How to Make a Sand Cast Candle
Ancient Romans created candles to light their way and guide them home in the dark, but these days candles are used for decoration purposes. There are countless varieties of candles available in the market for different situations and occasions, but making your own candles can be a lot of fun. Try making these simple sand cast candles and you will be astonished to see that no two candles will be alike.
Things Required:
– Wax
– Candle wick
– Sand
– One flowerpot for each candle
– Crayons
– Pebbles
– An empty can
– A cooking pot
– Water
Instructions
-
1
Break the wax into small pieces using a blunt knife or with hands and put them in an empty coffee can.
-
2
Also add paraffin or unwrapped crayons to the can and place it in a cooking pot containing water (about 1/3 full).
-
3
Set the pot on the stove and allow it to melt on low heat, stirring occasionally with a table knife to blend the crayons and the wax.
-
4
Meanwhile, prepare your candle mould. Fill the flower pot 3/4 of the way with slightly damp sand.
-
5
Make a small cone-shaped hole in the centre of the flower pot and make different small holes around it with your finger or a pencil.
-
6
Take an 8-inch piece of candle wick, tie a pebble on one of its ends and press it deep into the centre of the moist sand. The pebble tied at one end will hold the wick in place, down the centre of the sand cast candle and will be at the top of the candle when you will unmould it.
-
7
Whirl the other end of the wick around a small stick or pencil and straddle it across the top of the flowerpot. Be sure the wick is slightly tight and straight.
-
8
Once the wax and crayons have melted completely, pour the mixture immediately into the prepared mould, filling all the holes to the top. If the wax slightly sinks in, pour in more liquefied wax to level it at the top of the mould.
-
9
Set aside the flowerpot to let the wax cool and dry completely. This should take at least one hour.
-
10
Once the wax has hardened completely, take the flowerpot outside and turn it upside down in a corner to unmould. Keep your hand on the open end of the flowerpot.
-
11
Carefully remove the candle and gently brush off as much sand as possible. Use a small paint brush to remove the excess sand.
-
12
Allow the candle to dry and then wipe it off again. Cut the extra wick on the bottom and top of the candle, leaving about one inch of wick at the top.
