Pom Pom Lights | DIY with Marta Locklear

by martalocklear on January 25, 2010

A few months ago I stumbled on an adorable idea to make Pom Poms out of Chinese Paper lanterns for weddings on OnceWed. I instantly bookmarked it and started spinning my little brain wheels trying to figure out how to use them for myself, or my daughter.

Then Bingo! I am in the process of redecorating my daughters room and I wanted to incorporate Pom Poms somehow. So, how about a cluster of Pom Pom lights? The DIY above is just for decor, and I am not sure the fabric circles would allow enough light shining through, so I decided to try it with tissue paper circles and use the actual lighting mechanism.

You can find the lanterns online or your local Pier 1 Imports and Ikea. Ikea carries several sizes and you can get the light and paper lantern for only $7.

Step 1 – Supplies

Step 2- Cut out 4″ diameter circles from tissue paper. The number will vary depending on the size of your lantern. You can also vary the size of the circles.

Step 3- Fold cirlces in half without creasing and add glue to center of circle. Apply to lantern. Continue until the entire lantern is covered.

Step 4- Hook up the lighting mechanism and enjoy!

Tips and additional ideas

1- Lighter colored paper will allow more light to show through

2- Try crumbling the paper into balls for an entirely different texture.

3- Combine colors to make it unique

4- Hang a cluster of varying sizes together for a unique arrangement

Article by marta locklear

Marta is a woman of many roles; wife, best friend, mom of 3, daughter, granddaughter, entrepreneur, photographer, artist. She is a lover of light and gets giddy when in the company of a good field. Her beautiful images can be seen on her website, Marta Locklear | Photography.

marta has written 35 fabulous articles.

{ 31 comments… read them below or add one }

1 launa January 25, 2010 at 8:32 am: LOVE this! What a cheap way to add some pizazz!! I’m going to have to give this one a go! :)
2 Stacy January 25, 2010 at 8:39 am: Oh Marta I love this idea! Thanks for sharing!
3 Samantha January 25, 2010 at 8:46 am: This is so so cute. Not sure my boys would appreciate one of those in their rooms. But that is so cute for a girls room or wedding. Thanks for the share. So easy yet so glam!
4 Jenn Galloway January 25, 2010 at 9:09 am: Yeah! Love it! Gonna make a couple FOR SURE!
5 Angie January 25, 2010 at 9:31 am: Eek! So excited to see this. Would love one in my own room.
6 Tasha January 25, 2010 at 9:33 am: Love these!
7 jodi January 25, 2010 at 9:39 am: LOVE this! and i\’m in the process of redo-ing my 9 year old\’s room too!!!

one question: what is the spacing like b/w tissue circles? (so, how far apart are the hot glue dots from eachother?)

thanks for this inspiration!
8 andrea January 25, 2010 at 9:52 am: So cute and looks fairly simple, my 12yr old daughter will love this little project! Thanks!
9 Jaime Fleming January 25, 2010 at 10:22 am: i think my daughter’s room needs one…or maybe more! so cute!
10 Rachel January 25, 2010 at 10:31 am: Forget my daughter’s room, I think my room needs three! So cute!
11 Erin January 25, 2010 at 10:33 am: too cute….will have to try this for my two daughters.
12 brenda January 25, 2010 at 10:45 am: flippin’ brilliant Marta! LOVE it!!
13 Janelle Vano January 25, 2010 at 10:49 am: Sabrina says \"COOL! I want those all over my room!!\" Thanks for sharing, Marta :)
14 Marci@OvercomingBusy January 25, 2010 at 10:55 am: Gorgeous Marta! I never would have thought of that! In my daughter’s room, hung 5 lanterns( in colors to match her room ) from the ceiling and then strung rope lights through them for a cool effect. They would look fab all dressed up like yours!!
15 Megan January 25, 2010 at 11:20 am: Love love love this. I have lanterns hanging and want to dress them up asap.
16 jessica g January 25, 2010 at 11:36 am: thank goodness my daughter’s room is still in transition. must figure out how to include these! thanks for sharing!
17 Meghan Rickard January 25, 2010 at 11:40 am: This is such a great idea, tfs!
18 thea January 25, 2010 at 4:31 pm: Super wonderful! I love this idea. I see a project in my near future!!! Thanks for sharing.
19 Jessica January 25, 2010 at 8:19 pm: ooooohhhh my gooooodness! i never knew you could make these yourself without fancy kit and an eternity of patience. thanks for sharing such beautiful photos and simple instructions. i am desperate for an excuse to make one of these!
20 stacy k January 25, 2010 at 8:36 pm: Ok, so I have nowhere in my house this would be useful…but I LOVE it and I am going to find *somewhere* to do this! lol
21 valerie January 25, 2010 at 9:27 pm: So, so cute! I am filing this at thecraftersfilebox.com.

Thanks for sharing!!
22 Carey January 26, 2010 at 3:33 am: oooooh! gorgeous!
23 Emily Burlingame January 26, 2010 at 9:48 am: ADORABLE!
24 Mary Williams January 26, 2010 at 12:19 pm: I linked this on my blog!!!! Love these….going to make some for my bedroom!!!!
25 Mary Williams January 26, 2010 at 12:19 pm: I linked this on my blog!!!! Love these….going to make some for my bedroom!!!!
http://lilbitofus.blogspot.com/2010/01/couple-cool-ideas-i-saw-today.html
26 Mindy W January 26, 2010 at 10:29 pm: So cool! Now I want to decorate my office! Thank you for this post.
27 tisha January 27, 2010 at 4:01 pm: Oh now that is cute!! Love it!
28 Rachel January 29, 2010 at 1:23 pm: How sweet! I love these. I could see them in my daughter’s room.
29 Joye January 29, 2010 at 2:27 pm: I’ve wanted to make something like this for so long! Thank for the tutorial! It looks fabulous : )
30 Courtney @ nesting instincts February 1, 2010 at 9:50 pm: Gasp! So simple yet so cute! I will have to try this one for my daughters\’ room as well!
31 Mag February 6, 2010 at 9:24 pm: What a beautiful idea! I’m sticking it in my blog – maggieandjohn.wordpress.com