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Making your own Japanese lantern, using recycled molds and quick-dry cement, is a simple and rewarding project that will illuminate your garden for years to come.
Materials:
Pre-existing molds (from top of lantern: tea cup, large soup bowl, square plastic container, 9 ½" spring form pan, 8" spring form pan)
One 8-12oz. recycled milk carton
Sand
Liquid latex
Topping mix quick-dry cement (sand and concrete)
Tools:
Paint brush
Small bowl for liquid latex
Bucket to mix cement
Container for water
Trowel for mixing
Flat cement trowel
Edge
Gloves
Directions:
1. Prep molds with three coats of liquid latex, following manufacturer's directions and allowing for drying time between coats.
2. Mix topping mix with water to create a mixture that is not sloppy but moist enough to stick together.
3. Scoop cement into molds one at a time. Knock molds on hard surface to allow bubbles to escape.
4. To make mold that houses candle, fill milk carton with sand, for weight and structure, and place in center of plastic container mold. Pour cement around carton, filling to desired height.
5. Allow molds to stand 12-20 hours, depending on climate and mix. Mold should be hard, but surface should appear moist.
6. Wearing gloves, remove cement from mold and smooth out the surfaces using metal brush, where necessary.
7. To remove milk carton from square mold, remove sand from carton, collapse carton still in place and slowly slide carton out of square mold. Once removed, check bottom of mold for small layer of cement in the hole. Using an edge, cut out excess cement layer and discard. Loosen side and slip out finished cement piece, being careful not to pull from fragile center. Let dry another 12 hours.
8. Place cement shapes in desired design.
Special Thanks:
Asher Schofield and Frog and Toad
795 Hope St
Providence, RI 02906
(401) 831-3434