If your bag came with handles, cut them off with a pair of scissors. Do not use bags that are made from thick, shiny paper. The light will not pass through them and create that magical glow.
Your design can be as simple as a Jack-o-Lantern face or as intricate as a doily or snowflake. The design needs to be 2 1⁄2 to 3 inches (6. 4 to 7. 6 cm) from the bottom of the bag. Skip this step if you want to use a shaped craft puncher to make your design. [2] X Research source
If you are using a craft hole puncher, slide the bottom half of the puncher into the bag, and place the upper half over the front of the bag.
If you are using a craft hole puncher, press down on the handle to cut out your shape. For a more delicate design, use a hammer and an eyelet setting tool to punch holes around your drawing instead. Space the holes 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 inch (0. 64 to 1. 27 cm) apart. [4] X Research source
Use colored tissue paper to change the color of the glow. A glue stick will work the best for this. You can use regular white glue, but you will need to wait for it to dry.
If you can’t get any sand, use clean kitty litter or small pebbles. [7] X Research source Craft or aquarium sand will work the best. You can purchase bags of this sand in craft stores and pet stores.
Never leave burning luminaries unattended. Have a bucket of water nearby in case a luminary tips over.
Choose a day with lots of snow on the ground. The luminaries will look more magical!
Do not overfill the balloon; the water needs room to expand as it freezes.
If you want a colored luminary, add 1 drop of food coloring to the balloon before you tie it. Shake the balloon after you tie it to mix the color.
How long the balloon takes to freeze depends on how big it is. Expect this to take anywhere from 6 to 12 hours.
Be careful when removing the balloon. The ball may not be completely frozen inside.
Solid ice luminaries have a softer glow than hollow luminaries.
If you make a hollow luminary, set the tea light right on top of the snow instead. If there is no snow outside, dig a hole in the soil instead. You can also use outdoor Christmas lights instead. The ones with the bigger bulbs will work better than the ones with the smaller bulbs.
Be aware that colored luminaries may stain your pavement as they melt.
Make the cone 8 inches (20 cm) tall for a large luminary, 6 inches (15 cm) for a medium one, and 4 inches (10 cm) for a small luminary. Alternatively, you can find a template online for a cone, print it, then cut it out with a pair of scissors or a craft blade.
Air-drying porcelain clay will work the best, but ceramic clay or paper clay will also work. You can find both in the clay aisle of a craft store. Avoid using wax paper. It may sound like a good idea, but it will stick to the clay. Keep a set of 1⁄8 in (0. 32 cm) thick dowels to either side of the clay as you roll it. This will prevent you from rolling the clay too thin.
Leave an 1⁄8 to 1⁄4 in (0. 32 to 0. 64 cm) seam along one of the straight edges of your clay cone. This will make it easier to put it together.
For an even stronger hold, score the other straight edge just before you press it down. Leave the paper inside the cone. You won’t be taking it out until the clay dries.
Don’t worry about the paper template covering the hole. Cut as many holes into the clay as you want to. The more you cut, the more light will shine through!
If you are worried about the luminary collapsing as it dries, place a small jar inside of it. The jar needs to be tall enough to reach the top of the cone without distorting it. The clay will turn lighter in color as it dries. For example, if you used paper clay, it will go from gray to white.
Paint your luminaries or glaze them for a nicer finish.
