Fairy lights have one problem. At night, they create atmosphere. During the day, they look like a cable someone forgot to put away. So we decided to dress them up a little.
Each light gets its own Japanese paper lily. White paper, a few folds, and suddenly an ordinary string of lights looks as though it’s just come back from a very successful semester in Tokyo.
You can make the lilies white, colourful, from decorative paper or even from newspaper.
We tried it.
The Guardian as haute couture for a light bulb works surprisingly well.
And after dark?
Switch them on and let the paper lilies do the rest.
Because even a naked light bulb has its dignity.
Materials: regular white printer paper (sheets of 15 x 15 cm),
lighting chain (the LED one is the best)
Tips
- If one of the pictures isn’t entirely clear, check the next one to see what the fold should look like.
- To fit the lily over the light, you’ll need to cut off the very tip of the flower. Make only a small opening, so the flower fits snugly around the bulb. If necessary, secure it with a little tape. Ours stay in place without it.
- Although fairy lights are generally safe to use, don’t leave them switched on overnight or when you leave the house.
It may be a good idea to test other types of paper as well, such as here where we made the lilies out of newspaper. A simple sheet of paper can turn this string of origami lilies into an amazing object, attractive garland by day and illuminating fairy lights by night.
To create something original, which will please both soul and body, you need not only a good plan but also an interesting idea. Are you ready for the next challenge?
This time it will be made of cardboard.
