Candle Magic

Materials:

natural or colored paraffin wax
wax-coated paper cup
wick
double boiler

Caution: Melted wax is hot! Avoid spills and splashes, and wear protective covering and gloves.

1. Melt the wax. Do not heat wax directly over an open flame or burner. Instead, use a double boiler. If you do not have a double boiler, you can use a large pot, put water in it and melt the wax in a smaller pot that sits inside of the larger one . You could do the same using a large can and a smaller can.
2. Heat the wax only until it's melted, making sure that it's not so hot that it will destroy the cup into which it will be poured.
3. Since candles float best if they have a rounded bottom, slightly push out the bottom of the cup used as the mold (figure A).
4. Hold wick in the center of the cup (figure B), and pour in the wax.
5. Peel off the cup when the wax has hardened.

Wax granules make great candles! All you have to do is pour the granules in your favorite container and place a wick in it. That's it! Try layering the granules to create different effects (figure C).

Or pour the wax in a small dish, then place a cookie cutter on top, like this heart-shaped one (figure D) .

Next pour another color in the cookie cutter and gently lift up (figure E) . Wax granules also float in water.

Materials:

hot plate/stove
metal pitcher
thermometer to gauge wax temperatures
old skillet
pliers
hair dryer
artist paintbrush or tweezers
heat-treated glass container
appropriate-size wick for diameter
wick clip
pressed flowers
Elmer's glue
melted pillar wax*
candle fragrance

*Wax should be as clear as possible, with a 128-degree melting point. Caution: Melted wax is hot! Avoid spills and splashes, and wear protective covering and gloves.

1. Melt wax in a metal pitcher on a hot plate or stove top until clear, using the thermometer to determine the appropriate melting temperature.
2. Prepare a clean, heat-resistant glass for flower application. Dab a small amount of white glue (Elmer's) on the pressed flowers. Align flowers on inside of glass and press (figure F). The white glue will dry clear.
3. Place the metal-clipped wick at the center of the glass bottom (figure G) . If the wick is not sturdy enough to stand up straight by itself, tie the top end of the wick to a pencil, then rest the pencil across the top of the glass.
4. Pour clear melted wax into the glass.
5. Allow candle to dry. When dry, clip wick to 1/4".

Materials:

beeswax sheets, solid, two colors
appropriate wick

Steps:

1. On a clean surface, lay out one sheet of beeswax (the main color).
2. Use a hair dryer on the sheet for a minute or so--just enough to warm the beeswax so it is pliable.
3. Lay out a length of wick along the edge of the sheet. It should extend by at least one inch on either side.
4. Tightly fold beeswax over wick. Roll the sheet (figure H). Note: It is important that the beeswax is rolled as tightly and evenly as possible. Once it has been rolled to approximately 3/4" of the desired diameter, cut the sheet.
5. Lay the two beeswax sheets (one of each color) side by side and continue the rolling process (figure I).