Summer maple-leaf lanterns

Hands-on time: Less than three hours.
Total time: Add drying time for the clay, waterproofing agent and silicone adhesive.
Skill: Moderate.
Project cost: Less than $25.

Materials and Tools

• Three tall cylindrical clear glasses
• Four votive glasses
• Natural red non-firing (no bake) clay by Gedeo
• Rolling pin or clay roller
• Knife
• Clay tools
• Ruler
• Bowl of water
• Maple-leaf cookie cutter (available at cookware stores)
• A few real maple leaves (to make imprints on the clay leaves)
• Large empty bottle wrapped in Cellophane
• Damp cloth and a clean cloth
• Ceramic undercoat by Pébéo
• Ceramic glaze by Pébéo
• 2.5cm paintbrush
• Clear silicone adhesive
• Tea lights and votive candles
• Three decorative plates

Why not celebrate Canada Day by showing off our maple leaves with pride and making festive lanterns?

The lanterns' maple-leaf shapes are fashioned out of clay, decorated with imprints from actual leaves and then placed around plain glassware and votive holders for a spectacular glow. Make it a family activity and get the kids involved.

Wash the glassware with soapy water, rinse and towel dry.

On a clean surface, like a plastic placemat, cut the clay brick into three equal parts. With clean hands, knead one part until it is soft and smooth. With a rolling pin, roll out the clay into a circle 30cm in diameter, about 5mm thick.

Use a knife to cut one strip 7.5cm wide, long enough to match the circumference of your glassware.

Use the cookie cutter to cut maple-leaf shapes from the strip. Add texture to the strips and the leaf shapes by pressing real leaves into the clay for a few seconds.

Roll the strip onto the bottom half of a tall glass, bonding the seam with water on your fingertip. Bend the clay leaves to take the shape of the glasses and votive holders.

Knead another section of clay, and repeat the above steps.

Knead the last section of clay and make a larger, wider lantern band by following the steps above, only make the strip bigger and roll it around a larger bottle wrapped with Cellophane.

Cover your work with a slightly damp cloth to avoid cracks. Set aside to dry for 10 to 12 hours.

Apply ceramic undercoat to all the clay pieces and let dry. Apply a topcoat of glaze and allow drying. Clean the glasses again after applying the glaze, if needed.

Apply clear silicone adhesive to the back of the clay leaves, and gently press them into place around the glasses and votive holders. Let cure for six to eight hours.

Place the lanterns on decorative plates, and simply add candles to enjoy a festive glow throughout the whole summer season.

Tips

• If you can't find a maple-leaf cookie cutter, you can use a stencil with a maple leaf cut-out as your guide.