Sweet Cherry Pie - a Recycled Candle Project for Pi Day.

This Pi Day make yourself a pie you can enjoy for weeks! I know it sounds too good to be true, but this eco-friendly little project is sure to satisfy any pie craving.

To make this recycled candle, you will need:
+ Candle stubs
+ A wick (I love wooden wicks, they make such a nice warm crackling sound)
+ A small glass jar, 4 oz. is a good size
+ Two glass jars you don't mind getting waxy
+ A serrated knife
+ A small sauce pot

Step 1: Chopping and Melting.

To get started, hunt around your house for some candle stubs. Choose one color of candle to form the crust (I chose a mixture of mango-colored and tan-colored candle stubs) and another color to form the pie filling. Be creative! You can use red wax to simulate cherry, purple for mulberry, blue for blueberry, etc.

Chop up your pie crust wax and add the chunks to a small mason jar. (A quick note about using your kitchen knives: your knife will get WAXY! To remove the wax you'll need to dip the knife in a pot of boiling water for a bit. Because of this it's a good idea to get a cheap knife from a thrift shop and have it be your designated craft knife). Fill your sauce pot about halfway and bring the water to a boil, then reduce to half-way. Gently set the wax-filled jar in the pot, and stir the wax chunks as they melt down. Use your knife to cut down large chunks to speed up the melting process. Once the wax is completely melted, remove the jar from the sauce pot.

Step 2: Forming the Pie Crust.

Pour about 1/4 in of the hot wax into the bottom of your candle jar. Place the wick in the center of the jar and hold it straight as the wax around it sets up. Allow this base layer to harden completely. You can place the jar of melted wax back into the hot water bath while you wait.

Next, pour another half inch of wax into the jar, and immediately begin the turn the jar slowly so that the wax builds up on the sides of the jar. Keep this up until all of the wax has been used up, you can gently blow on the liquid wax as you turn it to help it set up faster. You should now have a nice, fairly even "crust" built up on the wall of the jar. Set the candle aside so it can cool completely as you prepare the filling wax.

Step 3: Filling the Pie!

Chop up your candle bits which will make up the pie filling. Place the wax chunks in a separate slightly-larger jar and melt down in the same method as before. Once the wax is completely melted, pour the wax into the candle jar until it nearly reaches the top of the crust. Set aside to cool.

Step 4: Forming the Wax Lattice.

Melt down the remaining pie crust wax. While it is melting, line a small plate or large jar lid with plastic wrap and spray the plastic lightly with vegetable oil. Once the wax is melted, pour it onto the plastic sheet and allow it to set up slightly. Turn the wax out of the "mold" while it is still soft and flexible. Use your knife to cut the wax into small strips, and form a lattice pattern on top of the candle. If the wax cools to quickly and becomes too brittle to work with, melt it down again and repeat the process. Once the lattice is formed, use the remaining wax (it will have to be rather soft for this step) press a "crust" of wax around the diameter of the candle. Admire your work! Look how tasty and flaky it looks!