Introduction: Recycled Candles, Into Art Flowers!

About: Women in STEM | ATL Mentor of Change | Start-up enthusiast | Bicycler | Toastmaster | YouTuber | Traveller | Creative Works; She/Her.

Here with this instructable, i provide a way to recycle old candles.

Step 1: Base Structure With Metal Wires!

Attached the step-by-step wise pictures of binding metal wires together to get a tree branch like structure.

Step 2: Outlining With Jute Threads!

I rolled over the jute thread, all over the metal structure.

Tied knot here and there so that the threads are tightly held to the metal structure.

Added white glue to prevent the ends of threads peeling out.

Step 3: Colouring the Tree Branch!

Now, the threaded structure looks more like tree branch we will have to colour it more or less similar to tree.

I chose shinning metallic bronze as it will be glossy and resemble the brown of it, with that of the tree.

Step 4: Adding Stem Like Structure to Tree Branch!

I used paper pins and tied its tip with black coloured thread to use for making knots(to resemble it as centre part of flowers).

Step 5: Preparing to Melt the Candles

Here are some of candles we did not use for years and some are dirt.

I removed dirt using cloth and used small knife to peel out the most dirty part.

After the candle is bit clean and to be used for my purpose, i sliced it across the candle to smaller pieces(so it is easy to melt quickly).

Step 6: Colouring the Candles!

For colouring the candles i am using smaller pieces of wax crayons.

I used an old vegetable grater and made the crayons to fine particles.

I separated the whole candle particles to small portions for each of the colours of my choice.

To the candle portions, i mixed the crayons pieces.

Step 7: Double Boiled Candle+crayon Mix, to Make It Liquidated

To the stove, i placed a heavy-bottomed pan with little amount of water.

Water required to boil, should NOT engulf the cup where the candle+crayon mix is placed. Else water gets mixed up with the content, whenever we move the pan.

As the water gets boiled, you will find that the candle+crayon gets melted. You may use wooden spoon to mix them during the process.

Once the candle+crayon is free flowing like a liquid(you may just use the wooden spoon and pour it to the same cup to see whether it is ready), we can switch off the stove.

Step 8: Steps to Be Noted, Before We Start to Make Flower Patterns!

To a wide opened cup, mix soap liquid(1 part) + water(2 part) well.

Keep a cup of ice water ready.

As the candle will soon set to room temperature, keep the cups placed in the hot water and use for your purpose. Else it will soon set and we may have to boil again.

And keep things ready, even before double-boil so that you can start the process as soon as the candle+crayons are liquidated.

IT IS BETTER TO USE LITTLE DEEPER & WIDER CUPS, AS THE WATER MAY GET EASILY MIXED WITH THE CANDLE WHEN WE MOVE THE PAN FROM THE STOVE.

Step 9: How to Make Flower Patterns? THE PROCESS.

Now, the melted candle is ready.

1. Dip the Thumb, Index, Middle and Ring finger leaving behind the small finger into the soap water. May be you could try with small finger for 5 petal pattern.

2. Now, dip the fingers into warm candle mix and quickly place it in the place where you would want the flower pattern to be fixed.


JUST FOR THE PURPOSE OF INSTRUCTABLE, I AM SHOWING FINGERS TO TAKE A SNAP. OTHERWISE, WE HAVE TO KEEP THE FINGERS AT THE DESTINED PLACE TO MAKE FLOWER PATTERN AS SOON AS THE DIP INTO CANDLE CONTENT IS DONE.


DO NOT KEEP MORE TIME, IN CANDLE MIX. IT WILL NOT BURN YOUR FINGERS BUT MORE TIME YOU KEEP IN CANDLE MIX THE FLOWER PATTERN GETS SET IN THE CANDLE MIX ITSELF AND NOT TO THE TREE BRANCH(AS HERE).

3. I placed the flower patterns to the stem like structure i created using paper pins. It is your choice to use it other places.

FABRIC MATERIAL WILL HAVE MORE GRIP OVER OTHER MATERIALS, AS HERE WE HAVE JUTE AND STEM MADE OF PAPER PINS.

Step 10: Show-case!

Recycled Speed Challenge

Participated in the
Recycled Speed Challenge