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Crafter's Corner RE-CYCLED CANDLES (November 29, 2008)
I will probably get all sorts of folk hold their hand up in horror - but I re-cycle my old candle wax. We do try to re-cycle what we can; we re-use envelopes and boxes; do all the rubbish sorting; give to and buy from charity shops; cut things up to utilise them again; and I save all my old candle wax and stumps to make new candles out of.
I use mugs as moulds, and straws to hold the wick so all I have to buy is the actual wick and the metal 'weights' that go at the bottom. I have found it's not worth doing with out these as it really does help the wick stay in place. I have a small old pan and wooden stick that I keep just for this and every year or so I have a big candle making session. I have just made 36 quite chunky candles for about £2.
So you will need:-
- a small old pan to use just for wax (you can get one for pennies in a charity shop if you have not got one).
- a old wooden spoon or stick to stir with - don't use metal.
- various cups/pots/glasses to use as moulds. Make sure that the top rim of the mould is not smaller than the base unless you want to keep it in the pot - also make sure the bottom of the mould is flat or the base of your candle won't sit flat.
- pair of scissors to cut the wick to size
- pair of pliers to nip the metal collar to hold the wick firmly
- all your old candle wax - stumps - the outside bits that have been left when the middle has burnt out.
- a few sheets of newspaper to protect your work top!
This is what I do:-
Put a few of the old bits in the pan over a VERY low heat to melt. It takes a short while, but you must keep the heat low.
While the wax is melting you can get your moulds ready. Dip one end of the wick into the melting wax, and quickly roll between your finger and thumb to get a solid end (it won't be very hot - if it is you have got the heat too high.
Then you can thread it through the metal base easily. Measure the height of the mould you are using, add an inch so you can secure the wick upright, and cut. Slide the metal base down to one end with the flat plate at the base end. Nip the standing up collar with the pliers to keep the wick in place.
Dip the metal end in your melting wax pan and set it onto the bottom of your mould in the centre.
I use all sorts of cups, mugs, glasses, pots as moulds. As the wax does not get really hot you can use just about anything.
When the wax has melted pour it into your prepared mould - remember to hold onto the wick tip while you do this. When the mould is full of wax, just 'dunk' the tip of the wick into the liquid wax and 'stick' it to a drinking straw or wood/metal skewer laid across the rim of the mould. This is to keep the wick central while the wax sets. Put layers of newspaper over your work surface to protect it. If you splash some cool wax peels off easily enough from most surfaces, but I would hate you to spoil your worktop.
Set the full mould aside to cool. All the books will tell you to let the candle cool at room temperature and keep it away from cold draughts. That is because it makes the wax shrink a little on cooling. I deliberately put them on a cool window sill so that they do shrink and I can get my cups back easily!
Wash your cups and glasses in really hot soapy water before using them again.
Now you have loads of candles for pennies.
You can't control the colours you end up with if you are mixing all sorts of bits and bobs - but that's part of the fun.
Start with a few bits of wax to melt, and you can add more until you have enough to fill a mould. Just keep melting and filling until you run out of old wax or moulds.
Hook any old bits of wick, paper and metal plates out of the molten wax while in the pan with your wooden stick.
If you find that the molten wax is getting dirty with the bits of candle that have got a bit black while burning in use, just pour the last 1/4" in to an old plastic pot and chuck out.
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