How to Make a Spinning Lantern | Monday Movie Challenge

The spinning lantern, or wishing machine, that P.T. Barnum makes for his daughter, Caroline’s birthday was one of my favorite parts of the movie – The Greatest Showman.  Along with ALL of the music, and All of the dancing, and ALL of the story 🙂  Let’s just say I loved it and am so excited to share how you can create your own spinning lantern at home!

On the last (or fourth) Monday of each month, a group of bloggers participate in a #MovieMondayChallenge, hosted by C’mon Get Crafty! We decide on a topic, genre, or specific movie to use for inspiration and everyone gets free reign to create something wonderful!

This month’s challenge was. . . . “LUCK! Everyone was allowed to choose their own favorite film so long as it was inspired by the challenge word and I chose The Greatest Showman!

I absolutely L.O.V.E.D. this movie.  Big Jon and I have seen it twice now in the theater and I would gladly go again.  The music, the acting, the larger-than-life-ness of the whole film is just great.  The Greatest Showman truly delivers the all-around entertainment package.

In order to make your very own spinning lantern to wish upon, you will need the following items:

1. flat candle holder – I used metal
2. taper candle
3. taper holder
4. super glue
5. wire
6. 2 wooden kabob skewers
7. small metal craft bucket
8. hot glue gun

Step 1:  Measure and drill a hole into the flat candle holder.

In my case, my first attempt at this spinning lantern was an epic fail.  I measure and drilled 4 holes thinking that I would create a tent-like support for the bucket shade.  This did NOT work, so do NOT try this at home or you lantern will turn out like this! 🙂

This is not the beautiful look we are going for!  Thus, you will only need to measure and drill one hole, just to the side of where your taper holder will be.

Step 2:  Super glue your taper holder to the metal base of the spinning lantern.

I was unable to find a taper that had a wide enough base like the one in the movie, so this was the best solution I could find.

Step 3:  Wrap the wooden kabob skewer with your wire.

 

You want to create the shape below so that your bucket shade will hang directly over your candle when it is finished.  Make sure to leave the skewer point intact for the shade to balance on.

 

Step 3:  Hot glue the support into the hole in the base and wrap wire around the taper holder for extra support.

Of course, you won’t have drilled three extra holes into your base so it will look much nicer!  🙂

Step 4:  Remove the handle from your metal bucket.

I picked up this great little bucket at Hobby Lobby for about $3 before my coupon!  The handle just popped out with a pliers.  Easy peasy!

 

Step 5:  Drill multiple holes in your metal bucket.  This will create your light show!

You will also want to drill into the center of the bottom of your bucket (It will actually be the top of your shade), being careful not to drill all the way through.  This will create a little divot for your skewer to fit into.

Step 6:  Drill some large holes into the top of the shade to let the candle flame breathe.

After all of this drilling, check your shade and trim, sand or remove any sharp edges.

Step 6:  Light your candle and drip some wax into the taper holder.

We want to be sure that the candle does not fall over while we are enjoying our spinning lantern!

 

Step 7:  Balance your shade onto the support skewer – voila!

Step 8:  Turn off the lights, light the candle and enjoy the show!

Now let’s see what everyone else was inspired to create for this month’s #MovieMondayChallenge!! If you’d like to join our Facebook group, you can request an invite here.

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