To make party candles (figure A), glue a small shell flat side down like a base for the curved underside of a large cockle shell (figure B). Use small wired wicks with bases to stand up inside the cockle shell and pour in melted paraffin wax. Scent the wax with coconut or pina colada candle oil to really bring back the beach memories. If the wax caves in a bit when it dries, just melt more and top it off until it's even. Make several of these and scatter them around your patio tables, deck or pool.
Make star or flower candle holders with smaller shells (figure C). Trace the base of the candles on a piece of cardboard or scrap card stock and cut around them about 1/4 inch larger than the candles. Glue rounded scallop or small cockle shells around the traced circle like a flower, or glue five or seven long cone shells around to make a star. If you have a spare hand, hold the candle in place while you glue the shells, just to make sure it will fit snugly. Then put a dab of hot glue on the base of the candle and glue it upright in the center of the paper circle if you'd like to secure it more...or just touch the bottom of the candle to the tip of the glue gun. That will melt the wax a little and that will hold the candle in place by itself. If you're using long candles, you might have to prop it up a minute to let the glue dry a bit. These are so simple, you can make a party's worth in half an hour.
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