Excited to share a tutorial today by our friend Sarah showing you how to make this beautiful mushroom mason jar lantern! It can be made using materials that you already have on hand or can obtain easily— a recycled jar, kite or tissue paper and mod podge. Sarah is the co-founder of Chasing Windmills, a sustainable children’s clothing brand who designs the most amazing merino wool children’s apparel and baby essentials. I was introduced to Sarah and her wonderful brand a few years ago during my search for ethical, high quality clothing for E. We have kept in touch ever since, and I have loved supporting her brand and keeping up with her family’s adventures and craft projects. Check out her instructions below. Sarah has also created a free template for the mushroom shapes that can be downloaded below under the material list.

Guest post by Sarah Box of Chasing Windmills / @chasingwindmillskids
Each year, as the weather turns colder and the nights grow longer, we look forward to walking as a family with our homemade lanterns. The Lantern Walk is a Waldorf inspired tradition that occurs each November 11, with the symbolism that we each shine our inner light in the season ahead- spreading our gifts, our light, our community- and illuminating the beauty of our shared goodness. Often, our family will continue to do lantern walks together throughout the winter evenings. It is always a peaceful time, holding the magic of our lanterns and enjoying the quiet of the night.

Our children usually make their lanterns at school, each year bringing home a differently designed lantern. This year, with all of the time together at home, we decided to make our own version- these sweet woodland mushroom lanterns! We have all the different lanterns from years past sprinkled throughout our home, and they are always ready to bring warmth and beauty to the season.

Materials:

– cleaned and repurposed jar
– kite paper or plain tissue paper (1 piece of red, 1 piece of white)
– mod podge matte or plain school glue (diluted a bit with water).
– pencil and paper
– soft brush
– 1/16″ hole punch (or other small sized hole punch) for the mushroom spots
– yarn or twine
– scissors

How to Make a Recycled Jar Mushroom Lantern

Step 1: How to create the mushroom cutouts

Download the pattern for the mushroom shapes above and print at 100% scale, or draw your own pattern with a pencil and paper. I opted to do varied shapes and sizes, and imperfections always add character! Trace your designs onto your kite paper.

Step 2: How to create the mushroom spots

Cut out and arrange your mushroom tops and stems in order of how you would like to place them around your jar. Use a tiny hole punch to punch out your dots on the mushroom tops. I’m using a hole punch that is 1/16″.

Step 3: How to attach the mushrooms

Apply a thin layer of mod podge (or diluted glue) to one side of your jar, and stick on your mushroom top and stem

Step 4: How to finish the mushroom lantern

Continue working around your jar, applying mod podge/glue and sticking on the mushrooms in order, trying your best to smooth out any wrinkles. Once you have worked your way around the jar, let it dry for 20-30 minutes. Apply another coat on top of your mushrooms, and let stand to dry completely.

Step 5: How to create a yarn handle

To make a handle, you can use sturdy twine, or here we finger-knit some yarn. The completed length of our finger knitting was about 27 inches.

Step 6: How to attach the yarn handle

Once your jar is completely dry, wrap your handle around the top and pull tightly and double knot on one side to secure. Weave other end through opposite side of jar, and secure with a double knot. Add a tea light candle and enjoy the warmth and magic!

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