I’m not sure if I keep finding the lanterns or if the lanterns keep finding me. But here we are again, with another thrifted lantern project. Given that it’s still October, I’m going with a spooky lantern theme- even though I’ve made a couple of Halloween lantern projects already. Because lanterns keep crossing my path while I’m thrifting, including this recent acquisition from Habitat ReStore.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
So, the first Halloween lantern project that I made incorporated a wooden candle lantern. Which, in and of itself makes that project a little different from this one.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
And the second lantern project wasn’t actually a light-up project. But it used almost the exact same black metal lantern that I found this time!
But I upcycled that lantern into a Halloween terrarium, complete with faux carnivorous plants and the bones of their victims!
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
This time, I’m sticking closer to a traditional lantern use but turning it into a spooky spider web decoration at the same time! So, let’s get right to it.
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Cleaning Up the Spooky Lantern
While I appreciate that someone donated this lantern so that I could thrift it, I didn’t love that they taped the glass inside. With strong, stubborn foam tape.
So, my husband offered to work on getting the glass panes out. First, he used a heat gun to soften the adhesive and loosen it up. Then, he used a plastic razor blade as a lever between the glass and the metal lantern frame.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Eventually, all the glass panes were removed and I set forth to clean everything up!
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
I used the same plastic razor blade to remove as much as the foam tape as I could. I followed that up with some Goof-off to remove any remaining stickum.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
By the way, these plastic razor blades are EXCELLENT at removing price tags!
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Anyway, after I was done cleaning the glass panes, I wiped down the metal lantern with a damp cloth. Then, I took it outside to spray paint it black because it had faded so badly over time.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Adding the Spider Web Decoration
Two light coats of a satin black spray paint and freshly Windexed glass panes later, my spooky lantern was ready to get spider-webbed!
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
But, probably not in the way you’re thinking.
In my original Halloween lantern project, I made panel inserts (of sorts) so that the decoration was removable. And I planned to do something similar here, but with Halloween fabric instead.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
The spider web fabric was sheer (which I wanted) but almost gossamer. In other words, soft and collapsible- not ideal for lantern panels. So, I also purchased some thin fusible interfacing, as well.
First, I cut out rectangles of Halloween fabric and interfacing that were slightly larger than the glass panes (about ½” larger on each side). Then, I followed the product instructions to fuse the interfacing to the wrong sides of the fabric using my iron. After that, I trimmed the oversized panels to the same size as the glass panes using my rotary cutter and cutting mat.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Lastly, it was time to assemble my spooky lantern and spider web decoration. So, I simply slid the glass panes and fabric panels back into the slots.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Ready to see how it looks…especially after dark?
Spider Web Decoration in a Spooky Lantern
Here it is, all assembled and ready to go once the sun goes down. Doesn’t it look great, even in the daylight?
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Before it got too dark, I slipped my favorite rechargeable lantern inside my spooky lantern. Finally, it started getting dark enough to turn it on.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
SO GOOD, right?? I love the spider web look without using stringy faux webs or creepy plastic spiders. One-dimensional spiders sewn into fabric are good enough for me, thank you very much.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
And because these are removable fabric panels, my spooky lantern is quite easily de-spookified for the rest of the year! Just think of how many fabric panels you could make to switch and swap out throughout the year.
For some more lantern-esque Halloween inspiration, check out this porch decor I made with outdoor candle lanterns! An old neighbor of ours put them out by the curb and we snapped them up for this project.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Thank you for humoring me with one more upcycled Halloween project this year! But I promise this is the last one…until next year, of course…
Craft on!
S
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Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Sarah Ramberg is the owner of Sadie Seasongoods, a website that celebrates all things secondhand. From upcycling ideas and thrifted decor to vintage-centric travel itineraries, Sadie Seasongoods is a one-stop shop for anyone who loves thrifting and approachable repurposing ideas. Sarah is also the author of “Crafting with Flannel” and has been featured in numerous media outlets and magazines.
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