a moment of beautiful – an ice lantern
the space: our living room on a winter evening
the beautiful: an ice lantern with cranberries and periwinkle vine
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As Christmas approaches, candles are among my favorite decorations. For the past few years, I have made ice lanterns (also called ice candles).
I use a square plastic container that freezes well. In the center, I place a paper cup weighed down with rocks. Then I fill the outer ring with cranberries and greenery (this year I used the green vines of Periwinkle, Vinca minor, from our garden). Then I fill the ring with water.
This goes in the freezer, or in colder weather, out on the porch. Once the water has frozen, I put hot water in the paper cup, to free it from the ice. Then I run cold water over the outside of the bigger container to free the ice lantern. I light a tealight or flat candle and put it in the center space.
The shimmering ice lantern will last several hours. These lanterns will also last a long time outside in cold weather.
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Jane Tims 2013
nichepoetryandprose 
I love this, Jane. Beautiful idea. 🙂
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Robin
December 3, 2013 at 10:23 am
Hi Robin. Glad you like it! Jane
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jane tims
December 3, 2013 at 11:34 am
I’m going to have to try this some time – what an inspired idea!
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Barbara Rodgers
December 2, 2013 at 11:27 am
Hi Barbara. You can use different kinds of containers and decorations. I’ve set them up out on the deck so we can see them from the inside. Jane
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jane tims
December 2, 2013 at 12:21 pm
You really do have the soul of an artist, from your street view wanderings to the beautiful ice lanterns, you create beauty. That is a life well-lived.
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brokenpenwriter
November 30, 2013 at 6:36 pm
Hi. Thank you for your praise. I enjoy everything I do. Jane
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jane tims
December 1, 2013 at 8:43 am
What a great idea! The ice lantern is lovely. I may have to make some for the holidays.
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Sheryl
November 29, 2013 at 8:16 pm
Hi. If you go on Pintrest and search for ‘ice candle’ you will find some other examples. Have fun. Jane
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jane tims
November 29, 2013 at 9:08 pm