With Halloween just around the corner, why not consider doing
some ghoulish crafts with your children? One of my favorite
crafts to do with the kids is Halloween candle making. Your kids
will love it, and it is appropriate for any age group. You will
need the following supplies to get started:
1. A pillar candle.
2. Some “cut and carve” wax.
3. Some wax adhesive.
4. Halloween cookie cutters.
5. A shallow pan.
Heat your “cut and carve” wax, and pour it into the shallow
pan. Be sure that you fill the pan approximately 1/4 inch., and
try to ensure your pan is on a level surface. Allow the wax to
cool, but not until it has completely hardened.
You can use other tools to produce different
shapes. For instance, you can use drinking straws to produce
eyes for your creepy monsters. Or you can use a small paring
knife to make free form shapes. As always, be extra careful
using sharp objects around the children.
Remove the cookie cutters, and allow the wax to harden
completely. This will ensure that your cut-outs maintain their
shape when you are working with them.
When the wax has cooled, start removing your shapes. Do this in
the same manner as you would if you were making cookies. Feel
free to use a spatula or another household utensil to assist. Do
not worry if the excess wax breaks up….you can always reheat
it!
If you are using a round candle, you will need to shape the wax
cut-out to fit the contour of the candle. We like to use a hair
dryer to soften the wax enough to be pliable, but not enough to
melt it. Place it directly on the side of the candle to shape
it, but be careful not to break it.
Using your wax adhesive, cover the back of the cut-out. You can
also use clear candle wax, but try to work fast because the wax
will harden quickly. You can use a paint brush to apply the
melted wax.
Now you are going to apply the cut-out to the candle. Try to
place it in the correct spot on the candle. The cut-out will be
difficult to move once the wax has started setting, and the
candle may get damaged. That’s it! You’re finished! Trick or
Treat!
About the Author: Cassie Morgan is a mother of three, and loves
doing crafts with her little ones. When she is not playing with
her children, she writes freelance articles for websites such as
http://www.candlesandcandlemaking.com
– a website dedicated to all things wax, featuring information
on candle making techniques(http://www.candlesandcandlemaking.com/
).
