Like little boats, these candle lights float due to the fact that of the way they are made. They’re flat on the bottom and not too thick, so they won’t tip or turn over. The molds for making them are most likely residing in your kitchen cabinets today: Muffin tins, cookie cutters, and tart molds have just the right shapes for the job. Not just that, however they make it easy to end up dozens of candle lights at a time. All you have to do is melt the wax, pour it into the baking pans, include the wicks, and set the timer. Before long, you’ll have 12, 24, 36, or more little lights to brighten your table (or give as presents). You can make the candles from used tapers, pillars, or votives you have at home, or if you prefer, go back to square one with wax and dyes from a crafts shop. Either way, your vibrant creations will quickly be bobbing in their bowls, keeping business with the moon– and, if you’re lucky, with some fireflies, too.
For muffin tins, the size of the tins will determine the burning time of your candle lights. A variety of candles in tonal shades– such as warm reds, oranges, and yellows, like the ones we used– look terrific together.
If you prefer to go the cookie cutter path, use simple, broad shapes to make sure the candles drift. To turn a cutter into a mold, run masking tape along the edge, snip at the corners, and flex the tape so the cutter sits flat on the foil. With a set of graduated cookie cutters, you can make stars in numerous sizes at the same time. Float some in little bowls, and set others in shallow meals of water. Organized on a long runner, they will provide your table with a galaxy of mild light. We like beeswax for these candles as it has a more thick consistency when melted, which prevents it from leaking out of the molds.
What You’ll Need
Products
Muffin tins or other molds
Petroleum jelly or nonstick cooking spray
Paraffin or beeswax candle lights, or color chips and wax bricks
Double boiler
Candy thermometer
Craft sticks, for stirring
1 1/4- inch metal-tabbed tea-light wicks
Guidelines
Coat molds with petroleum jelly or cooking spray and reserved.
Location utilized candles in a double boiler over just-simmering water (never ever over direct heat; wax can catch fire if too hot). As wax melts, stir it and get rid of old wicks. If utilizing wax bricks, melt and add color according to package directions.
When wax reaches putting temperature level (150 degrees for paraffin, 160 for beeswax; if you don’t have a sweet thermometer, wait till a thin film forms at edges); put into molds. Thoroughly lower in the new wicks.
After candles harden (1/2 hour to 2 hours), lift them out by the wicks. If they withstand, put the molds in the freezer until they pop out quickly. Rub out any haze with paper towels.
