Tissue Paper Flower Lights

Hey everybody! 

Today's project is seriously the coolest thing I've ever made! This craft is a small homey lamp that is made out of tissue paper and a stem with LED lights. It's the highlight of my dorm room, and I think I may even make more as centerpieces for my wedding.

Here's how you can make your own...
Materials:

1. Tissue paper (Preferably 2 colors)
2. Green or brown floral tape (One roll of this was more than enough)
3. Stem with LED lights
4. Scissors
5. A vase that's tall enough to hold your flowers (these are cheap at the Dollar Tree or Walmart)
6. Vase gems
7. Batteries
8. Craft glue (tacky glue works really well)
9. Clear tape

How to:

1. Wrap the flower tape around the stems to make it look more natural.

2. Tear or cut off the wrap when finished.
3. Cut the tissue paper into 2X2 inch  squares with two layers of each color per square.

4. Cut rounded edges in big waves along the upper edge of each square so that it looks more flower-like.
5. Glue the edges of each layer together on top of one another and let dry so that they are all connected.
6. Fold each rounded square of four layers into a cone flower bud around each light on the stems.
7. Glue in place and let dry.
8. Repeat steps 2-7 until you have a bud on each light.
9. Allow to dry for a few hours (I left mine over night).
10. Put batteries into the batter pack and then use the clear tape to adhere them to the stem of the flowers. This should be done so that the switch on the battery pack is facing up and will be barely covered by the beads that you will put in the vase.
11. Place the stem in the vase and fill around the stem with stones/beads until you've hidden the battery pack.
12. Flip the switch and you have a very cozy light!

It should also be noted that there is a way to wrap a string of LED lights onto a small tree branch if you can't find a pre-made stem like mine. All you have to do is collect a small tree limb in the shape of your choosing and wrap LED lights around it. Then, wrap the floral tape around both the string of lights and the stem without covering the light bulbs so that they hold together. After that, proceed as described in the above instructions.

Enjoy your lights! They're bound to grab the attention and admiration of anyone who sees them. Plus, their soft glow is calming during stressful times like finals week. I'm getting good use out of mine with all of the time I'm spending studying!

Until next time, peace out!
Kristen