Wax and Bubbles

As with any type of candle making project, this one requires adult supervision. Keep little hands away from melted wax, because it’s very hot!

There are a couple of different ways to make crayon candles, so I’ll share the basic method first, and then give you some variations.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Lots of broken crayons
• Candle mold, glass jar, or an old milk carton cut down to a few inches tall
• Candle wicks
• Optional: crushed ice, white paraffin wax, candle glitter, candle paints

Sort the crayons into colour groups, with like colours together. This is optional, but if you melt them all together you’ll end up with an odd sort of colour for your finished candle.

Melt the crayons, one colour group at a time, in a double boiler over low heat, stirring gently but frequently. Meanwhile, prepare the mold or container by placing the wick in the centre. If you have tabbed wicks, you can put a little bit of the melted crayon wax on the bottom of the tab to hold it in place. Otherwise you’ll have to keep it centred by using two pencils or chopsticks tied together with the top of the wick between them; rest the pencils or chopsticks over the mouth of the mold.

Slowly pour the melted crayon into the mold, making sure that the wick stays centred. Melt the next batch of colours and continue to pour them, one on top of the other, until the mold is full. Allow the wax to harden completely before removing from the mold. (If you’re using a glass container, you won’t need to remove the finished candle.) Trim the wick to 1/2 inch above the wax.

If you want a more rustic looking candle, put a bit of crushed ice into your mold. Do this for each pour, otherwise the candle will end up top-heavy and unstable. The ice causes the wax around it to harden faster, and you’ll end up with little holes or bumps throughout the candle.

Another way to make the candles interesting is to melt plain white paraffin wax and use that as the main candle wax. As you’re pouring the wax into the mold, drop small crayon chunks in randomly. The paraffin wax will melt small bits of crayon, and you’ll end up with streaks of colour throughout the finished candle.

You can also add candle glitter to the melted crayons or paraffin wax if you desire, or use candle paints to decorate the finished candles. Use your imagination, or rely on your child to use hers (or his, as is the case in my own home!).

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