Parol 101: How to build a lightbulb for the lantern

Supplies Needed: plug adaptor, lightbulb, plug, at least 1 ft-any length of plastic coated electrical wire (2-wire, can be easily split in the middle of the plastic coating)

Instructions:
1. Cut through the middle of the length of the wire for about 1" on both ends. Make sure that the cut is only on the plastic part and that no wire is exposed during the cut. (WARNING: Exposed wires can cause electrocution!) If wire is exposed, cut through the middle more and cut off the parts that were exposed.

2. Then, carefully cut around each group of the copper wire, making sure that the cut is only up to the plastic part, not the copper wires. This is important since if many of the copper wires are cut, then electricity will only be able to flow through fewer wires. Then, using your fingers, pull the cut-off plastic part, and twist the exposed copper wires to make them into neat ends. This will make it easier to use as well. Do this to both ends, then set aside.

3. Unscrew the 2 screws underneath the lamp base. Twist the exposed wires around the screws and screw them down. Take your time in doing this. No copper wire should stick out from the screws. The neater this is done, the safer the wiring.

4. Take the plug and unscrew the casing. Open the plug, attach the remaining ends of the wire (by twisting and screwing the wires) to the 2 metal prongs of the plug. Close the plug.

5. Screw in the light bulb and plug to check. For safety, you can wear silpat gloves or any rubber when plugging. If it lights, then it's good to go inside the parol.

6. Insert the lightbulb in one of the corners of the parol. The wiring comes out at one of the sides. Use masking tape to keep it from moving inside. When covering the parol with cloth or paper, don't completely glue in the cover on the side where the wire comes out. I suggest a flap that opens and closes so that you can always replace the lightbulb later should it go out.

BIG TIP: Cloth is a good covering material because light shines through. If using paper, it's good to have it perforated or have a design that is cut through so light can pass. Another is to just keep the sides of the parol uncovered so light shines around the star instead.

WARNING: Don't leave the parol unattended when on. Always take it out of the electrical socket when no one is around as a safety measure.

Parol 2008

I finally finished my parol this year. Every year, I make it a point to make a parol for every Christmas of Galo, sort of a marker for his year. So far, I have 4, always on display above my capis divider.

This time, I used scrap jusi cloth which I sprayed and rubbed with Glimmer Mist (graphite, merlot and olive vine). Then, I stamped StazOn Olive Green all over using the FP Bella Brush script stamp. In the beginning, I thought it wouldn't turn out well. Was I surprised myself when it did come out gorgeously vintage as planned.

Materials: jusi cloth, Glimmer Mist (graphite, merlot, olive vine), StazOn Olive Green, Carolina's lace, Carolina's textile flowers (love this stuff!!!), misc. olive green ribbon. Stamp used: FP Bella Brush script.

Techniques: stamping, rubbing and spraying glimmer mist.

Cloth Parols

I've done parols in the past which I've given away for Christmas. My parols are inspired by the parols made by Tita Hannah Trinidad, wife of Corky Trinidad, the famous political cartoonist of Honolulu Advertiser. She makes parols using cloth, instead of japanese paper in Hawaii. No one parol is alike.

I was planning to make 1 new parol for our house every year since Galo was born. He's now almost 4 and I only had 2 parols, so I decided to make one more. This time, I used my old blue silk Victoria's Secret pajama top for the cloth. Very blue it turned out, just to my liking. I added ribbons, sewed glass beads and seed pearls, and of course, included the requisite electric light which I made from scratch.

I also included my two other parols in the display. Parol 2004 was made from my old white cotton chinese embroidered blouse, while Parol 2005 was made from a frayed banig bag. Galo likes them lighted at night.

I hope I get to make a new one next year.