SAND CANDLES
Materials:
Large bowl or box
Beach sand (or “sandbox sand”)
Candlewick
Small vase or bowl with flat bottom
Stick or pencil
Wax*
* Prepare for the craft by melting the wax. Most wax comes in large bars, but it melts faster when it’s broken into smaller pieces. You can do this with a hammer and chisel. To melt the wax, use a "double boiler" method – one pan holding the wax chunks is placed inside another pan containing boiling water. Some things to remember:
• The boiling water sometimes splashes, so make sure the wax pan is tall enough so that the wax and water do not mix.
• Make sure you keep adding water to the bottom pan as it evaporates.
• Add wax dye (available at your local craft store) to get the desired color.
SAND
Fill a large bowl or box with beach sand (or “sandbox sand”). Lightly dampen the sand so that it sticks together.
PRESS SHAPE
Using a vase, bowl, or any item with a flat bottom – press a shape into the sand.
SET-UP WICK
Place the wick inside the bowl (or box) and keep it standing straight up by wrapping it around a stick or pencil. Craft stores sell wicks in various lengths, or you can cut one down.
POUR WAX
Pour the wax into the sand shape. Set aside the bowl (or box) and wait for the wax to cool and harden completely before moving on to the next step (the time this takes may vary).
LIFT OUT CANDLE
Once the candle has hardened, lift it out of the sand. The hot wax will have seeped into the sand and created a casing for your candle.
ANOTHER CANDLE
Use the leftover melted wax to create other candles. Rosie shows one option – making candles out of seashells.
Special Safety Note: Melting wax should never be left unattended. Please use added caution when handling hot wax and follow the wax manufacturer’s warnings and instructions very carefully.
