Posts Tagged "Candles"

Square Foam Candle Holder

Posted in Crafts, Meeting Activities | 0 comments

I’ll be the first to admit that the words “foam” and “candle” don’t typically belong in the same sentence!  But in this case, there is actually a glass candle holder between the glass and the foam.  This is a great project for older girls who are more likely to be allowed to burn candles at home.  The design of papers and embellishments used can be altered to match any room decor, favorite color or theme, or holiday!

Want to share photos of your troop and finished Square Foam Candle Holder? Contact Us!

Materials NeededMaterials Needed:

DirectionsDirections:

  1. Place the glass votive holder on top of the craft foam block and trace with a pencil.  Use the serrated knife to cut on the traced line, cutting down approximately 2″.  Use a spoon to remove the foam from the cavity and shape it squarely.  Make sure the votive holder fits before moving on.
  2. Cut the base scrapbooking paper into two 6″ x 12″ pieces.  One side at a time, apply the glue to the block and wrap the paper around, smoothing to ensure there are no air pockets or wrinkles.  Glue the second piece around the other side and trim at the seam.
  3. Fold and glue the edges at the top and bottom of the block.  Cut at the corners to remove any excess.
  4. For the top and bottom of the block, cut two 5″ squares from the scrapbooking paper and glue to the top and bottom.  For the top, cut slits in a pie pattern on the back covering the opening of the block.  Glue and fold to the inside of the opening.  To line the opening, cut a 2″x9″ piece of paper.  Apply the glue and inser the paper.
  5. Attach the grosgrain ribbon around the base of the block to accent, overlapping the ends.
  6. Replace the glass votive holder into the block.  To add another design touch, display your foam block on top of contrasting fabric, furniture, or paper to really pop.

Safety TipsSafety Tips!

  1. Adults should supervise the use of the serrated knife.
Read More

Ice Candles

Posted in Crafts, Meeting Activities | 0 comments

This was one of my most memorable projects while at camp, and one of the super easiest!  It sticks out in my memory because we made traditional dipped candles every year at camp, but this was something new and different.

Want to share photos of your troop and finished projects? Contact Us!

Materials NeededMaterials Needed:

DirectionsDirections:

  1. For larger candles, wash and dry the inside of a wax-lined milk carton.  For smaller candles, use wax-lined paper cups.  They should be clean enough out of the package that you won’t need to wash them first.
  2. Use or make a tapered (dripped) candle to use as the center to avoid having holes around the wick.
  3. Break wax into chunks and estimate how much you’ll need to fill half of the carton. Too much is always better than not enough.
  4. Make a double boiler by putting about an inch of water in a saucepan. Set a clean coffee can upright in the water.
  5. Set the heat to low and melt the wax in the coffee can.
  6. Add dye chips if you want colors. (you can substitute old crayons pieces)
  7. Fill the carton with ice cubes.
  8. Pour the melted wax on top of the ice.
  9. Let it cool.
  10. Pour out the water.
  11. Tear away the carton.
  12. Wait a few days before burning the candle – it needs time to dry.

Safety TipsSafety Tips!

  1. Always have adult supervision around hot wax.
  2. An adult should operate the double boiler.
  3. Steps 9-12 can be done by the troop leader between meetings since there may not be time during one meeting.  If in a camp setting, you can hold onto the candles until the groups’ next arts & crafts time.
Read More

Dipped Candles

Posted in Crafts, Meeting Activities | 2 comments

I remember making dip candles for as long as I can remember.  Whether at a summer troop meeting or most often at camp, dip candles were a welcome craft that I loved.  It’s a remarkably easy process that even the younger girls can do with some supervision.  All materials are available at your local craft store and are relatively inexpensive.  You can even substitute the wax with old broken crayons, though they do have a distinct smell to them.

Remember that many times these candles are not intended for practical use – the girls put a lot of time into dipping them in the different colors to make creative layers and shapes.  These are best kept on a shelf and dusted off once in a while as a camp keepsake!

Materials NeededMaterials Needed:

  • ½ lb. paraffin wax, plain
  • Old wooden spoon (don’t plan on using it with food again)
  • metal coffee cans (one for each color you plan to make)
  • a pot full of water large enough to hold the coffee cans (you’re making a double boiler, here)
  • A heat source – this can be your stove, a camp stove, or portable burners.
  • wicks, your choice of length (1″ of wick makes about a 1″ candle)
  • coloring chips (you can use color chips or liquids bought at your craft store or use old crayons with the papers removed)

DirectionsDirections:

  1. Most of the time the plain paraffin wax comes in blocks, so chop it up into smaller pieces (about 1″) for faster, easier melting.
  2. Fill the pot with water and heat on medium to a gentle boil.
  3. Place the wax into the coffee can and carefully insert it into the water.
  4. Stir the wax until it is completely melted.  If you have a thermometer, the temperature should be 160°F.
  5. Turn the heat down; keep the water warm enough to keep the wax melted and about the same temperature.
  6. Add the coloring a little at a time until you’ve reached the shade of the color you want.  You want the melted wax to be a shade darker than your final result because it will lighten up a little when it’s dry.
  7. Repeat steps 1-6 simultaneously if you want to prepare different colors.
  8. While an adult has been preparing steps 1-6, the younger girls can be cutting their wicks to the desired lenghts.  There are metal discs you can buy in the candle aisle at the craft store to start the candles on, or you can just tie a small knot into the bottom end of the candle.
  9. Be sure to leave an extra inch on the wick for extra finger space to hold while dipping.  The excess can be cut off once the candle cools.
  10. To start the candle, dip the wick in the wax for a few seconds to build it up around the knot.
  11. Continue dipping the wick into the wax until you’ve built up your desired candle.  Leave at least 30 seconds in between dips for the wax to begin drying, or else you’ll end up dipping for a long time and just remelting the same layer.
  12. Once your candle is done but still warm, an adult can take a sharp knife and cut off the bottom to create a level sitting surface for the candle.  Another technique is to set the candle on a flat surface and mold the still warm wax slightly to form a base.
  13. Set the candles aside to dry and set for a few hours.  If this activity is done at camp, it’s best to let the girls have them later in the afternoon or the next day.  If done at a troop meeting, you can either give the warm candles to the parents who pick them up to continue drying or pack them up carefully and give the finished candles to the girls at the next troop meeting.

Safety TipsSafety Tips!

  1. Never leave the girls unattended with the hot wax or sharp knife.
  2. Never leave the hot wax alone.
  3. Do not heat the wax above 275°F.
  4. Never let wax come in contact with flames. If you develop a wax fire, treat it as you would a grease fire. Do not throw water on it. Use a fire extinguisher (type ABC) or if it is contained in a pan, cover with a lid, extinguish any heat source and leave the lid in place until the area has cooled.
  5. Always use the double boiler water method to reduce the risk of wax fires.
  6. Remember to replenish the water in the pot as it evaporates keeping the wax melted.
  7. Do not pour the wax down the drain; it will block them.

Remember that the wax can be reused for candles at another time – that’s the beauty of using old coffee cans instead of pots for the double boiler.  Just let the wax cool and dry inside and set them aside where children can’t get to them.  The next time you’re ready for candle making, use an old chisel or ice pick and chop up the wax in the can for easier remelting.

Another great method that I learned once at camp is making ice candles, but we’ll leave that for another time 🙂

shopQuick Shopping for This Project

Read More