Sassy sand candles

Hands-on time: A good hour or two, depending on how many candles you make at a time, and the preparation.
Total time: Add 3 hours hardening time to the hands-on time.
Skill: Easy and, with supervision, kid-friendly.
Cost estimate: $2.50 at most for each 5-inch diameter candle, and less than a dollar for the 3-inch (8cm) candles.

Materials & Tools

• Wax blocks (available at hardware and most grocery stores) or candle ends
• Old wooden spoon
• Double boiler
• Crayola crayons in assorted colours
• Candle wicks (available at craft stores)
• Small sticks, approximately 10-inches long (I used long fireplace wooden matches and cut the ends off)
• Sand
• Metal or plastic bowls varying in sizes and shapes 6 to 12 inches
• Scented oil or cubes (optional)
• Spray bottle

This is an excellent project to recycle all those old candle ends that you might have hanging around the house. It is inexpensive, easy and a great summer project to do at the cottage with older children. The professional results will blow you away. Do it in the morning and by the evening, the sand candles will be ready to decorate the patio, illuminate the deck, and captivate as your new centerpiece.

Put some sand in the larger bowl and, using the water bottle, spray it with water until the sand is completely humid. Then, form the candle shape by pressing a smaller bowl into the center of the damp sand. Remove the bowl and form a small sand lip around the sand shape with your hands.

Tie a small piece of candle-wick string to a stick and place over the center of the sand shape. Melt the wax in a double boiler over low heat. Add 3 to 5 wax crayons to give it colour, and 2 to 3 fragrance cubes or scented oil drops for fragrance. Gently stir with the spoon. Carefully pour the melted wax mixture into the sand shape. Allow the candles to take form at room temperature to harden for 2 to 3 hours. Remove the candles from the sand by gently pulling out the candle by the wick.

Tips

• Try using assorted shapes and sizes to create your unique sassy candles: squares, ovals, triangles, rectangles, hearts, etc.
• To make many smaller candles of 2 1/2 to 3-inches in diameter - wonderful for putting along the patio railing - I used my youngest son's sand box while it was still a little humid after a rainshower. These are a great idea for outdoor weddings, celebrations, and family reunions.
• I like to use Crayola crayons to add color because I find they have better color pigments over cheaper brands.
• Adding a little citronella oil to the candles will discourage summer's pesky little beasts.