DIY LED lights for Paper Lanterns

[San Fran Sarah]

I found this DIY project that I am pretty excited about. I'm going to make LED "throwies" to put inside chinese paper lanterns. This saves the hassle of dealing with electrical wiring. All you do is make these little throwies, attach then to the inside of your lanterns with clips or string, and then you can hang your lanterns with fishing wire. It can also save a bunch of money because the individual LED lights for lanterns are like $3 each. I just ordered my supplies (LED lights, batteries) I'll report back when I have finished the project. Here is two links that explain everything:

LED Throwies

If Only I Had Majored In Event Lighting Instead of Biology Weddingbee The Wedding Blog

A few hints I've found on the web:

--10 mm diffused LED lights are supposed to make a warmer "real light"

--3 LED lights per average sized lantern (12-16") works best

--you can make an "on/off" switch with a piece of paper (see instructions)

--the magnets aren't necessary unless you are planning on attaching them to a metal surface.

---With the on/off switch, they tended to flicker a little because the tape isn't tight enough after "switched" on. If you put a binder clip over them it keeps them tightly together (see pic below)

 

 

 

Now I just need to decide whether to use all white lanterns or colored lanterns (like the two pictures above). What do you all think? Are the colored lanterns going to look too cotton candy/ kids party during the day?

[Erin6341]

Wow! This is an ambitious project, but I can't wait to see how it turns out. I personally like the all white look because of the classy elegance it exudes. Good Luck!

[GarlicBride]

this is a wonderful idea and so cheap! Thanks so much for posting this - I have saved all the webpages!

Hannah

[Jacilynda]

I think it depends on your reception location. we are mixing color inside our palapa, but i think all white looks great for a beach reception. thanks i'm probably going to do this.

[Jacilynda]

I'm not doing the magnets, but i just bought 100 10mm led lights for $13.99 on ebay and 100 batteries for $16.50. that includes shipping, not bad

[jam8x2]

I am really interested in these, I will for sure be looking into these. Great idea!

[Jacilynda]

Hey girls so as I mentioned before I spent $30 on 100 leds and the batteries (also included shipping). So tonight i put 2 leds together and put them inside a 14" lantern. here's a pic!

 

 

I really only think you need 2 lights, not 3. And maybe only 1 for 8" or 10" lanterns.

[Erin6341]

Those look great!

[San Fran Sarah]

Jacilynda--thanks for the helpful hints. I bought my LEDs and batteries but I haven't gotten around to making them yet. Did you only need 1 battery for each lantern or did you need 1 battery for each LED?

Did you try the on/off switch?

[DanielleNDerek]

those look great.