Candle making has come a long way since the pioneers made tapers by dipping wicks in bear fat or beeswax. Today you can get all the supplies you need for beautiful candles at your local crafts store. Whether you want to have scented pillars for elegant dinner tapers, it is all available. For a fun accent to use at a summer barbecue or a poolside party, seashell candles are the perfect project.
Supplies for the project
For this project you will need several things;
- Paraffin, either blocks or beads
- Teal dye, liquid – or another color you like
- Cotton wicks – the ones with a small metal plate at the bottom, so they stand independently
- Large Seashells
- A pouring container
- Hot Glue Gun
- Fragrance – optional
- Thermometer
The Process of Making Sea Shell Candles
Set out your seashells and let them reach their natural balance point. Using a glue gun, attach the wicks to the lowest reasonable point inside each shell. Prop each shell in its optimal position so it doesn’t move when you pour in the wax.
Heat your wax, according to the directions on the packet, until it is just liquid and then add your color and your fragrance. Mix in carefully, but well.
Let the wax cool slightly, to about 145°, so the wax just begins to form a shell at the edges of the pot. Now, stir rapidly so you incorporate some air into the mix. These bubbles will promote a water-like look.
Quickly pour the wax into each seashell being careful not to tip the shells and to keep the wicks out of the wax. Let the wax cool fully.
Tip; if you want a more unique look have on hand some sand and tiny shells that you can use to decorate the cooling wax and make “beach scenes” on top of the wax. Avoid flammable materials if you do this.
Floating Flowers; Summer Beauty in a Bowl
To make floating flowers you need the following:
- Parafin
- Plastic Wrap
- Fragrance, optional
- Liquid Candle Dye
- Craft Knife
- Thermometer
- Wick material
You will melt your wax until it is about 139 degrees Celsius. Once it is liquid, add in the color and optional fragrance. Your goal is to pour sheets of the wax that are about 1/4 inch thick, once the dye and fragrance are mixed in. Line a cookie sheet or baking pan with plastic wrap and pour in the wax.
Once the wax is somewhat set, but not firm, cut petal shapes from the wax. Wrap increasingly larger petals around a central wick, forming a flower as you go. To seal the bottom of the flower, and give it a good base, hold the wick with pliers and dip it back into wax you have kept warm on the stove.
You can let your imagination run wild. Use several colors per flower. Blend the edges with a warm finger. Make large and small flowers to use together. This is where you can get really creative.
Let the candle cool completely and place them in a bowl of water.
There are so many ways to make candles. Functional and fun, they are a great project to do with the kids on a rainy day.
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One important step for working with wax is to always use a double boiler to heat wax. It can be as simple as a tin can set in a pan of water but it will be a good buffer against accidentally setting your kitchen on fire by over heating the wax. Wax will smoke and become flammable fumes which can catch fire at the drop of a hat. Water distributes the heat more evenly and dissipates the excess, helping to keep you and your family safe.