Artisans and hobbyists make carved candles by dipping "core" candles quickly in a number of different colors of melted-wax vats. Then they use a warm cutting tool to shape the surface of the candle. As the tool cuts into the candle, it reveals the different colored waxes and creates a colorful piece of customized home decor. With just a few basic supplies, some of which you may already have in your home, you can build your own dipping tank and dip your own core candles at home. Even children can dip candles under the supervision of adults.
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Things You'll Need
Large, Cast Iron Or Heavy-Bottom Aluminum Soup Pot
4 2-Liter Pop Bottles With Tops Cut Off To Match The Height Of The Pot
4 Colors Of Candle Wax
4 Sealable Plastic Bags, Such As Ziploc, Filled With Clean Gravel Or Sand
Candle-Carving Cutting Tool
7-Inch Stoneware Dinner Plate
Core Candles, Number Of Your Choice
Step 1
Place a sealed bag filled with gravel in the bottom of each of the pop bottles, and fill the bottles three-fourths full with candle wax.
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Step 2
Place the stoneware plate in the bottom of the soup pot, place the pop bottles in the pot, and then fill the pot to within an inch of the rim with water. If the bottles try to float, empty the wax and place larger sand or gravel bags in the bottom of the bottles.
Step 3
Place the pan on the stove, or on an electric hot plate, and turn the heat on low to melt the wax.
Step 4
Watch for the wax to melt. As soon as the wax in the plastic containers has melted, you can begin dipping your core candles. Monitor the water level in the pot, and refill it as needed. Monitor the wax, and adjust the heat source so that the candle wax remains in a liquid state during the dipping process.
Tip
The ceramic plate in the bottom of the pot will keep the plastic bottles from resting on the bottom of the pot. The bottles could melt if in prolonged contact with the heated metal. The gravel in the bottom of the plastic bottles will keep the bottles from floating.