You need to obtain the following supplies:
- A block of wax. (craft stores have this)
- 2-4 pounds of Paraffin Wax (the kind used in canning)
or beeswax (which is usually expensive).
- Candle wick (available at most hobby and craft stores)
- Candle dye (also expensive) or crayons or old candle
pieces work well also for color.
- Scents if desired (again craft stores have them all)
- Wax paper and wooden spoon. I use the paint sticks
handed out at most hardware stores. And double broiler,
or in this house, a coffee can inside a pot of water.
Begin by cutting or breaking up the wax in small inch
size chunks, so it will melt quickly.
Then melt the wax in a double broiler. If you don't have one,
you can use a large pot filled half full of water and a large
coffee tin with the wax in it, sitting inside the pot. Heat
the water to boiling.
Once the water is boiling, turn the heat down and place the
tin of wax inside of it. Keep the water hot enough to keep
the wax melted but not so hot that the wax paraffin catches
fire (which it has been known to do over high heat).
While the wax to melting, stir with a wooden spoon (never use
metal) & make sure it all is completely melted.
After the wax is completely melted and been checked, break
the dye or crayons up and put them into the wax. Keep stirring
until all of the dye and crayons have melted and the color is
even and smooth, with no streaks. Keep in mind that the candle
will be a shade or so lighter when dry. The more dye or
crayons - the deeper and richer the color, so experiment.
Next, add the scents to the wax, by adding 10-20 drops of
essential oil to the wax until it smells strongly of the
fragrance intended.
Stir with the wooden spoon until it is thoroughly mixed.
Now your wax is ready.
SAND CANDLES
You need to first obtain the sand - either the beach, sandbox
or you can make a box and fill it with sand just for this
purpose. Size, of course will depend on how large your candle
is and how many.
First, moisten the sand enough to where you can make holes
in it without the sand falling back down into the hole. Then Dig
your hole in the sand the shape you want it. For square
candles, which are easiest to paint on, use a quart size milk carton, to shape the sand.
Round shapes can be formed by bowls. And the hearts and moons
and stars are all fine in a free form shape also. If you want
legs on your candle - take a pencil (unsharpened) and poke
holes for the legs in the sand.
The difference here is the container and securing the wick.
Be sure to use clean containers. The best size is an
aluminum soda can. Tall beer cans are great too! Wash and
rinse and let dry throughly first.
Prepare by cutting the tops off with tin snips or wire cutters,
and be careful of the sharp edges. Next poke a small hole in
the center of the bottom of the can. Lace the wick through
this hole and seal the bottom of the can securely with metal
tape. String other end of wick securly around a
pencil
or popsicle stick and center it over the can.
Use the same method for melting, senting and coloring your wax,
as the above Sand Candles.
Then just pour the melted wax into the cans.(nesting the
cans on sand can save your countertops and or work table from
small leaks)Then wait till the candle has cooled quite a while
and fill in in just a bit more with melted wax, as these tend to
settle and sink in the middle.
When completely cooled, some candles slip out, I prefer to cut
away the can though. Less mess and neater!
The bottom of your candle becomes the beautiful and neat
top of your candle!
VARIATIONS:
1.Use chipped ice in milk cartons for a lacy look.
(Secure wick and stuff carton with chipped ice,
before pouring hot wax.)
2.Glass jars make great candles too!
(Secure wick with foil tape to bottom of jar.)
3.If you have some big containers, use three wicks.
(Cardboard containers with foil type linings,
such as Lipton instant Iced Tea work
satisfactorily for this!)
Light a match and Enjoy!