The directions are for after you return from vacation but it is even better when you have an entire beach to use as a canvas. Unfortunately most of us don’t own a beach so we take a little vacation home with us and create a candle that will beautify our home and remind us of all of the fun times we had on our trip.
Materials needed:
- A gallon of sand minimum
- Wax
- Double boiler
- Wicks
- Stones, seashells or colored glass pieces
- Box
- 2 forked sticks
- One longer stick
This candle will be made upside right.
One of the reasons why this medium is unique is because the sand allows you to create original, organic flow and movement that a mold couldn’t achieve. Start by pouring all of the sand into the box. If you want a deep candle you will use a deeper narrow box. If you want a wide shallow candle, use a wide and shallow box.
Form the sand in the box into a bowl like shape. The deeper and wider your bowl shape is, the deeper and wider the candle will be. If you want the candle to stand on it own, make sure to give it a flat bottom.
In the sand, using your fingers or any household tools, create the desired pattern. You can add seashells or colored rocks. Remember that your design is a negative. Areas that you dig out will be raised. Areas that you raise will be dug out.
Using your double boiler, slowly melt the wax. While it is melting determine how many wicks your candle will have. Tie that many wicks to the longer stick. You can finagle other sticks if you don’t want your wicks in a straight line. Take your two forked sticks, fork up and place them in the sand outside of the candle area. Use the forks on each side to hold the longer stick that has the wicks tied to it.
Pour the wax to the desired height. Allow to dry.
When the candle wax is completely dry, remove it from the sand. You will find different sands will give the candles different textures as the sand adheres to the sides and bottom. The remaining sand can be used again and again. Only a small percentage will adhere to the candle each time. Try different shapes and embellishments. You can customize the embellishments for each individual in the case of gift giving. Above all else, just have fun.
