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M.
Okay, let's give it a go. Bear with me though, as my brain is mush right now.
First, check the picture on the intro page of this Instructable : http://tinyurl.com/347uwm This is the closest you'll get to a cool paper lantern without *too much* trouble. I'm not saying it's impossible : just much more complicated.
1) Draw a pentagon the size you want. 2) Measure the total perimeter of the pentagon : that'll be the width of paper you'll need. 3) Choose how tall you want your paper lantern to be : that'll be the length of paper you'll need. 4) Cut out the adequate quantity of paper. I'll assume here you're using a large sheet of paper. Don't forget to cut some more in all directions for tabs ! 5) Decide on the spacing you want between the thin pieces of wood/bamboo you'll use to give the lantern some rigidity - think stretched popsicle sticks. These pieces will run on the outside, perpendicular to the sides of the lantern and parallel to the floor. 6) Valley-fold between the popsicle sticks, mountain-fold on the sides to define each face of the lantern. 7) Now cut two pentagons that fit the top and bottom of your lantern. Reinforce them with the popsicle sticks, about 1 centimeter away from the sides, and add to the lantern. Don't forget to cut a hole in the top one : you can cut so that you'll have tabs folding around a metallic wire circle so you have a clean opening through which to put candles and such. 8) Now of course, candles. You can either design a system of your own to hold the candles in mid-lantern (metallic wires, again) or go the easy way. 2 to 3 cups of play sand at the bottom of the lantern, a tea-light candle, and you're done.
Disclaimer : You can't sue me if you set your place or your friend's on fire. All this is just top off my head ;)
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