Pressed Flower Lanterns
Using pressed flowers to make pressed flower lanterns is an easy summer craft that you can make and enjoy it all year round. The pressed flower lanterns provide a soft glow that will add a bit of elegance to your home decor, to give as a gift idea, make with your children for fairy lanterns, or to use as a centerpiece for a summer wedding.
Beautiful Pressed Flower Lanterns
Using pressed flowers to make a gorgeous candle holder is a fun yet simple project you can make during the summer months, when all of the beautiful flowers are in bloom. By making this project, you get to preserve the flowers all year long to enjoy.
These flower jar lanterns are perfect to add a little something to your indoor decorative use, by bringing the loveliness inside to enjoy the beauty of summer flowers year after year. There are many different ways you can use pressed flowers to decorate the lanterns.
You can simply use small pressed flowers and scatter them on the jar, or you can use them to make a fun garden scape. No matter what specific way you decide to use your pressed flowers, this is a wonderful way to bring a bit of the outside indoors, and enjoy it all year long.
I am so excited to walk you through the step by step instructions to make these beautiful pressed flower jar lanterns. They are easy to make, and are a fun craft that you might even enjoy making with your kids this summer. Let’s get started by looking at what you need to make these.
Pressed Flower Craft
Supplies:
A glass jar – You can use mason jars if you want, but it is going to work best if you can find a jar without any writing or design on it.
Tea light candles or votive candle – One for each jar. You can also use a small string of battery operated christmas lights if you prefer.
A bit of mod podge
Parchment paper or wax paper
Several heavy books
Scissors
A paint brush
How to Make Pressed Flower Lanterns
Pick Your Flowers
I like to press my own flowers, and that starts with picking them. Keep in mind, if you don’t have a source for flowers, you can also order them online.
When choosing the flowers you want to cut, it is my preference to look for flowers in a variety of colors, and in smaller sizes, so that they don’t overtake my jar.
You can use whatever flower combination you prefer, just make sure that the flowers themselves are small enough to fit on the side of your jar.
Also remember that it is better to press and dry more flowers than you think you will need, just in case something happens to them, you will have extras.
When you cut the flowers, you don’t need a stem. If you do have a stem to the flower, I like to cut this off before pressing just the flowers.
Pressing Flowers
To press flowers, you will want to first prepare the flowers by removing any unnecessary parts of the cut flower such as the stem.
Then, lay parchment paper, or wax paper on a flat clean surface, where the flowers can be left for a while.
Lay the flowers out, face down on the paper. Carefully fold the paper over the top of the flowers, and then place several heavy books on top to press the flowers.
Let them sit for at least 24 hours, or until the flowers are completely pressed and dried.
Add Pressed Flowers to Jar
When your flowers are flat, and have dried, you can start to make the pressed flower lanterns.
To do this, you will want to take a paint brush, modge podge, and glass jar to your work surface. Then determine how you want the dried flowers to be arranged.
When you are ready, take your paint brush, and paint the outer surface of the jar with the modge podge. Pain the area approximately the size of your dried flower you are adding.
Carefully pressed the dried flower in place. Let it set until dry.
Repeat these steps with each of the flowers you add to the jar.
Sealing Pressed Flowers
To finish out your project, after the flowers have completely dried in place, add a coat of mod podge on the outside of the flowers to seal them in place. Let the pressed flower jar lantern completely dry.
Tip: If desired, you can also add glitter or a thin layer of tissue paper for additional effect to your jar if desired.
Tie the twine
When your jar is completely sealed and dried, you can add finishing touches such as tying some hemp or twine around the top to finish it out.
Now your pressed flower lantern is ready to be used by adding a candle or lights, then enjoy your beautiful creation!
Helpful Tips and Tricks
What type of glue works best for pressed flowers?
The best type of glue to use is modge podge. This way you can easily stick the pressed flowers to the jar without messing up the flower. Then after it is stuck, you can seal the flowers with additional modge podge.
What type of candle should I use?
There are many different types of candles to choose from. One of my favorite options is to use battery-operated candles. Or you can use tea-light candles, or even a small sting of battery operated white lights. It’s entirely up to your preference as to which type of candle or light you choose to use.
Using recycled jars
Another great idea when making these pressed flower lanterns is to use old candle holders as your jar for this project. That way you are recycling the used jars, and giving it a new beautiful purpose.
FAQs
Where can I buy pressed flowers?
There are many places online where you can buy pressed flowers if needed. Some ideas include Amazon, and Etsy. Be sure to check out different places, and see which options are the best for you.
Can I press my own flowers?
Yes! You can easily press your own flowers. This is my all time favorite option. I love this option because you can choose which specific flowers catch your eye, and select from a variety of colors. If you have flowers in your yard, be sure to take a walk and pick several options. However, if you don’t have flowers of your own to choose from, you can always take a drive down a country road and pick some wildflowers that grow along the roadside. Just be mindful of what you are choosing.
What type of jar is best?
The best type of jar to use is a jar that does not have any writing or designs on the side. Unfortunately many mason jars have embossed writing or designs on the side, and this will interfere with your pressed flowers. If possible choose a jar with a smooth glass side.
Can I hang my pressed flower lantern?
Yes, if you want to, you can hang your pressed flower lantern after it is completely finished and has fully dried. This is going to work best if your jar has holes in the side, but can still be done if it doesn’t.
Hanging Dried Flower Candle Jars
There are two main ways you can hang your jars, and that is with twine, or with wire. The best way to hang pressed flower lanterns is if you have a jar with holes in it, but it can be done if the jar does not.
Hanging jars with Twine
When you are hanging jars with twine, the first step is to make sure you have plenty of twine tied around the mouth of the jar. Then create a hanging loop from both sides, of the jar to hold it firmly. Another option would be to use the twine to make a macrame hanger for your jar.
Hanging jars with Wire
To hang jar with wire, you will want to wrap the wire around the mouth of the jar a couple of times, then twist it at the sides before making your hanging loop, and twisting it together to form the wire hanging loop.
Keep in mind the easiest way to hang your lanterns is going to be if you have jars with hangers already, but you can add your own if desired.
Magical Pressed Flower Lanterns
Making these easy pressed flower lanterns is a fun summertime project that you can make, and enjoy all year round. You can enjoy the light candles in the beautiful lanterns for many occasions, or simply as an added feature to your home decorations. These are fun craft project you can make by yourself, or with your kids.
Thank you so much for stopping by to check out my tutorial on how to make these fun pressed flower lanterns. I enjoyed making this project so much, and I hope you will too!
Happy Crafting!
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Pressed Flower Lanterns
Materials
- A glass jar - You can use mason jars if you want, but it is going to work best if you can find a jar without any writing or design on it.
- Tea light candles or votive candle - One for each jar. You can also use a small string of battery operated christmas lights if you prefer.
- A bit of mod podge
- Parchment paper or wax paper
- Several heavy books
- Scissors
- A paint brush
Instructions
- I like to press my own flowers, and that starts with picking them. Keep in mind, if you don’t have a source for flowers, you can also order them online.
- When choosing the flowers you want to cut, it is my preference to look for flowers in a variety of colors, and in smaller sizes, so that they don’t overtake my jar.
- You can use whatever flower combination you prefer, just make sure that the flowers themselves are small enough to fit on the side of your jar.
- Also remember that it is better to press and dry more flowers than you think you will need, just in case something happens to them, you will have extras.
- When you cut the flowers, you don’t need a stem. If you do have a stem to the flower, I like to cut this off before pressing just the flowers.
- To press flowers, you will want to first prepare the flowers by removing any unnecessary parts of the cut flower such as the stem.
- Then, lay parchment paper, or wax paper on a flat clean surface, where the flowers can be left for a while.
- Lay the flowers out, face down on the paper. Carefully fold the paper over the top of the flowers, and then place several heavy books on top to press the flowers.
- Let them sit for at least 24 hours, or until the flowers are completely pressed and dried.
- When your flowers are flat, and have dried, you can start to make the pressed flower lanterns.
- To do this, you will want to take a paint brush, modge podge, and glass jar to your work surface. Then determine how you want the dried flowers to be arranged.
- When you are ready, take your paint brush, and paint the outer surface of the jar with the modge podge. Pain the area approximately the size of your dried flower you are adding.
- Carefully pressed the dried flower in place. Let it set until dry.
- Repeat these steps with each of the flowers you add to the jar.
- To finish out your project, after the flowers have completely dried in place, add a coat of mod podge on the outside of the flowers to seal them in place. Let the pressed flower jar lantern completely dry.
- Tip: If desired, you can also add glitter or a thin layer of tissue paper for additional effect to your jar if desired.
- When your jar is completely sealed and dried, you can add finishing touches such as tying some hemp or twine around the top to finish it out.
- Now your pressed flower lantern is ready to be used by adding a candle or lights, then enjoy your beautiful creation!
Pick Your Flowers
Pressing Flowers
Add Pressed Flowers to Jar
Sealing Pressed Flowers
Tie the Twine
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