How to Make Sand Cast Candles

Romans created candles to light their way in the dark. Most modern candles provide ambiance and ornamentation. There are many varieties of candles on the market but the ones made by hand have a certain charm. Learn to make your own sand cast candles in just a few simple steps.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Sand
• One flowerpot for each candle
• Crayons
• 1/4-lb. household paraffin for each candle
• Candle wick
• Pencil
• Empty can, label removed
• Small cooking pot
• Small pebbles

1. Assemble all of your materials before you start to melt the wax.

2. Break the wax up into pieces and put them in the empty can. Place the can of wax in a cooking pot 1/3 full of water and set it on the stove over a low heat.

3. Prepare the candle mold while the wax melts. Fill the flowerpot with moist sand. Use your hand or a small object to press the shape you want into the sand. Create interesting designs by making holes or indentures after you have pressed in your initial shape.

4. Tie a pebble around one end of the wick and embed it in the sand, towards the bottom of the mold. The pebble holds the wick in place; it will be at the top of the candle when you unmold the candle.

5. Wind the other end of the wick around the pencil and lay it across the top of the flowerpot. Make sure the wick is straight in the mold.

6. Pour the melted wax into the mold. If the wax slightly sinks in, you can pour in more to level the bottom of the candle. Let the wax dry.

7. Turn the flowerpot upside down to unmold. Remove the candle carefully and brush off as much sand as possible. Allow it to dry, and then brush it off again. A thin coating of sand will remain on the candle.

Tips & Warnings

• Place a crayon in the melting wax to produce a colored candle.
• Remember, you are making the candle upside down so the bottom of the sand molds the top of the candle.

[glaze1112]

on 3/22/2008 I have a wooden box I made, about 2 feet square, filled with sand. Once I unmold the candle and brush off the excess sand, I use a small propane torch (like plumbers use) and heat the sand - this draws the wax all the way out to the outer edge of the sand keeping it in place. if you heat it a little more you can use various tools and carve into the sand - I make great volcano's this way. I carve all the way into the colored wax, using red coloring, it looks like lava flowing down the candle when it's lit.