Balloon Lights

Materials:Round balloonsString, yarn, tissue paper or other materialWhite glueWaterMiniature Christmas lights Ive said it many times: just because something is cheap doesnt mean it isnt fabulous. Thats one of the best things about being a crafter. You can take ordinary, inexpensive craft supplies and turn them into something useful, beautiful or both. If youre having a party, getting married or have another special event approaching there are some fabulous lights you can put together that will really help you create the look you want. The lights wont cost a lot of money and they look great outside or indoors.

Purchase balloons and use them to make hanging lights over a food table, around a deck or elsewhere. The color of the balloons doesnt matter at all. You will, however, need balloons which, when blown up, are round. Purchase large ones to make big lights for the event or small balloons for smaller lights. Youll need one balloon for each light.

There are various ways to make the lights. You can use lightweight string, yarn or even strips of tissue paper. You can use streamers - no plastic ones - and cut them into strips to use for the lights. Remember that the color of the material you use will be the color of the finished light. No matter what material you use youll need watered-down white glue to apply it to the balloons. Stir together one part water with two parts white glue to make the paste. Blow up a balloon and tie it in a knot. Set it on a glass or other implement to keep it from rolling. Set it so that the knot is facing the inside of the glass. Dip the chosen material in the glue and get it sopping wet. Run the material between your finger and thumb to remove the excess then lay the material on the balloon. Continue dipping another and another piece of the material into the glue and positioning it on the balloon. Do this until the entire balloon is covered but do not cover the knot. Allow the glue to dry overnight. When its completely dry, use a pin, and insert it by the knot to pop the balloon. Remove the balloon by pulling it out of the small hole where the knot was. Insert Christmas lights which have miniature bulbs into the holes of the balloons. If needed, wrap a piece of tape around each hole of the balloon to secure the light strand to it. Hang the lights wherever you want, and when the party is over, pack the lights and put them away until the next special event. Theyre useful and gorgeous!