Bring on the wick jokes; we're making candles!
When we have enough old candle ends saved up, we melt them down to create new candles, with the rescued wax.
When we have enough old candle ends saved up, we melt them down to create new candles, with the rescued wax.
I braid candle wick with twine left over from Todd's photo shoots:
Masking tape, twist-ties and rubber bands ...
I like to think MacGyver would be proud:
I like to think MacGyver would be proud:
Yes, there are a lot of other ways to get the wick to stay put.
No, I don't want to argue about them.
While I prep the molds, Todd chops the candle stubs into smaller chunks, removes anything that isn't wax, and creates his own version of a double-boiler--
No, I don't want to argue about them.
While I prep the molds, Todd chops the candle stubs into smaller chunks, removes anything that isn't wax, and creates his own version of a double-boiler--
--Yes, really: That is a glass Pyrex measuring cup filled with melting wax chunks, floating precariously in a pot of boiling water, over an open flame. Kids, don't try this at home (seriously, kids; don't. This is dangerous, and even kind of stupid, given all the things that could go wrong. You don't get to do this sort of thing until you're a grownup, at which point you really ought to know better).
Todd wrangles the (abused) Pyrex with a pot-holder, and pours the wax into the molds:
We leave the molds to cool overnight. Sometimes there's some sinking in the middles; Todd pours the last of the wax into the centers, making sure to soak the top wick in wax as well.
Occasionally, a bit of steam will become trapped between the wax and the glass. To be safe (because obviously, safety is our first priority), I pop the candles from the molds and let them air (you don't want any trapped water heating up under the glass; it could cause the glass to crack, possibly sending shrapnel in all directions).
These candles are a little off; so the fit right in, over here.
These candles are a little off; so the fit right in, over here.
It takes about an hour to create them; we keep useful goodies out of the landfill; we save money on candles; Todd gets to do crazy (read: hazardous), things in the kitchen. Everybody wins!
Disclaimer!
Obviously, we aren't pros at this, or even hobbyists, and some of our methods are decidedly MacGyver-gone-Jackass. So, if you want to try this at home, please do your research first, because there are safer ways to pull it off.
Obviously, we aren't pros at this, or even hobbyists, and some of our methods are decidedly MacGyver-gone-Jackass. So, if you want to try this at home, please do your research first, because there are safer ways to pull it off.
RSS Feed
