DIY: Non-Electric Lanterns
January 16, 2012
This is a super easy DIY for multiple occasions! Just break open some glow sticks, dump them into an empty jar, close with a lid, and shake them up!
This is great to use:
- for your kids’ sleepovers: use them as night lights and save on the electric bill, or use them as a safer option to lamps that tend to get hot throughout the night. the kids will be fascinated by your creativity!
- for the outdoor get-to-gether: string many of them up or scatter them throughout tables and use them as colorful lanterns to create an intimate and special mood during the night. you can also use a black sharpie and draw on fireflies or other little pictures so they stand out against the glow!
- for the “grown up” party: instead of mason jars, try empty liquor bottles! Use a lot of different colored glow sticks and you can have your own mini rage party inside your house.
- for the romantic indoor date: if you want to be romantic but think lighting up 50 candles in your house will probably cause a fire, take the safer route and cover the room with interesting looking vases and jars. keep that romantic mood by using only white glow sticks so they give off the candle-lit vibe.
peace of cake!
Tags: candles, DIY, kids, lantern, lights, mason jars, party, peace chung
February 8th, 2012 at 10:03 PM
Is it safe to open them? How do you open them? Should I use gloves?
February 8th, 2012 at 10:23 PM
Either wear latex or plastic gloves and use a scissor to open up a glow stick. As long as you don’t ingest it, you are fine! I only suggest using gloves because if it gets on your hands and you later touch your face, you could be accidentally ingesting some of the chemical compounds. If you don’t use gloves, just make sure you wash your hands. Some people with sensitive skin may experience some irritation in the skin, but I’ve never experienced it.
It’s the same logic as not letting a baby ingest it– it’s not edible, therefore, you wouldn’t eat it!
February 8th, 2012 at 11:31 PM
*rage* party? gonna need some chainsaws and salt, too, for that.
February 9th, 2012 at 1:02 AM
Oh.my.God. this is so freaking COOL!!!
It seriously makes me want to wake up my 5 year old and make a dollar store run.
February 9th, 2012 at 3:00 AM
Yeah DO NOT get the stuff in your eyes – its very very painful!
February 9th, 2012 at 10:47 AM
Yes, definitely keep away from eyes, mouth, and other open areas– it’s not “water”!
February 9th, 2012 at 7:06 AM
Glowsticks are activated by breaking a small glass vial inside the stick. This vial keeps the chemicals separate until you want them to mix and make light.
When you’re extracting the glow juice, be careful of the glass bits.
February 9th, 2012 at 1:45 PM
let’s say you make these in vases, etc – will it wash out afterwards? thanks.
February 9th, 2012 at 4:08 PM
Yes, just hand wash it after with dish soap and it should be fine (just treat it as if it’s food residue from last night’s dinner)!
February 9th, 2012 at 6:20 PM
There is glass in each glow stick so don’t pour it into your hands and then wipe your face or you could cut yourself.
A small glass container filled with one chemical is broken when you bend the tube to activate it into the other chemical which makes the stuff glow.
February 9th, 2012 at 10:44 PM
But how long does it last?
February 11th, 2012 at 8:52 PM
A few hours! It’ll be handy to not use up all the glow sticks up at once. But it’s perfect length if it’s for your kids’ sleepovers– their rooms will darken after they’ve already fallen asleep!
February 12th, 2012 at 1:20 AM
Omg… Mini Rage party? Genius!
February 13th, 2012 at 3:52 PM
I tried this, and it looked neat, but the stuff didn’t stick to the inside of the jar for very long (I used a mason jar). Instead, the stuff would pool to the bottom of the jar after a few minutes. Any idea what I did wrong?
February 17th, 2012 at 1:29 AM
Did you make sure to shake up the jar(s)? You can also try using a wide brush on the inside of the glass so it sticks better.
Sometimes, it’s also the quality of the glow sticks that you use!
February 19th, 2012 at 1:22 AM
Hi, you mentioned opening the glowstick with sissors, how do you keep the glass from getting out of the glowstick and into your jar? I’ve tried it twice two different ways and still had glass in the jar which kinda mucked up the effect.
Thanks
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:09 PM
Try using one of those small strainers like this: http://www.chinawholesalegift.com/pic/Family-Product/Tea%20Strainer/Tea-Strainer-16540825690.jpg
It should catch all the glass bits! Make sure you wash it well with soap and warm water after, though!
February 24th, 2012 at 7:30 PM
thanks for share!
February 25th, 2012 at 9:19 AM
I love this kind of articles and I find amusing, sometimes .. I see that this site is good site
March 18th, 2012 at 5:11 PM
Do you put water in it?!?!
March 21st, 2012 at 10:21 AM
nope!
but you can put itin the freezer for a bit (while it’s glowing) to let the effect last a little longer!
May 19th, 2012 at 2:09 AM
It says to activate glow sticks to snap them so they glow.So,if you dump it inside a mason jar without snapping the stick how will it glow without doing it?
July 16th, 2012 at 1:46 PM
The chemical in the glass vile is hydrogen peroxide just adding some that you should have in your medicine cabinet would work then you wouldn’t have to worry about the glass bits at all.
June 2nd, 2012 at 8:37 PM
Add some silver or gold glitter to the contents of the glow sticks and shake the jar. The light will not last very long, but it’s pretty and fun.
July 24th, 2012 at 5:03 PM
It look amazing! But before I start making about 50 jars for my garden party, can you show me a photo of glowsticks which you use? Please..
I’m not sure if I can find something similar in Poland. This what I have are very thin and long, is it this? And last question. 
When I dump them into jar it start shining right now? Or only then when I start shaking? I just asking because im not sure how long before meeting i have to prepare this. 
.. Thank You so much! ;* …And sorry for my English.. 
August 22nd, 2012 at 4:39 AM
Any glow sticks are fine since they all contain the same materials!
They will start glowing once you break them. They will last approximately an hour so don’t prepare too early in advance!
August 22nd, 2012 at 4:39 AM
I saw your engagement photos– they are lovely! Glad I was able to inspire you to make your moment special