Preserved Flower Candles
By Expressive Candles
Putting flowers in your candle will add
a unique look, while preserving your favorite flower.
We have been asked many times, how to put flowers and other objects
on the outside of a candle. So, we'll be showing you how it is
done. The most important thing to remember is to be safe. Putting
anything on your candle such as paint, dried flowers, ribbon and
other objects, pose a fire risk. While this is unlikely to happen
with this project, we need to warn you before hand. We do not recommend
burning any candle that has flammable material on it.
To start with, you will need a few supplies. First and the most
important is a big pillar candle, at least 3" in diameter.
This will help keep the flame out of reach of anything you put
on the candle. You will also need to have a small white votive,
or the same color votive as your pillar, an old pan to melt wax
in, a paint brush, dried flowers or herbs and ribbon.
Candle making is an art, and requires exact precision in the melting
process of the wax. Luckily you do not have to be exact in this
project. Place the votive in your old pot; you will not be able
to use this pot for food ever again. Next place the heat on Low
Medium to Medium heat, DO NOT HEAT ON HIGH. The only thing we want
to accomplish here is to melt the wax down to a liquid. As soon
as the last solid piece melts, is when you turn the heat down to
low.
Next, select what you will want to put on your candle. If you
are using flowers and leaves, make sure they have been pressed.
Take the paint brush and paint some melted wax onto the candle
where you wish to place the flower. Place the flower on the wax
before it hardens. The wax will harden quickly, securing the flower
in place. Repeat this step for the leaves as well.
Another great idea is to place a picture on the candle using the
method of painting the wax onto the candle. You can use many different
things, but they must be flat.
After placing all your flowers and leaves onto the candle, we
will need to seal the. The wax in your pot may have hardened some,
so heat it on Medium Low to get the wax melted again. Brush the
entire candle with wax. This will seal the flowers in place and
give it a smooth finish. You might have to apply several coats.
But if you use a picture, do not brush over it, this will ruin
the picture and you will not be able to see the picture clearly.
Last you can tie a ribbon around your candle to top it off. Another
idea is to use the melted wax and paint small metal beads onto
the candle for further embellishment.
This project can be done in many different ways, using anything
from flowers, herbs, pictures to beads and glitter. But keep in
mind the safety of your candle. We recommend not burning candles
with flammable materials on them. If you do decide to burn these
candles, use large pillars, as the sides of the candle tend not
to burn down. Have fun and enjoy. •
About the Author
This Article was written by Michelle
Gauthier 03/03/04. This article
is copyright by www.ExpressiveCandles.com.
Expressive Candles offers Scented Hand Poured Candles and a growing
collection of Candle Decorating and CandleScaping articles.
2004
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