Snow Candles

From: "Nature Crafts For Kids: by Gwen Diehn & Terry Krautwurst

Materials Snow Paraffin or beeswax A tin can A pan Old crayons or old colored candles Candle wicking Waxed paper A stick An oven mitt

Instructions:

1. Get an adult to help you with this step. Place the paraffin or beeswax in the tin can. Pour 2 inches of water into the pan, and add the can of paraffin. Heat the pan on the stove until the water boils, then turn the burner down so that the water simmers but doesn't boil. Carefully watch the paraffin as it melts. Stir in old crayons or old pieces of colored candles if you want your snow candles to have color. Never put paraffin directly in a pan over the burner. The paraffin may catch fire if you do. Always use the double boiler method described here.

2. As soon as the wax melts, turn off the stove. Dip the candle wicking in the melted wax, so that it is fairly stiff. Lay it out straight on a piece of waxed paper to dry.

3. Go outside to prepare the snow mold. Find a sot where the snow is at least a foot deep and cod and dry enough to hold its shape when you poke a hole in it.

4. Use a stick to poke a hole a few inches deep in the snow. This will be your candle mold. Experiment with different shapes of holes. When you are satisfied with the shape, go back inside and turn the stove on again. It won't take long for the water to get hot again and for the wax to melt if it has hardened a bit.

5. Using an oven mitt or hot pad, carry the can of melted wax and the piece of candle wicking outside to the snow mold. Dangle the wick down the center of the mold, and carefully pour the melted wax around the wick into the hole. Hold onto the wick for a few minutes until the wax cools and hardens enough to hold the wick straight.

6. Let the candle cool for about an hour.

7. Carefully dig the candle out of the hole by digging around it with your hands. Bring the candle inside and rinse it off under cool water.

8. Trim the wick to about an inch. Carefully trim or scrape off any bums on the bottom of the candle so it will stand up.

9. Make an arrangement for a table or mantle by cutting a few evergreen branches and using them to surround the base of the candle. Try nestling several candles in some evergreen branches.

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