Tissue Paper Fruit Lights

Try to make these fruit lights and discover that they are easy to make and pretty to look at.

All About

Product Ideas

Materials and Tools:

small round balloons
10-light strand of tiny white lights
petroleum jelly
assorted tissue paper (pastels preferred)
decoupage medium*
sponge brush
ornament hooks
pin
optional: tomato cage for drying

* Mary used sparkle decoupage medium. So did we.

Steps:

1. Blow up 10 balloons to about 2-1/2 inches in diameter. Tie ends off.

2. Tear tissue paper into small strips approximately 1" x 3". They do not need to be exactly alike. You will need about 30 strips per balloon.

3. Put an ornament hook through the tied end of the balloon, being careful not to puncture the balloon.

4. Rub the balloon with a very light coat of petroleum jelly to make removing the paper from the balloon easier.

5. Lay strips of tissue paper on balloon, painting each layer with a light coating of (sparkle) decoupage medium. Completely cover the balloon with each layer, overlapping the strips until you’ve use all 30 strips or until the balloon is sufficiently covered with several layers of the paper.

6. Hang balloon on tomato cage to dry overnight.

7. When dry, puncture balloon with a pin. It might collapse a little as the balloon is being deflated. Don’t worry. Simply blow it back up after you have removed the balloon.

8. Place one "fruit light" on each tiny white light. You may have to make the opening bigger on some. If the opening is too large, cover the hole with another layer of tissue paper using the decoupage medium. When dry, carefully cut a hole for the light to fit through.