And today we are sculpting from wax! I hope you and your little ones enjoy it! 3+

Decorative candles are very popular. They are used to create a festive and romantic atmosphere or simply decorate the interior.

There is a wide variety of such products on sale. However, their cost is quite high, and it is not always possible to choose the ideal option to suit your taste.

The solution to the problem is simple - you can make your own decorative candle. Original ideas can be gleaned from photos of candle crafts. You can repeat any idea you like, or create your own unique craft.

Burlap decor

You can make an original Christmas candle craft using available materials. You can take a regular thick candle and decorate it with burlap. This craft will harmoniously fit into the Christmas atmosphere.

For production you will need:

• ordinary candle;
• sackcloth;
• decorative ribbon;
• miniature wristwatches;
• thread and needle.

Cut a piece of burlap to the desired size, sew it or pin it. Insert the candle into the resulting case. Tie a ribbon around it and attach the clock. The original candle is ready, place it in any convenient place.

How to easily and quickly create masterpieces from wax?

I remember how in some magazine I saw a very original way of decorating gift wrapping - the gift was decorated with a bow made of paraffin. I liked this method so much that I often began to decorate gifts with it, especially since it is quite simple, quick and cheap to do. In addition, there is room for creativity here - after all, the bow can be twisted the way your heart desires, and what a bow - you can fashion any masterpiece from paraffin! This is done in the following way: you need to prepare a mold from parchment paper by folding its edges and fastening the corners with pins. Pour melted but not boiling paraffin into the resulting “trough”. The mold must be on a smooth surface so that the paraffin mass is uniform and smooth. Paraffin bow Now, holding our breath, we watch the paraffin - as soon as it begins to harden, we break off the pins and use a sharp knife to cut strips of the width and length we need. While the strips are warm, carefully transfer them using a knife to the gift that we want to decorate. We form a bow - we do not tie it from paraffin, but simply fold it from strips. A knot, a ribbon, a tie, you can add beads - it’s so simple and stunningly beautiful, isn’t it? In the process of such creativity, I decided to experiment with ordinary melting candles and various objects. I took candles of different colors, with and without scent. As soon as the wax was completely melted, I dipped various objects into it... So, regular knitting yarn was used. More precisely, its remains. Threads of different sizes and colors, plus wax and a little imagination - and now I have leaves, flowers, hearts, bunnies, etc. - I just need to find a use for all this beauty. By the way, this is a great activity for children, only under the strict guidance of adults and in compliance with safety precautions. So, adults can dip objects in wax, and children can create all sorts of different things from them. It is very convenient to use tweezers - firstly, it is useful for moving the candle wick to the side - this makes it more convenient to dip objects into it, and secondly, it is more convenient to hold the object being dipped with tweezers and give it shape. It’s convenient to do this on the same irreplaceable parchment paper. You can also place cookie cutters on parchment paper and pour wax into them. The less wax, the more fragile and delicate our creation turns out... You can also make just candles by pouring wax into different containers, mixing colors to your liking. Wax flowers in the bathroom But most of all I like working with flowers... It is not only beautiful, but also allows you to preserve the flower and create a kind of herbarium from wax. Experience will tell you which flowers are best to use; for example, I really like working with geraniums. I make these flowers, and then decorate them with napkin rings, pin them on a writing board, or simply place them in tiny vases on a shelf in the bathroom - wax flowers go very well with soap, it looks so elegant... I'll share a few tricks to make the flower look Naturally, the wax should be absolutely transparent and liquid, and the wax layer should be thin. The wax must cover the entire flower, then it will not break later. If the petals stick together during the process, they can be carefully straightened using a thin stem from a geranium or other plant - the stem will not scratch the wax and will not disturb the beauty of the flower. Although, as experience shows, geranium is very easy to work with, so this advice is more likely to be suitable for other flowers, for example, daisies. And one more thing - the flowers must be fresh. Good luck and inspiration, flowers and sunshine!

Autumn composition

You can also make an original autumn composition from burlap.

This attractive children's candle craft is sure to entice kids with its fall foliage and golden colors.

Necessary materials:

• candle of the required diameter;
• sackcloth;
• dense thick thread (ideally twine);
• lace fabric;
• glue (you can use a universal or glue gun);
• kraft paper;
• foliage;
• scissors.

This candle craft is made of paper, so you need to use it for its intended purpose carefully. Cut off some of the burlap.

Make a small fringe by unraveling the edges of the material. Secure the burlap tightly to the cut, wrapping it with twine. Secure the rope with glue.

Decorate the twine with a lace strip. Make decorative leaves from craft paper. You can also use real dried leaves. Tie the leaves with twine to form a beautiful bow. Glue the piece to the candle.

Secrets for Beginners

Even novice craftsmen can make candles at home. But to avoid disappointment, you should listen to useful recommendations. It is important not to overheat the candle mass. Purchase a special confectionery thermometer. During operation, heating is constantly monitored.

When making candles you will need a candy thermometer.

The following melting temperature parameters are taken into account for different types of material, °C:

• paraffin - 50-65;
• natural wax - 63-79;
• soy wax - 76-82;
• used old candles - 85-88.

When working with paraffin, take into account that this material shrinks greatly. During the first experiments, stearin should be added in a ratio of 4:1. Candles made from this mixture have an even structure and produce a long, even flame.

To decorate, you should first practice simple technologies. An excellent result can be obtained if you use decoupage. Remove the top layer from the paper napkin and cut out a fragment of the design. Apply it to the side surface of the candle being decorated. Smooth with a hot spoon. After cooling, the decor is ready.

You can make your own candles from different materials at home in different ways. By mastering the methods of not only casting, but also decoration, it is possible to create unique products that are suitable in theme for a specific festive event. You can select compositions to match the style of the interior.

Author: E. Gryzlova

Candle decorated with dried flowers

In winter, you always want to add a piece of summer to your interior. Therefore, you can make a craft New Year’s candle decorated with dried flowers.

Materials:

• white candle;
• ordinary candle;
• spoon;
• tweezers;
• dry flowers;
• scissors.

First, you should draw up a decoration concept; you should imagine what the finished composition will look like. Light a regular candle and hold a spoon over it, with the concave side facing the flame.

Using a heated spoon, gradually smooth the dried flowers onto the candle you are decorating. Proceed with caution, the petals may be damaged.

Excess parts of dried flowers can simply be cut off. Don’t rush to attach all the flowers at once, do it gradually.

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If some parts cannot be fixed with a heated spoon, simply attach them with glue. However, use a minimal amount of glue.

To secure the decor, cover the candle with an additional layer of paraffin.

Take another candle, cut it into pieces, remove the wick. Melt the paraffin, pour it into another container and dip a candle with flowers into it.

What are the benefits of beeswax candles?

What benefits, besides aesthetic pleasure, can wax candles give us?

Their subtle, unobtrusive honey-floral aroma is provided by beeswax containing particles of products produced by bees in the apiary. This natural aromatherapy calms and relaxes, creating a favorable atmosphere in the house.

Such candles burn very cleanly and longer than paraffin candles, without releasing any harmful substances into the surrounding space. And they cope with their functional task of lighting the room perfectly.

Wax candles help maintain and restore health, filling the house with an aroma when burned that can affect microorganisms, due to the fact that the wax contains remnants of propolis, resins and other useful substances found in the beehive in the apiary. This feature allows candles to be used in folk medicine as a healing agent to stimulate the body and improve mood.

Wax candles not only provide us with a soothing and peaceful atmosphere, but also make the air in our home cleaner, providing a healthier environment. This is explained very simply. When burning, wax candles release negative ions, which easily neutralize the positive charge contained in dust and micropollutant particles in the air.

By the way, this is precisely the principle used in the operation of some air purifiers and water filters.

When burning wax candles, the content of dirty impurities in the air decreases and it becomes cleaner. A favorable atmosphere is created in the room, which contributes to a more comfortable stay for people suffering from allergies and asthma.

There is evidence that burning a couple of wax candles in a room for a while made it easier for allergy sufferers to tolerate the component that causes a persistent allergic reaction (for example, the presence of a cat), and for asthmatics to feel more comfortable.

In addition, the pleasant sweetish and light aroma of candles, consisting of 100% pure natural wax without fragrances, dyes and other additives, is not irritating at all.

Of course, high-quality beeswax candles are not cheap, but health concerns are a more compelling argument for many. When purchasing ready-made wax candles, you need to carefully study their composition. Sometimes, candles that are only 50% beeswax and contain not entirely safe paraffin are passed off as a pure product.

Decorating with salt

Another original idea for crafts with candles for the New Year. The candle can be decorated with stylish salt decor.

To decorate a candle, you should prepare:

• low decorative candles in iron molds;
• fine salt;
• paint, preferably acrylic;
• washcloth;
• disposable plate.

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First, it is advisable to raise the wicks in the candles to make them easier to move. Pour a small amount of acrylic paint into a plate. Blot a piece of washcloth with paint. Paint the ends of the candles.

Without waiting for the paint to dry, sprinkle the painted surfaces with fine salt. Hold the candle from below and from the wick side.

Carefully set the candle aside, holding the wick. Wait a while for the paint to dry.

Decorate all the candles in the same way. This craft is ideal for the New Year holidays, since the salt is stylish and impressive.

Required tools and materials

Each method for making candles involves the use of a specific set of devices and tools. They should be prepared in advance. You will also need material for the products themselves and their decoration.

Candle base

At the preparation stage, you should immediately decide what material the candles will be made from. It is recommended to select a base from a range of safe varieties.

List of the most suitable types of material for making candles:

Wick

It is recommended to use threads made from natural fibers as wicks for homemade candles. Synthetics burn quickly. It leaves behind an unpleasant aroma. It should be taken into account that a thick candle will require a fairly powerful wick. You can purchase it in special stores.

Craftsmen successfully use a wick extracted from a candle. When making it yourself, pour 200 ml of water into a mug. Dilute a tablespoon of finely-fractioned table salt and twice the volume of boric acid in it without leaving a trace.

Cotton threads are immersed in the solution. After 12 hours they are removed and dried. Twist the tourniquet to the required thickness. You can weave a braid from threads.

It is best to use natural threads as a wick for candles.

A thin cord made of natural fibers is often used as a wick. It is soaked in a small amount of melted wax and left to harden. For stability, the lower end should be weighted. For this purpose, you can purchase special clamps.

An alternative material is thin wooden slats. They are pre-soaked in olive oil for 30 minutes. Then remove and remove the oily excess with a paper napkin.

Casting mold

You can use a variety of containers to fill the candle mass. The final shape of the candle depends on them.

The following items are used:

• boxes of juice, milk;
• plastic cups;
• citrus fruit peel;

Molds for casting candles can be purchased in special stores.

• silicone molds used for baking;
• wine glasses, glasses, glasses;
• jars of various products;
• eggshell.

The priority requirement for the selected shapes is the ability not to deform when heated to a temperature of 100°C. Pay attention to the configuration of the containers.

Dyes

You can turn ready-made candles into interior decoration if you make them rainbow. For this purpose, dyes of the desired shade are selected. , gouache or water-based watercolors for coloring candles They do not form a uniform texture with the candle base.

To create colored candles, you can use wax crayons as dyes.

To realize a creative idea, it is recommended to use wax crayons as a dye. They are crushed to the state of fine chips. Mother-of-pearl crayons give a particularly bright color.

Flavors and decor

If you want to feel a pleasant aroma during the process of lighting a candle, add a little essential oil to the base. Dried citrus slices have a pleasant aroma. You can use your favorite spices and coffee beans.

Cones, beads, decorative small bows, balls, and bells are successfully used as decoration. Decorate candles with dried flowers, seeds, and ribbons. Use hearts and snowflakes cut out of foil.

Melting devices

It is important to ensure safe conditions when performing the wax or paraffin melting operation.

The wax is melted using a water bath

Do not use microwave oven. It is prohibited to place dishes with a candle base directly on the stove - gas, induction, electric.

The best option is a water bath. The candle mass is placed in a metal bowl, which is placed in a pan of boiling water. When stirring the mass, avoid dropping drops of highly flammable paraffin onto the hot surface of the stove.

You will need a grater and a knife to chop the base. It is advisable to stock up on scales in order to measure components more accurately. A thermometer will come in handy to monitor the temperature of the heated candle mass. To fix the wick in the center of the mold being poured, use a wooden skewer. It can be successfully replaced by a pencil.

Halloween candles

To celebrate Halloween, you can make “blood candles”. For production you need the following materials:

• old white candles;
• red candle;
• a small dish (can be replaced with a disposable plate);
• decorative elements (to your taste - bunches, bugs, etc.);
• lighter.

Place a white candle on a plate. Light a red candle and wait for the paraffin to melt. Pour paraffin onto a white candle, creating a kind of “bloody” drip.

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This needs to be done in several layers. After each lap, leave the candle for a few minutes to allow the paraffin to harden. Thanks to this, the decoration will gain volume.

After the paraffin has dried, you can decorate the candle with additional decor. For example, you can take small children's toys - insects, spiders, cobwebs, etc.

Sequin decoration

Another original idea for the New Year or a romantic party. The candle can be elegantly decorated with sparkles of golden, emerald or other colors.

The easiest way to secure glitter is with double-sided adhesive tape. Place several strips of masking tape around the candle.

The number of stripes depends on the size of the candle. You shouldn’t cover it completely; for greater aesthetics, make gaps.

Remove the top layer of adhesive tape. Sprinkle the pasted areas with glitter of the desired color on top. As an alternative, metallized foil in silver or golden color. The craft will also turn out stylish, but a little different.

DIY aroma candles

Making scented candles with your own hands is quite possible. In particular, this is worth doing for those who are true fans of aromatherapy. In order for you to get exactly the aroma candles, you need to add some essential oils before pouring them into wax. The choice of oil depends on your taste: you can add any oil, except perhaps rose oil. After all, its smell when burning will be suffocating and heavy.

It would be great if the decor of the aroma candle matches the plant whose oil we use. For example, using lavender oil as the basis for the aroma, pink or lilac dyes should predominate in the decor of the candle.

Using laurel or mint oil, it is better to decorate a candle with green shades.

Vanilla or cinnamon will be organic in warm, beige-brown tones of a candle.

It's not just oils that can make your candle scented; regular coffee is a strong and pleasant scent.

In principle, achieving the scent of a candle is not so difficult. Aromatic oils are added to paraffin, wax or gel. And then the process of making a scented candle is no different from creating a regular candle.

We advise experimenters to mix oils: you are guaranteed an unusual bouquet of aromas. If you are afraid of “doing something weird” and synthesizing incompatible smells, look at perfume recipes. Follow their instructions, just don't add rose oil.