A DIY beaded lantern and plant hanger is two projects in one piece of fishing line, and that is why I keep making them. Glass beads, a small wooden ring and a few feet of line turn into a hanger that holds a jar with a candle inside, or a small potted plant, depending on what the room needs that week. I have always been a sucker for mason jar projects and bead crafts that give old materials a second job. This one is beautiful, it is genuinely easy, and it goes up indoors or outdoors. It also makes a lovely handmade gift, which is never a bad thing to have ready.
A beaded lantern and plant hanger is made from four five foot lengths of fishing line, folded through a small wooden ring and strung with glass beads until the strands form a cradle. Eight and fourteen millimeter beads are what this tutorial uses. Knot the eight strands at the bottom, then drop in a jar with a candle or a small planter and hang it.
Here’s another bead craft to try:
DIY Beaded Plant Tutorial (Easy Step-by-Step)
What I love about this DIY project aside from the fact that it’s really beautiful and easy to make is that it’s multipurpose. You can use it as a planter both indoors and outdoors, or use it as a hanging lantern instead. I bet this DIY lighting would add a cozy vibe to your home or garden. Learn how now and make one for yourself or give it as a DIY gift to a loved one!
Materials for DIY Beaded Plant Hanger and Lantern:
- Small wooden ring
- Fishing line
- Glass beads (8mm, 14 mm beads)
- Scissors
- Painter’s tape
- Ruler or tape measure
These products are all listed on our DIY JOY Amazon store, so you can order and know exactly what you will get, and when. We do earn a small commission on these links and very much appreciate your support ❤️
How to Make Beaded Plant Hanger and Lantern:
Step 1
Cut four 5 feet long threads. Gather them together lining up the ends, and fold them in half. Pass the loop through the wooden ring, then pull the loose ends through the loop. Hold it down securely with painter’s tape.
Step 2
Insert one large bead into the strings. Divide the eight threads into four pairs. Onto each pair, slide eight beads followed by one large bead. Repeat this pattern three more times, then slide three beads onto each pair of threads.
If you are using beads of different sizes, just make sure you fill the strands until they are 16 inches long.
Step 3
Separate the threads, then slide ten beads onto each individual thread. Note: If using different bead sizes, just make sure you fill the strands until 3½ inches long.
Group the inner threads into pairs, then slide two large beads onto each pair. Next, pair the outer threads together, then slide two large beads.
Slide ten beads onto each pair of threads.
Note: If using different bead sizes, just add beads until 4 inches long.
Step 4
Tie all 8 strands in a secure knot, then cut the excess.
Step 5
Place the jar with a candle or planter in the bead hanger, and hang it anywhere you want.
Crafting Tip
Frequently Asked Questions
What size beads do you need for a beaded lantern?
This tutorial uses glass beads in two sizes, eight millimeter and fourteen millimeter, with the larger ones acting as spacers between runs of the smaller ones. If your beads are a different size, stop counting and go by length instead: fill to sixteen inches, then three and a half inches, then four inches.
Does fishing line hold the weight of a plant?
The whole hanger rides on eight strands, because you cut four lengths of five feet and fold them in half through the wooden ring. That is what carries the load, not one line. The same hanger is used here for a jar with a candle and for a planter, so it is built to hold something with weight in it.
How do you keep the beads from sliding?
Painter’s tape holds the strands still while you work, and the final knot ties all eight together at the bottom. The crafting tip matters more than it sounds: pull the beads tight and line them up at the same height on every strand. If the strands sit unevenly, the jar will not sit properly inside the cradle.
Can this hold a potted plant as well as a light?
Yes, and that is the point of it. The finished hanger takes a jar with a candle in it or a small planter, so the same piece works as hanging lighting in a bedroom or as a plant hanger on a porch. Swap what goes inside it whenever you feel like changing the room.
Make sure the beads on all the strands are pulled tight and aligned at the same height. If they aren’t, the jar won’t sit properly inside the bead lantern.
DIY Beaded Plant Hanger & Lantern
