Spotted: Halloween Luminaries from Adventure in a Box, and 12 More Luminaries to Make

Luminaries are always beautiful, I think, and they make an excellent kids’ craft–who could resist a wonky tissue paper Jack-o-lantern shining out of an upcycled glass jar?–but these particular Halloween luminaries here?

They are stunning. Stellar. The most beautiful that I’ve ever seen.

Check out Adventure in a Box for the tutorial for these lovely Halloween luminaries, including a pdf printable for the template. Pop a rolled beeswax candle inside, and you’ll have the perfect Halloween tabletop display.

Luminaries of all kinds are surprisingly easy to make, and they’re not just for Halloween, either. Check out this list of 12 more luminaries that will look just as beautiful shining in your house:

1. autumn leaf luminary. Preserve the warm colors of fall leaves by painting them onto glass jars to make luminaries.

2. beeswax luminaries. Beeswax is not burned here, but used as the translucent window that the candle shines through. For decoration, add beeswax-coated leaves to make these leaf-encrusted lanterns.

3. dodecahedron star luminary. Geometry is magical!

4. ice luminaries. If you use a battery-powered tea light, you can “plant” these luminaries directly in the snow!

5. kite and tissue paper luminaries. Tissue paper luminaries aren’t just for Halloween! Use a Waldorf window star tutorial to make the star  that’s on one of the pictured jars.

6. oiled paper luminaries. It’s the oil that gives ordinary paper the translucent glow in these luminaries.

7. painted glass luminaries. Glass paint makes these luminaries durable; baby food jars make them adorable!

8. photo luminaries. Printable vellum paper is the secret behind these luminaries that use real family photographs.

9. tin can luminaries. Use any can for this project, and punch any pattern into it.

10. wine bottle luminary. Cut the bottom off of a wine bottle to make this festive luminary.

11. salt luminaries. The painted-on salt looks just like snow.

12. orange peel luminary. The orange peel will illuminate as the candle that’s poured inside it burns down.

[Halloween luminary image via Adventure in a Box]