Candles

So the children's home has an event every year to thank our supporters, and we give away something as a small gift to take home.  We also get lots of crayons, and not all of them get used, or they get used for one year and then the kids would like new ones.  So we have lots of crayons.  I was put on the task to find a way to use all the excess we had.  After much looking I found these neat candles. 
 
Today we began the task  of making 200 plus candles.  We got about 120 done.  It was fun, and they turned out GREAT!  Here's how we did it.
 
Step 1: Unwrap a billion crayons.  (The cheap ones unwrap the easiest.)

  It takes a lot of time to unwrap. 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Step 2: Melt the wax in a double boiler.  We used an old 8x10 pan, and tin can.  You can also add scent at this point if you want.  Also, found in candle section of the hobby store.

We used candle paraffin wax from Hobby Lobby.  You can also use canning paraffin wax from the local hardware store.  Using small Dixie cups that are coated in wax one pound of wax makes around 6-8 candles. 
 
** We used 4oz. paper cups.  It doesn't matter the size as long as they are  coated in wax.
 
 
 

 

 

Step 3: Cut tapered candles down to size, or you can sink tea light candles into the end product.

 

Step 4: Put a small amount of wax in the bottom of the cup, and stick the candle in the center.  Allow a few seconds to set up.

 
Step 5: While I was getting the candles set up in the cup.  The kids were breaking the crayons into small pieces.  Similar to snapping green beans.  Sounded the same too.  We separated ours by color into Styrofoam bowls. 

 

***Note: DO NOT USE anything in this process you don't want to be coated in wax. 

 
 
 
Step 6: Put crayon pieces in cups around candle.  Make them however you want.  All one color scheme, fall colors, rainbow colors, spring colors, etc.

 

 

Step 7: Pour hot wax over the crayon pieces.  This needs to be done by an adult.  I used another paper cup to dip, and had butcher paper on all surfaces to keep wax and crayon off them. 

 

 

Step 8: Allow to set for 30-45 minutes or until set and cooled. 

 

Step 9: Unwrap the candles, and enjoy seeing the colors shine through. 

 

 

~After cutting all the candles it dawned on me to try sinking a tea light in the candle that could be changed out.  So I tried it. It looks nice, and seems that it could be taken out and replaced with another tea light once burned.~

 

**Warning:  At times the wick will clog with crayon candles.  This doesn't cause any harm, but will cause the candle to no longer burn due to the additives in crayons.  Especially cheaper crayons.  Another benefit to the tea lights. 

 

 

A great gift idea for your favorite teacher :)

 

It was a great afternoon with the girls with lots of fun and laughter.  The best part was watching them unwrap them, and be excited about how they turned out.

 

What did you do on the long holiday weekend?

Blessings,

Dennae