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| Twig Candles with
Tom |
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| Making homemade candles offers a
host of creative possibilities. One idea is to create
tapers that resemble the texture and shape of twigs—a
project that requires an inexpensive molding kit and
some basic supplies. Martha Stewart Living style editor
Tom Tamborello recommends using straight twigs with
unusual characteristics such as interesting bumps and
bark patterns. |
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| Technique |
| Making a Twig
Candle |
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Twig, at least 10 inches long and
roughly the diameter of a taper candle
Utility
knife
Hammer and nail
Smooth-On silicone
mold-making rubber kit
PVC pipe, at least 10 inches
long
Jigsaw
Masking tape
Quick cap
Beeswax
Length of candle
wick
Clothespin |
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| 1. Cut the twig to a length of
about 10 inches. Be sure to get as straight a cut across
the top as possible. (If you’re making more than one,
choose a variety of twigs that vary in surface texture
and slightly in thickness.) Tap a nail into the top of
the twig to leave room for a wick. |
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| 2. Screw the twig to the inside of
a quick cap (quick caps are made to cover the ends of
PVC pipes). Use a screwdriver to tighten the band around
the cap, to secure the twig in place. Spray the wood
with the sealing agent included in the molding
kit. |
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| 3. Carefully cut the PVC pipe in
half lengthwise using a jigsaw, handsaw, or utility
knife, making sure the pipe is clamped down to prevent
it from rolling. Place the two halves back together, and
use masking tape to hold it in place. Place the pipe
over the twig, and use a screwdriver to tighten the
band. |
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| 4. Mix the rubber included in the
kit, following manufacturer’s instructions. Pour the
contents into the plastic tube, and allow it to harden
for 4 hours. Separate the two pieces of pipe, and remove
the rubber. Use the utility knife to cut a seam from the
top to bottom of the rubber on one side, cutting in to
the nail mark on the top of the twig. Remove the
twig. |
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| 5. Melt the beeswax in a
double-boiler heated to 160°F to 180°F. |
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| 6. Cut a length of wick to about 4
inches longer than the mold. “Prime” the wick by dipping
it into the wax and letting it dry. Insert the wick,
centered, into the candle. Secure the wick ends in the
cuts at the top and bottom of the mold. |
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7. Place the mold back into the PVC
pipe, tape the pipe together, and insert it into the
cap. Make sure there is a hole at the top of the mold to
pour the beeswax into. Tilt the mold slightly, and
slowly pour in the melted beeswax. Center the wick, then
clip a clothespin to the wick’s end to keep it straight.
Allow the candle to cool.
Note: As it settles, the
wax will sink; after approximately 30 minutes, top off
the wax in the mold, then remove it from the mold after
several hours. |
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| Special
Thanks |
Tom
Tamborello
Style editor
Martha Stewart
Living Omnimedia |
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| Sources |
Smooth-On silicone
mold making rubber kit
Smooth
On
800-762-0744 |
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Quick cap
Available at hardware stores |
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