Since I love the beach, there is probably little doubt that I love playing in sand.  This craft is a great way to create some unique and beautiful candles and it is also a wonderful way to get that “playing in sand” fix that I occasionally need.

What you need:

• Paraffin Wax:  since these candles are not in a container, it is better to use paraffin for them.  You can find paraffin wax at most craft stores in the candle section.
• Cotton Wicks:  You can purchase these as pre-cut or in rolls.
• Candle Dye:  This is optional but if you purchase a dye, make sure that it is candle dye.  if you don’t want the expense of candle dye, you can also use crayola crayons as a dye.
• Sand
• Medium to Large sized bowl
• Pencil: For tying the wick to it to keep it from falling into the hot wax.
• Double Boiler:  You can use a double boiler or you can place a coffee can in the middle of a pot that has 2 to 3 inches of water in it.

Directions:

1. Before you melt the wax, it is important to prepare your mold for the candle wax.  To do this, you will want to place the sand in the large bowl.  Moisten the sand slightly but don’t saturate it.  Basically, you want a sand that has just enough moisture that it will be molded.
2. Next you will want to shape your sand to create the look you want.  This means digging a small hole to match the height of the candle that you want and from there, the sky is the limit.  Remember that the wider your candle, the more wax you will have left over after you burn it.
3. Bury about an inch of the wick into the sand and then tie the other end onto the pencil and set it across the top of the bowl.  If you are adventurous, you could make a long trench in the sand and place three or four wicks to create a bar candle.
4. Now that your mold is prepared, take the paraffin wax and heat it according to teh directions on the package.  Usually you will want the wax to reach 150 degrees but it differs with each product.
5. Once it is melted, remove it from the heat and allow it to cool slightly, usually about 5 degrees.
6. Carefully pour the melted wax into your mold.
7. Allow the candle to harden before you remove it from the mold.
8. Brush off the excess sand and then let it sit for 2 or 3 days before lighting.

In the end you are left with unique candles that have brought a piece of the beach with them.

Sirena Van Schaik

Photo Credit: © Avdeev077 | Dreamstime.com

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