Lantern Challenge: DIY Leopard Print Lantern

For this month’s lantern challenge, I decided to feature a pattern that’s become quite the staple in the wold of design. Leopard and cheetah prints can be spotted – no pun intended – on everything from clothing to home decor. Luckily, with some acrylic paint and simple techniques, you can re-create this DIY leopard print pattern on practically any surface. A miniature lantern is a great place to start. Keep reading to see how I did it!

DIY Leopard Print Lantern Supplies:

• Darice 2.5 x 2.5 Metal Black Lantern
• Antique Gold and Black Acrylic Craft Paint
• Thin Paint Brush

Step one. For the first layer, add black spots. Make them irregular and varied in shape; this will help them look more natural.

Step two. Continue on the remaining three sides of the lantern.

Step three. For the second layer, add yellow/gold spots to accent the black.

Step four. Alternate between  smaller spots within the black and larger spots outside of the black.

Step five. Repeat on the remaining three sides of the lantern.

Step six. For the third layer, add more irregular black borders around or on top of the yellow/gold.

And your DIY leopard print lantern is done! Pretty easy, right?

Kirsten Nunez

Kirsten is a lifestyle writer and craft book author focusing on DIY, food, health, and creativity. Since 2010, she has been sharing DIY projects at WildAmor.com (formerly Studs & Pearls). In May 2014, Kirsten published her first book, Studs & Pearls: 30 Creative Projects for Customized Fashion; you can find it at Barnes & Noble, Amazon & select independent bookstores. She spends most of her time writing, crafting, traveling, and dreaming up new recipe ideas. Kirsten is a born and raised New Yorker currently living in the Bay Area of California.

http://wildamor.com/