Magic lanterns : creative projects for making and decorating lanterns for indoors and out

In the days before gas and electricity the main source of artificial light was from oil lamps and candles.

A lantern around the flame prevented it being extinguished while offering some protection to the home from fire.

It wasn't long before candle-light was being enhanced, manipulated and diffused by surrounding it with a lantern which added colour and form to the basic light source, turning it into something wondrous.

We no longer have a practical need for lanterns, but emotionally they fulfil a need - a yearning for simplicity.

They cast a warm and nurturing light that is soothing in our busy stressful lives.

In the home, lanterns can be used to create ambient lighting for special occasions, Halloween or Christmas.

Outdoor lanterns look enchanting hung form a tree, lining a pathway or floating on a pond for a magical garden party.

Mary Maguire has chosen projects that make ideal gifts or decorations for the home and garden, or to take outdoors for a procession or party.

The range of lanterns varies widely from the simple painted jam-jar suspended on a string, bent willow structures covered in painted tissue paper to huge illuminated bamboo, wire and fabric carnival floats.