Figure A Figure B Figure C Figure D Figure E Figure F Figure G Figure H Figure I

Suzanne McNeil, owner of Design Originals and the author of numerous craft books, explains simple and creative techniques for making romantic multicolored layered candles with powdered wax.

Materials:

At least three colors of wax crystals in boiling bags
Drinking glass, goblet or jar
Design tools, such as Popsicle sticks, spoons or cardboard
Candle wicks
Ice

1. Fill the glass or goblet half full with one color of wax crystals. It doesn't matter if you start with a light or a dark color, as long as you plan to have contrast in the design (figure A).
   
   
2. Shake the glass or tap it down on the work surface to flatten the top layer of the crystals.
   
   
3. Add a second color of wax crystals (figure B).
   
   
4. Using a tool such as a Popsicle stick or the handle of a plastic spoon, make some designs in the wax crystals. For example, run the tool down the side of the glass, and pull it toward the center. Repeat the motion every 1/4" or 1/2" all the way around the inside of the glass or jar (figure C).
   
   
5. Add a third layer of colored wax crystals, filling the glass almost full (figure D).
   
   
6. Use the tool to make a design between the third and second layers, using the same technique described in step 4 (figure E).
   
   
7. Alternatively, you can pour all three layers, then run a tool down the side of the glass or jar to create a different kind of design (figure F). You can't make a mistake here.
   
   
8. To coat an uncoated wick, you'll need hot wax. First, tie off any bag of wax crystals and drop it into boiling water. When the wax has melted, remove and open the bag, then dip the uncoated wick into the hot wax. Straighten the wick, and allow it to drip dry.
   
   
9. Place the wick down into the center of your wax crystal pattern, and cut off the excess, leaving a 1/2" wick (figure G). Tap the glass on a hard surface again to flatten the crystals.

Hold a warm iron about 3" above the powdered crystal candle for about 4 minutes. The top 1/4" will melt along the top layer and seal the design (figure H).

Additional Ideas:

• Make an ice candle. Place ice cubes into the "mold." Then pour in hot wax. The ice will create holes in the wax as the wax hardens.

• To make a Santa Claus candle, begin with a red conical or cylindrical candle. Melt white powered wax crystals. Whip the melted wax just as you would whip cream. Then apply it onto the red mold, and glue on a little face (figure I).

Tips:

• Suzanne suggests using glasses or goblets that are tall and somewhat flared at the top. That shape makes it easier to pour the crystals and create the designs.

• If you don't like your finished design, all is not lost. Scramble the colors, and use the crystals as the center of another candle.

• Be creative. It's impossible to make a mistake!

RESOURCES :
Basic Steps to Candles
Author: Suzanne McNeil