Charles' Coconut Candles

Materials and Tools:

precut coconut shells
wick and wick holders
needle-nosed pliers
scissors
candle wax (approximately 1 lb. per candle)
scented oil
candy thermometer
melting pan and double boiler
silk floral elements
floral wire
hot glue gun

Steps:

1. Buy premade coconut shells coated with a flame-retardant coating from a craft or party store.

2. Melt the candle wax with a double broiler in a pan that is only for melting wax.

3. Using a candy thermometer as your gauge, bring the wax to the designated temperature that is appropriate for the variety of wax you purchased.

4. Add the coconut scented oil per the directions on the bottle.

5. Carefully pour the melted wax into the coconut shells.

6. Cut the wick into four-inch lengths and attach to the wick holders, crimping the end with the pliers.

7. Suspend the wick over the container using chopsticks, straws, lengths of coat hanger or whatever you happen to have laying around. This will keep the wick centered in the freshly poured candle.

8. Allow the wax to harden and then trim the wick so that only 1/4-inch remains.

9. Create a small floral spray using a silk orchid, bougainvillea and fern leaves gathered together with the floral wire.

10. Finish the candle by attaching the spray to the outside of the coconut shell using the hot glue gun.