Luminarias for holiday tables

Sunset, Dec, 1995 by Peter O. Whiteley

The enchanting glow of traditional outdoor luminarias comes from the way the paper-bag shells amplify light from the candles within. We've brought the same quality of light indoors, using translucent handmade paper, cornhusks, and other natural materials for tabletop or mantel decorations.

The luminarias fit into simple frames and leave ample clearance for a votive candle in a glass container. To check for fire safety, we burned a candle in each luminaria for 6 hours. (Always bum votives in glass containers -- never put a luminaria around a naked candle -- and do not leave burning candles unattended.)

Although we show three luminarias here, we experimented with a dozen others made with different combinations of paper and frame materials. Part of the fun was making the frames from twigs or cuttings found in our own gardens or at floral or craft supply stores.

A glue gun was particularly helpful for fast assembly of the cornhusk and twig frames. Art supply stores offer the best selection of handmade paper, which is available in 2- by 3-foot sheets starting at $2. Be sure to hold the paper up to the light to see whether it's translucent. If you're unable to find a good paper selection, contact Loose Ends Box 20310 Keizer, OR 97307 (503/390-7457); it offers a broad array of handmade papers.

CORNHUSK

Materials

Cardboard mailing tube 3 1/2 inches in diameter Cornhusks (sold in grocery stores for tamales) Tan-colored raffia Handsaw or hacksaw Scissors or single-edge razor blade Ruler Glue gun and glue sticks

Steps

* Saw a 1-inch-wide ring from the cardboard mailing tube.

* Cut 10 to 12 cornhusks in varying lengths from 4 to 6 inches.

* Glue the longest husks to the ring, overlapping slightly, to complete one circle; repeat with shorter husks, spacing them between the longer ones. Repeat for several layers.

* Wrap the base four or five times with a long strand of raffia, twine, or ribbon, and tie.

TWIG FRAME

Materials

Straight twigs with branches (about 12), 12 inches long and 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick Cardboard or paper, 8 1/2 by 11 inches Raffia or colored twine Rice paper Garden clippers Ruler Glue gun and glue sticks Scissors or single-edge razor blade White glue

Steps

* Cut four twig pieces 12 inches long with branches intact. Cut four pieces 9 1/2 inches long and eight pieces 5 1/2 inches long, and trim off branches.

* On the piece of cardboard, draw a 4 1/2- by 7-inch rectangle 1 inch from one of the short sides. This edge will be the bottom.

* Place one 12-inch twig on each long side of the rectangle with nonbranching ends at the bottom edge.

* Center two 5 1/2-inch twigs on horizontal lines and glue to 12-inch twigs.

* Glue a 9 1/2-inch twig diagonally (bottom left to top right) to complete a side.

* Repeat to make a second side.

* Space the two completed sides 4 1/2 inches a art, facing each other. Keep them vertical by leaning them against books or bricks. Glue the remaining crosspieces and diagonals in place.

* Wrap raffia tightly around the intersecting twigs at each corner.

* Measure the interior perimeter of the frame, and cut a piece of rice paper that's 8 1/2 inches tall and as wide as the perimeter, plus a 1/2-inch flap along one short side. Glue the edges together with white glue. Fold the rice paper so it fits snugly inside the frame. (You can test the folds and fit with a sheet of newspaper first.)

WREATH BASE

Materials

Rice paper or other sturdy, translucent paper Vine wreath (from craft store), 6 inches wide Glycerin-dried oak leaves on branches (from craft or floral supply store) Slender birch twigs, 12 to 15 inches long Scissors or razor blade Ruler White glue Garden clippers Hammer 16-penny nail

Steps

* Cat a 6- by 15-inch piece of rice paper, with the rough edge on one of the 15-inch sides. Roll the paper into a cylinder so it fits snugly in the center of the wreath. Make a mark 1/2 inch into the overlap. Cut off the excess and glue the edges together.

* Cut small clusters of oak leaves with twig bases.

* Use a hammer and nail to punch holes through the wreath at 1 - to 1 1/2-inch intervals.

* Insert cuttings into the holes, alternating leaves and birch twigs.

* Insert the cylinder of paper.