Sand Candle
SUPPLIES:
Sand
Cylinder Form (shape of candle)
Wax #30001672
Liquid Candle Dye
Candle Wick
Thermometer #30001670
Pencil
Double Boiler
Paintbrush
DIRECTIONS:
Melting the wax:
Place wax in a double boiler over medium heat. A 1-lb. wax brick
will yield a
4-inch tall, 3-inch wide pillar candle. Monitoring with a candy
thermometer,
heat wax to 175 degrees for a light dusting of sand, 190 degrees
for a thick sand crust.
To test color, dip a wooden craft stick into the wax; remove,
and allow to dry.
Creating the mold:
Combine sand with water by mixing with your hands until it packs
firmly enough to hold an imprint. Cover the bottom of a
container with several inches of damp sand. Set the mold on top,
and pack additional sand tightly around it, making sure it stays
upright.
Grip the mold firmly, and carefully ease it straight up and out
of the sand. If the sand walls crumble, mix in a little more
water and start over. Use a cotton wick longer than the candle,
and dip it in melted wax to stiffen it. Use a pencil to make a
hole in the bottom of the mold. Place one end of the dry wick in
the hole, and bury it using the pencil.
Creating the Candle:
Pour the wax in a slow, steady stream. The first part of the
pour is crucial because the wax will make a dent in the sand if
poured too fast. Wax cools quickly, so if you're making more
than one candle, return wax to heat between pours.
Let the candle set until completely cool (overnight is best),
and remove it. Dust off excess sand with a paintbrush, and use
scissors to cut off the nub of excess wick and wax at the base.
Hint:
For the forms, glass bottles and other objects are great for
making impressions in the sand. The hotter the wax, the more
sand is absorbed into the surface before it hardens. Our candles
have almost no sand crust once wiped with a dry paintbrush.
