How to make ice lanterns?
If you’re planning a winter holiday, or if you want to create a dynamic backdrop for an outdoor evening party or special Christmas decorations, do not miss these ideas for flashlights or lanterns sailing ice.
There are two ways to make a lantern of ice: ice itself, or with resin. Both have the same manufacturing method, and the only difference is the duration: the lantern will slowly melting ice, heat from the flame and climate, while the resin smoothly and will last without deteriorating.
There is also a difference in the cost of processing: To make an ice lantern will not require more materials than water and salt, while the resin torch will have a higher manufacturing cost due to the purchase price of resin and catalyst.
To make these lanterns need two containers in the same way, although of different sizes. You can make round, square, or the design you want as long you own two containers (glass, plastic, silicone and even metal) with a difference of not less than one centimeter in diameter or on its surface. The separation or difference between the two containers will set the thickness of the edges of the lantern or torch.
Depending on the material you use, and equipment manufacturing of containers, you will probably need release agent. You can use simple cooking oil, liquid or aerosol, or even Vaseline.
To make the ice lantern, we suggest fine salt diluted in water ready to use. This will keep the ice longer. Use a little salt, not water that will cloud the ice. If instead you use resin, we recommend you not to place any more than the catalyst addition, 10% of the volume of colorless liquid resin.
Prepare the container and dumps larger one to two inches at the base. Let freeze or harden, until it acquires a certain consistency. Meanwhile, prepare the second container, smaller.
When frozen water or curing the resin, place the smaller container inside the larger. You can also avoid over frozen or hardened, using adhesive tape to keep the second container to the center of the first, making lightly touch the base or water base resin. Then pour the remaining water or resin to complete the desired height.
For the piece to have more stability and beauty, you can add details on the ice or in the resin, such as finely chopped citrus slices, either dried or fresh, or even flowers, seeds and leaves of herbs, spices or of want.
Finally, allowed to set or freeze, and used with votive candles or tall, to not compromise the integrity of the piece, especially the ice.