1.Gather all supplies. Using the plastic medicine cup from liquid cold medicine, match a large recycled lid to the top of the cup. Mine is from a vitamin bottle. The medium lid is from a bottle of liquid cold medicine, and the small recycled lid is from a water bottle.

2. Center the bottom of the plastic medicine cup on the battery-operated votive flame and push gently to create an indent. Flip the plastic medicine cup upside down and carefully cut an “X” in the center with a craft knife. 

3. Cut the triangular flaps of the “X” away with a craft knife to create an open square. 

4. Carefully insert the plastic flame of the votive through the hole. This will become the base of the lantern.

5. Stack the three recycled lids on top of each other from largest on the bottom to smallest on the top. Secure the lids together with a glue gun and glue sticks. This will become the top of the lantern.

6. Basecoat the outside edge of the votive and the recycled lids with dark green or red acrylic craft paint. Let dry, and apply a second coat, if necessary. In my case, three coats were necessary to create a solid color on the exterior of the lantern.

7. Attach the lantern top to the lantern base with a glue gun and hot glue.

8. Cut a silver tinsel chenille stem, or pipe cleaner,  in half with scissors. Remove two silver pony beads from their package.
9. Slightly bend the half chenille stem in a curve. Use a glue gun to attach it to the top right and left sides of the lantern.

10. To finish, glue one silver pony bead to the top of the lantern, and the other to the front center of the base of the lantern.