In partnership with the Everett Crowley Park Committee (ECPC), we were honoured to be able to host 2 lantern making workshops at the Champlain Heights Community Centre on Sunday, Dec 8, 2024.
Globe Lantern Worskhop
At 10am-12pm, we began with a Globe Lantern Worskhop. It was led by Free the Fern Executive Director, Grace Nombrado, with the support of ECPC president, Damian Assadi.
The technique involved:
- Blowing up a balloon
- Covering the balloon in a layer of glue and white tissue paper, applied with a paintbrush
- Placing jute twine in a ring around the top of the balloon
- Adding another layer of white tissue over the balloon
- Decorating it with pressed leaves and/or coloured tissue
Participants were then provided with instruction on how to complete the globe lanterns at home. They were advised to wait 5 days for the tissue to fully dry on the balloon before popping and removing the balloon. Then, they were shown how to add a wire handle onto the top and place a tealight inside to create a lantern.
In total, 16 community members gathered for our workshop. It was wonderful to see so many families at the workshop building their beautiful globe lanterns together!
Ivy Basket Lanterns
Next, from 1-3pm, we then held a Ivy Basket Lantern Workshop. Local ivy weaver, Joe Boyd, led the workshop, with Evie Osborn, Stewardship Coordinator for ECPC, providing support.
The technique involved weaving ivy into a basket shape. See our Free the Fern instructional video to learn how to create a basket.
Participants then tied the top of their ivy stakes together to create a handle for their lantern. Inside the basket, they placed coloured tissue paper and a tea light to illuminate it.
Thanks to the 15 participants who came out to learn together! We look forward to seeing all of you carry your beautiful lanterns at our Light up the Night in Champlain Heights event on Dec 15!
Thank you to Park People & Neighbourhood Small Grants for providing funding to make these workshops possible.
Photos featured were taken by: Grace Nombrado (photos on event posters), Damian Assadi (globe lantern workshop photos), Evie Osborn (ivy basket lantern workshop photos), and Olga Sokolova (final photo).