Introduction: Ice Luminary

About: I enjoy crafting, photography, gardening and cooking. I am an avid cooking contester and I have won several national contests.

Ice is a natural part of the Winter. I wanted to create a warm welcome to my home with a creative, icy, candle-lit greeting on a dark winter’s night. Since I have 2 different pans, I decided to make one for inside the house to be put on the dinner table and one for outside on my deck table or by my front door. If you have a Bundt pan hiding in your cupboard, you can bring it out to easily make an ice lantern. In addition to the pan, all you really need is water and candles! Since I couldn’t find just the right candles in my house for this project, I decided to make the candles too! Follow along with this Instructable to see how you can easily make this project!

Step 1: Supplies Needed

For the ice:

A bundt pan or any other pan with a hole in the middle

water

optional glitter

spoon

For the candles:

candle wax

wicks

scissors

containers for the candles (I used a ramekin and jiggers)

small pot

knife

wax paper

rubber bands

greenery or other decorations

room in your freezer (that can be the hard part!)

Step 2: Add Water

Fill your pans with water. Sprinkle in some glitter and stir. It's okay if it settles on the bottom because that will become the top!

Place pans in the freezer and allow to freeze for at least 24 hours.

Step 3: Arrange the Wicks

My wicks are long so I twisted the bottom of each one to sit in the containers for the candles.

Step 4: Melt the Wax

Place the wax in a small pot over low heat. Allow the wax to melt completely.

Step 5: Pour the Wax

Carefully pour the hot melted wax into each of your containers.

Step 6: Center the Wicks

Make a small hole in a square of wax paper. Center the hole over the wick. Place a rubber band, if needed, onto the wax paper to hold each wick in place. Let the candles sit on your counter for several hours until completely set.

Step 7: They Are Set!

Remove the rubber bands and wax paper. I am keeping the candles in the jigger glasses.

Step 8: Remove Large Candle

Bring water to a simmer in a medium size saucepan. Place the ramekin in the hot water. Wait a few minutes to see if the candle is coming away at the sides. You can tap the bottom of the ramekin to loosen the candle. Pictured is the candle after it was removed.

Step 9: Arrange Greenery

Cut pieces and arrange your greenery on dinner sized plates.

Step 10: Remove the Ice

Center each pan onto the greenery on the plates. As the ice melts just a little, it will plop out onto the plate. To make it come out quickly, place the pan in water that has been filled in your sink.

Step 11: On the Plates

Here is each of the frozen ice forms on their plates.

Step 12: Add Candles

Place a candle in the center of each ice form.

Step 13: Time to Light!

Use a match or a striker to light the wicks of the candles.

Step 14: They Are Finished!

Here is each luminary placed on my dining room table.

Step 15: At Night

Here are my luminaries outside on my deck table after dark.

I am very happy with how these have turned out and I am excited that I will be using them when my family comes for a visit! I think they will impress everyone who views them.

Thanks for viewing my Instructable! Let me know if you decide to make them for you to enjoy!!!

Winter Fun Challenge

Runner Up in the
Winter Fun Challenge