled balls to prevent them from springing open.

Step 4

Lower the LED string into the wire basket, zigzagging the wire. (Note: For shorter strings, pile them only on one side of the basket. Fill the space behind the crumpled tissue paper.)

Step 5

Secure the wire to the edge of the basket with hot glue. Switch the lights on and marvel at your trashy lights! (Note: Always switch off all lights when you leave a room.)

Step 6

This project is excerpted with permission from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0761171479/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0761171479&linkCode=as2&tag=craftfocom-20">"Made by Dad: 67 Blueprints for Making Cool Stuff"</a> by Scott Bedford and published by Workman.