Recycled items

• old tin

Also needed

• dried twigs

• hot glue gun

1. Use the candle-making technique below for detail instructions, with a tin as your mould.
2. Decorate the tin by pasting small twigs to the outside of it with a hot glue gun.

Candlemaking

You will need

• sufficient quantity of old candle wax from broken or short candles
• safe heat source (ideally an electric hotplate as open flame is extremely dangerous near wax)
• old pot or container for melting wax
• thermometer
• moulds/containers (tins, glass or ceramic pots)
• pre-waxed wicks
• Kebab-sticks
• small sieve

Method

1. Break the wax into smaller pieces, then heat them in an old pot until melted. Remove old wicks and any debris with a small sieve. Return the pot to the heat source. Place a thermometer in the pot and measure the heat of the wax; it must not exceed 80 °C. Mixing too many colours or scents may result in an unpleasant appearance or odour.

2. Pour a drop of the liquid wax into the centre of your mould or container, then press a pre-waxed wick onto the soft wax drop. Keep it in position with the kebab-sticks. Wait for it to cool and solidify.

3. If the wax in your pot begins to solidify, reheat it to liquid form. Pour the liquid wax slowly into the mould until it’s level at the top.

4. Repeat this process until you have a smooth surface.

5. The new candle is ready for decorating.