These lanterns are a simplified version of the collapsible spherical chochin lanterns, which were originally hung outside of small shops in Japan as the shop’s sign. The support structure is thin basketry reed, but I’ve had fun experimenting with wire, string and other basketry materials. The paper technique for this project falls somewhere between collage and papier mâché. It doesn’t take long to make one of these simple designs, and finessing the collage can turn it into a work of art.

If you like this class, you might be interested in the 6-week Paper Lanterns online course.