Butterfly Decor: DIY Tea Light Butterfly Lanterns Tutorial

These butterfly decor lanterns are so pretty, light and airy and can be used in so many different ways. As centerpieces at a shower, lining a walkway, or in the garden for a twilight garden party. On picnic tables at a barbecue, or as a magical alternative to a nightlight in a little girl’s room – the possibilities are endless. The twinkling lights glow through the wings of the butterflies and reflect against the glass to give off a soft light, perfect for springtime.

Making these butterfly decor lanterns is amazingly simple.

Lantern butterfly decor supplies:

Stainless steel and glass candleholder (lantern)
Tea Lights
Butterflies (4 butterflies for each lantern)
Moss (one package is enough for 3 lanterns)
Your favorite high-bond glue (glue gun, Krazy Glue, E-6000, etc.)

Start by tearing a large round-ish piece from the moss. Make it slightly larger than the bottom of the lantern. Rough edges are fine, it looks more natural than if you were to cut it.

Open your packages of butterflies and remove the clip from each. Pull firmly, and the clip will come right out.

For each lantern, glue three butterflies each to their own tealight. You can glue the butterfly to the base or to the LED flame bulb. I varied the angle that I glued the butterflies on, I felt it made them look a little less staged.

I tucked in the circle of moss, then each of the three butterflies. As a finishing touch, I glued a butterfly to the handle, as if it just decided to rest there.

These butterfly decor lanterns take no time at all to make! For my second lantern, instead of putting a butterfly on the handle, I added it to the lip of the lantern.

What is more magical than having dinner by butterfly candlelight? Or going to sleep knowing your dreams are being watched over by glowing butterflies?

Even nestled among the plants in the yard, these butterfly decor lanterns add the perfect amount of whimsy for afternoon tea, or evening cocktails.