For a quick and pretty Thanksgiving display, choose a collection of Fall-colored taper candles. Group them in mis-matched holders on a sideboard or the center of your table, with or without a runner (a tapestry-look would be gorgeous). You might sprinkle some rich colored leaves or snowflakes the children have cut from folded paper among them, or lay stems of silk flowers here and there.
Another idea is to cut the tops from miniature pumpkins and squash, hollow them out and then coat the flesh with lemon juice to prevent discoloration. Next, place a scented votive candle in each one. Voila! a use for the mini-fruit! Or you could just pile the fruit into a pretty basket with some tiny indian corn and tuck in a bow.
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"There will be a time when you think everything is finished. That will be the beginning."~~Louis L'Amour
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Article #6 in a series
Here are some pictures of mini baby at 5 months. For comparisons scroll back to 5-27 post and through June. Pretty amazing!! ~~~
And here's a thought for today; it's an old Zen saying: "Move and the way will open."~~~
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Would you like to have a lovely candle scent in your car? Here's how:
- Choose a votive candle and trim the wick off at the top to discourage any attempt to light it. Or, you might try to remove the wick altogether, working from the bottom where there should be a wick-holder. This, however, can be difficult with well-made votives.
- Place the candle in a container strong enough and large enough to hold the wax should it melt.
- Then simply place it into a cup holder in your car. Heat, especially sunshine, will release the fragrance. AND, you have no annoying little doodad swinging from your rear-view.
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What kind of candle burns the longest?
- I think most of us know that candlelight is soothing to our nerves and also keeps us focused on others who are sharing the moment.
- But did you know that when beeswax candles burn they clean the air in your home? Like an air purifier, they release negative ions that clean up mold spores, dust, pollen, even bacteria and other stuff that can trigger allergies and asthma.
- Beeswax candles also burn longer than other types of wax.
Article #5 in a series
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Regardless of how you acquire your candles - make them yourself, receive as gifts, or purchase - they need complimentary holders. The holders must not not only enhance the beauty of your display, but also contribute to safe burning. Of course, we all know we should never leave burning candles unattended! Not even jar candles!
There are many beautiful glass holders for tapers available in retail stores, as well as thrift shops, flea markets and yard sales. You will also find ceramic, metal and even wooden holders, from single candle size to elaborate candelabras. And if you find one you especially like but it has surface damage - think spray paint! You might even have some glass bottles or bud vases that would make interesting candle holders. Many holders lend themselves to added decorations, so be creative, but be careful to keep flamables away from the flame.
Large figural candles do well simply sitting on a pretty plate or a trivet which also protects your surfaces from wax marks. If your candle needs more height, you might consider a 'spike' holder with 'scroll' feet. These also work well with big thick pillar candles which then lend themselves to much creative decorating.
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4th article in a series.
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And it's a great time to display creative candles. These 7 3/4" jack-o-lanterns were poured in a two-part plastic mold. The witch hats first in black (which have faded some as you can see in the picture) and then re-poured and partially cured to prevent mixing of the colors, before casting the pumpkins in orange. The faces were applied with acrylic paint.
An old basket, recyled, works well to show off a witch from the thrift store, silk flowers and candy-container jack-o-lanterns.
Article #3 in a series
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Here are some ideas from past experience. They are wax, but cannot really be considered candles or even pomanders because they have no wicks or scent.
The Madonna is poured in a two-part mold without wicking. There is a small indenture on a ledge on the back to insert a very tiny candle, such as a birthday cake size. Makes a pretty glowing "halo" effect. She stands 11 1/2" tall so is quite impressive.
The nude is a bit more complicated. The original candle, cast in a two-part mold was first carved, then used as the model for a plaster mold. The mold is bulky and difficult to work with; let me just say that all conditions need to be perfect or else!
The nude can be made with a wick but I have not burn tested any. This particular one was an experiment. She is over 13" tall.
Mrs. Butterworth was cast in a glass syrup bottle and properly cured, then my husband wrapped her in a thick towel and broke away the glass. I painted the hair, hat, collar, cuffs and apron with melted crayons. Facial features and buttons are acrylic paint. She is missing an eyebrow and her lipstick but that can be fixed. As you can see from the pictures, the front is quite faded. (Since inserting a wick before pouring into such a small space would have been nearly impossible, I opted to attempt it after, and then feared damaging her, thus no wick.) Mrs. Butterworth is about 9 1/2" tall.
And there are my three ladies!!
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Article #2 in a series
Some years ago I had a small home-based candle crafting business. What a joy is was to create beautiful molded candles and decorate them. The smell of the wax, even without additional scent, is still alluring. Of course back then the wax was petroleum based or beeswax. (I knew nothing of soy wax and still need to finish researching that subject.)
I took a correspondence course, doing all of the experiments, learning where to get the best wax, wick, dye, scents and all things candle. I amassed probably a hundred different molds which I still have, but the years no doubt have taken a toll on at least some of them.
Also in my small inventory is a bit of wax, some dye, wicking, scent and various gadgets needed for two- part molds and the like. Some of the decorating craft items have been used in other projects or for children's art work, but I still have sheets of beautifully colored beeswax, both waffled and smooth. I was never good at rolling beeswax candles; they were either too loose and wouldn't burn well or didn't look good because I smashed them trying to tighten them up.
I hope to be able to begin again!! I will write about each project whether it succeeds or fails. Til then.
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Article #1 in a series.
