How to Decorate Candles

Got plain old candles? Not anymore! Look around you - there are thousands of things you can use to perk them up.

Things You'll Need

• Brushes
• Candles
• Paraffin Waxes
• Candy Thermometer
• Double Boilers
• Tongs
• beads, jewels, doilies and stained glass

Instructions

1. Use any candle as your base. Find a color that contrasts with the materials you are using as decoration for the most striking effects.

2. Arrange objects you want to add to the candle. Beads, doilies, lace, seashells, colored glass or sand, and mosaic tiles are among the myriad objects you can use.

3. Put a chunk of wax into the top of a double boiler and set the heat on high. Stir frequently.

4. Use a candy thermometer to monitor the temperature of the wax. Turn off the heat when the paraffin reaches 180 degrees F.

5. Dip a paintbrush into the hot wax and then dab a bit of wax onto the object you want to apply to the candle.

6. Press the object quickly onto the candle.

7. Allow it to cool and voilà!

Tips & Warnings

• Flat objects look better than objects that stick out and can easily be knocked off.

• Be sure that small children and pets are kept out of the candle-making area.

• Don't pour wax down your sink - it will cool there and plug up the pipe.

• Wax is flammable at high temperatures and should never be left unattended.

• Use a fire extinguisher or baking soda rather than water if you have a wax fire.

• Paraffin wax will catch fire at 375 degrees F. Flash points for other types of wax vary.