DIY Lantern with Pressed Fern Leaves

This DIY Lantern craft with pressed fern leaves is easy to create and makes a fun light to carry when camping or a simple way to light your walkway.

There's something really beautiful about ferns. Today I'm sharing a complete tutorial for a fun craft that uses ferns to decorate a mason jar that's turned into a lantern.

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How to Make a Mason Jar Lantern

This DIY lantern has a handle so you can carry it in the dark. And because the ferns are on the inside you need to use a flameless or electric candle.

Supplies

• 1 pint mason jar
• ferns
• mod podge or other clear drying glue
• paper towels
• wire for handle
• battery operated tea light
• velcro dot

Start by cutting some ferns. Then compare them to the height of the mason jar to see just how much you need to use.

Next, you need to press and dry the ferns. You can do this with a flower press or an old phone book. However, to save time I used the microwave.

How to Press Ferns in the Microwave

Place the fern or plant material between two pieces of paper towel and weigh it down with a microwave safe pan.

Start with 50% power for 30 seconds to a minute. Then check to see if it's dry and flat. Continue until the ferns are flat and fairly dry.

Now you can add some clear drying glue such as Mod Podge or Elmer's to the front of the fern.

Next, adhere the fern to the inside wall of the glass jar. Use a pencil to help guide the fern in place. Continue with the rest of the ferns until the inside is covered as much as you like.

Next, create a handle with some wire. I used some plastic coated wire I had in my craft stash but any wire will do.

Begin by wrapping some wire around the neck of the jar. Leave it a little loose to start.

This way you will have some extra room to add a piece of wire for the handle. I used about 12 inches of wire and created a loop with needlenose pliers over the base wire on one side and attached the other end of the wire using another loop on the other side.

Then you can cut and tighten the base wire so it will not come off.

Inside the lid place a velcro dot. Then place the corresponding dot on the bottom of the flameless tealight.

This way you can easily remove the tealight to reach the on/off switch.

Switch the light switch on and screw the lid back onto the mason jar and you have a beautiful lantern to carry wherever you need light.

Make it a part of your outdoor home decor by setting a few of them on your deck, walkway, or front porch.