# Bluefruit Luminary Lanterns with Capacitive Touch

## Overview

https://youtu.be/Pqa8YeQAkDQ

Design beautiful customizable luminary lanterns for your home or garden. Cut them out on a vinyl cutter or laser cutter, and fill them with light using a Circuit Playground Bluefruit Express and Adafruit's NeoPixel rings. Add custom color animations and control the lanterns with Adafruit's BlueFruit app.&nbsp;

We've also added capacitive touch control, so you can change color modes just by touching the lantern. Circuit Playground Express has all this functionality already built-in, so it's easier than ever to create gorgeous controllable lights.

If you're making just one lantern, this project doesn't require any soldering at all! The Circuit Playground's onboard lights will do the work. If you want to make multiple synchronized lanterns, it's easy to solder NeoPixel rings to the Circuit Playground and string together as many lanterns as you'd like.

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/084/695/medium800/led_pixels_IMG_E8735.jpg?1574284913)

## Parts
### Circuit Playground Bluefruit - Bluetooth® Low Energy

[Circuit Playground Bluefruit - Bluetooth® Low Energy](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4333)
 **Circuit Playground Bluefruit** is our third board in the Circuit Playground series, another step towards a perfect introduction to electronics and programming. We've taken the popular Circuit Playground Express and made it even better! Now the main chip is an nRF52840...

Out of Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4333)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4333/guides)
![shot of a Black woman's neon-green manicured hand holding up a Circuit Playground Bluefruit glowing rainbow LEDs.](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/4333-11.jpg)

### NeoPixel Ring - 12 x 5050 RGB LED with Integrated Drivers

[NeoPixel Ring - 12 x 5050 RGB LED with Integrated Drivers](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1643)
Round and round and round they go! 12 ultra bright smart LED NeoPixels are arranged in a circle with 1.5" (37mm) outer diameter. The rings are 'chainable' - connect the output pin of one to the input pin of another. Use only one microcontroller pin to control as many as you can...

In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1643)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1643/guides)
![Hand holding NeoPixel Ring with 12  x 5050 RGB LED, lit up rainbow](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/1643-00.jpg)

### 5V 2A Switching Power Supply w/ USB-A Connector

[5V 2A Switching Power Supply w/ USB-A Connector](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1994)
Our 5V 2A USB power adapter is the perfect choice for powering single-board computers like Raspberry Pi, BeagleBone, or anything else that's power-hungry!

This adapter was specifically designed to provide 5.25V, not 5V, but we still call it a 5V USB adapter. We did this on purpose to...

In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1994)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1994/guides)
![5V 2A Switching Power Supply with  USB-A Connector](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/1994-01.jpg)

### 5V 2A (2000mA) switching power supply - UL Listed

[5V 2A (2000mA) switching power supply - UL Listed](https://www.adafruit.com/product/276)
This is an FCC/CE certified and UL listed power supply. Need a lot of 5V power? This switching supply gives a clean regulated 5V output at up to 2000mA. 110 or 240 input, so it works in any country. The plugs are "US 2-prong" style so you may need a plug adapter, but you can pick one...

In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/276)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/276/guides)
![Angled shot of power supply.](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/276-06.jpg)

### Lithium Ion Polymer Battery - 3.7v 2500mAh

[Lithium Ion Polymer Battery - 3.7v 2500mAh](https://www.adafruit.com/product/328)
Lithium-ion polymer (also known as 'lipo' or 'lipoly') batteries are thin, light, and powerful. The output ranges from 4.2V when completely charged to 3.7V. This battery has a capacity of **2500mAh** for a total of about 10 Wh. If you need a smaller battery, <a...></a...>

Out of Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/328)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/328/guides)
![Lithium Ion Polymer Battery 3.7v 2500mAh with JST 2-PH connector](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/328-06.jpg)

### Part: 4 Conductor Silicone Wire
quantity: 1
Silicone Cover Stranded-Core Ribbon Cable - 4 Wires 1 Meter Long
[4 Conductor Silicone Wire](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3892)

### Part: Copper Foil Tape
quantity: 1
Conductive Adhesive - 25mm x 15 meter roll
[Copper Foil Tape](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1127)

### Part: 2 M USB Cable
quantity: 1
A to micro B, purple braided covering
[2 M USB Cable](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4148)

### Part: DC Female Adapter
quantity: 1
Female DC Power adapter - 2.1mm jack to screw terminal block
[DC Female Adapter](Slice%20Craft%20Knife%20with%20Ceramic%20Blade)

### Part: Craft Knife
quantity: 1
Slice Craft Knife with Ceramic Blade
[Craft Knife](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4306)

# Materials & Tools

- Vinyl cutter or laser cutter (or a knife and lots of patience)
- Soldering Iron & accessories
- Pretty paper or poster board
- Clear plastic poster board for diffusion
- Glue (I used hot glue)
- Utility Knife and/or putty knife&nbsp;

- [Next Page](https://learn.adafruit.com/bluefruit-luminary-lanterns-with-capacitive-touch/wiring-diagram.md)

## Featured Products

### Circuit Playground Bluefruit - Bluetooth® Low Energy

[Circuit Playground Bluefruit - Bluetooth® Low Energy](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4333)
 **Circuit Playground Bluefruit** is our third board in the Circuit Playground series, another step towards a perfect introduction to electronics and programming. We've taken the popular Circuit Playground Express and made it even better! Now the main chip is an nRF52840...

Out of Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4333)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4333/guides)
### NeoPixel Ring - 12 x 5050 RGB LED with Integrated Drivers

[NeoPixel Ring - 12 x 5050 RGB LED with Integrated Drivers](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1643)
Round and round and round they go! 12 ultra bright smart LED NeoPixels are arranged in a circle with 1.5" (37mm) outer diameter. The rings are 'chainable' - connect the output pin of one to the input pin of another. Use only one microcontroller pin to control as many as you can...

In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1643)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1643/guides)
### Silicone Cover Stranded-Core Ribbon Cable - 4 Wires 1 Meter Long

[Silicone Cover Stranded-Core Ribbon Cable - 4 Wires 1 Meter Long](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3892)
For those who are fans of our silicone-covered wires, but are always looking to _up their wiring game_. We now have **Silicone Cover Ribbon cables!** These may look _a lot_ like <a...></a...>

In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3892)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3892/guides)
### Pink and Purple Braided USB A to Micro B Cable - 2 meter long

[Pink and Purple Braided USB A to Micro B Cable - 2 meter long](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4148)
This cable is&nbsp;super-fashionable&nbsp;with a woven pink and purple Blinka-like pattern!

First let's talk about the cover and over-molding. We got these in custom colors, and if you&nbsp;_have_&nbsp;to have visible cables, then you might as well have the nicest fabric-bound...

No Longer Stocked
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4148)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4148/guides)
### 5V 2A Switching Power Supply w/ USB-A Connector

[5V 2A Switching Power Supply w/ USB-A Connector](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1994)
Our 5V 2A USB power adapter is the perfect choice for powering single-board computers like Raspberry Pi, BeagleBone, or anything else that's power-hungry!

This adapter was specifically designed to provide 5.25V, not 5V, but we still call it a 5V USB adapter. We did this on purpose to...

In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1994)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1994/guides)
### 5V 2A (2000mA) switching power supply - UL Listed

[5V 2A (2000mA) switching power supply - UL Listed](https://www.adafruit.com/product/276)
This is an FCC/CE certified and UL listed power supply. Need a lot of 5V power? This switching supply gives a clean regulated 5V output at up to 2000mA. 110 or 240 input, so it works in any country. The plugs are "US 2-prong" style so you may need a plug adapter, but you can pick one...

In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/276)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/276/guides)
### Female DC Power adapter - 2.1mm jack to screw terminal block

[Female DC Power adapter - 2.1mm jack to screw terminal block](https://www.adafruit.com/product/368)
If you need to connect a DC power wall wart to a board that doesn't have a DC jack - this adapter will come in very handy! There is a 2.1mm DC jack on one end, and a screw terminal block on the other. The terminals are labeled with positive/negative assuming a positive-tip configuration...

In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/368)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/368/guides)
### Lithium Ion Polymer Battery - 3.7v 2500mAh

[Lithium Ion Polymer Battery - 3.7v 2500mAh](https://www.adafruit.com/product/328)
Lithium-ion polymer (also known as 'lipo' or 'lipoly') batteries are thin, light, and powerful. The output ranges from 4.2V when completely charged to 3.7V. This battery has a capacity of **2500mAh** for a total of about 10 Wh. If you need a smaller battery, <a...></a...>

Out of Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/328)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/328/guides)

## Related Guides

- [Adafruit Circuit Playground Bluefruit](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-circuit-playground-bluefruit.md)
- [Using the CircuitPython Extension for Visual Studio Code](https://learn.adafruit.com/using-the-circuitpython-extension-for-visual-studio-code.md)
- [PyLeap App](https://learn.adafruit.com/pyleap-app.md)
- [Cyberpunk Santa Eye](https://learn.adafruit.com/cyberpunk-santa-eye.md)
- [MagicLight Bulb Color Mixer with Circuit Playground Bluefruit](https://learn.adafruit.com/magiclight-bulb-mixer.md)
- [BLE Synth with the Feather nRF52840 and Circuit Playground Bluefruit](https://learn.adafruit.com/ble-synth-with-the-feather-nrf52840-and-circuit-playground-bluefruit.md)
- [Now Playing: Bluetooth Apple Media Service Display](https://learn.adafruit.com/now-playing-bluetooth-apple-media-service-display.md)
- [Sound Reactive Rapunzel Hair](https://learn.adafruit.com/sound-reactive-rapunzel-hair.md)
- [Circuit Playground TFT Gizmo Dreidel](https://learn.adafruit.com/circuit-playground-tft-gizmo-dreidel.md)
- [Festive Feather Holiday Lights](https://learn.adafruit.com/festive-feather-holiday-lights.md)
- [Getting Started with CircuitPython and Bluetooth Low Energy](https://learn.adafruit.com/circuitpython-nrf52840.md)
- [Bluefruit TFT Gizmo ANCS Notifier for iOS](https://learn.adafruit.com/ancs-gizmo.md)
- [Wooden NeoPixel Xmas Tree](https://learn.adafruit.com/wooden-neopixel-xmas-tree.md)
- [Sound Reactive NeoPixel Peace Pendant](https://learn.adafruit.com/sound-reactive-neopixel-peace-pendant.md)
- [Multi-tasking the Arduino - Part 3](https://learn.adafruit.com/multi-tasking-the-arduino-part-3.md)
- [Your Very First Circuit Sculpture](https://learn.adafruit.com/first-simple-circuit-sculpture.md)
