| This is really a neat thing to do if you are having a | | | | rotated all the way around it. While you are doing the |
| patio party. The cans really look great if you hang | | | | holes, make sure you make three holes along the top |
| them all around your patio and they pull a double | | | | of the can, preferably evenly spaced. These are the |
| duty if you burn citronella candles in the lanterns. | | | | holes you will use to secure your wire hanger. |
| To complete this project, you will need: | | | | 3. When you're finished making your design on the |
| -Clean can with label removed | | | | can, let the can thaw. To make the hanger, cut three |
| -Old towel | | | | lengths of wire, each at least 12 inches long. Push one |
| -Hammer | | | | end of the wire through a hole in the top of the can, |
| -Large nail | | | | bend the end back up and twist the wire around |
| -Galvanized wire | | | | itself to secure it. Do this with all three wires. |
| -Pliers | | | | 4. Gather the loose ends of all 3 wires together at |
| Steps to Make Lanterns: | | | | the top and twist them together, then bend the |
| 1. First get the label off the can by soaking in hot | | | | twisted trio into a large hook so it looks like the top |
| sudsy water. Then fill the can full of water and place | | | | of a wire hanger. Then secure your candle in the can. |
| in your freezer until the water has frozen solid, | | | | You can use a match to heat the base of the candle |
| usually overnight. Then in the morning, place an old | | | | so that it just barely starts to melt then press it into |
| towel on a firm counter surface. Lay the tin can | | | | the bottom of the can so that it will stick. Or, if you |
| (which is now full of solid ice) on its side on the | | | | have a hot glue gun, you can glue the candle in. |
| towel. | | | | Another option is to put sand in the bottom of the |
| 2. Determine, either in your mind or mark on the can, | | | | can and let that support your candle. |
| the design you want to place on the can. You don't | | | | The can will work well as a nice lantern. If you want, |
| have to get fancy, you can put simple shapes such | | | | you can always paint the can, but that won't affect |
| as crosses and spirals. The important thing is that you | | | | the lantern effect. When the candle is lit, the nail |
| have holes all the way around the can. As you do | | | | holes shine out like stars and a glow emerges from |
| this, hold the point of the nail vertically on the can | | | | the top of the can. The cans look beautiful hanging in |
| and hammer with several hard hits. The ice will | | | | trees around the garden on a summers night. The |
| support the sides of the can and prevent them from | | | | can protects the candle from the wind and the |
| bending and you should be able to make a clean hole. | | | | candles will burn for hours. |
| Continue making holes in the can until you have | | | | |