Making Shell Candles

Want a nice summery table accent that will bring a bit of the ocean into your home? Make a few shell candles! They're simple, need only a few supplies and can be done in less than an hour or two (depending on how many candles you make).

Supplies:

- Larger shells that have at least enough depth of a tea light wick....or, about 1/2 inch.
- Wicks. These can be stripped from old broken taper candles, birthday candles, votive candles, or you can purchase them at a store. Your choice :)
- Melting pot. DO NOT use a melting pot that will EVER be used for anything other than wax melting. Metal or non stick... Your choice. But remember to never use the pot for anything other than melting wax.
- Cookie sheet lined with a paper towel layer (we use this as our 'drying rack').
- Candle wax of your choice. (You can melt down old pillar candles, or purchase wax, your choice)
- Wooden skewers (or metal ones, your choice)
-Scotch Tape (optional)

Ok, let's get started!

Step 1: Make sure the wax is chopped or broken into small pieces (the smaller the pieces, the faster it will melt, cutting down on time spent on the project).

Step 2: Make sure your shells are as clean as possible and thoroughly dried. Once they are, place them neatly on your cookie sheet lined with a layer of paper towels.

Step 3: Begin SLOWLY melting the wax, stirring constantly. This allows for even melting and prevents a wax film from forming on top of the melting wax. Once the wax is liquid, turn the heat down to LOW.

Step 4: CAREFULLY tape a length of wick to the UNDERSIDE of your skewer (if you are using very long wicks, wrapping one end around the skewer will be fine). With the wick hanging down from the skewer, lay each skewer flat across the top of each shell, so that the wick touches the bottom of the inside of each shell.

Step 5: Once your skewers are in place, you can begin SLOWLY pouring your hot wax into each shell. Remember, safety first...if you have to transfer the wax into a smaller, more manageable pouring container, do so. Do not risk burning yourself.

Step 6: Once all the wax is used and the shells are filled, turn the burner off and remove the pot from the burner. If you want to, make sure you have hot boiling water ready to pour into the melting pot to help keep the wax loose and free from the edges. Otherwise, wait until the wax cools completely and simply scrape it off the sides of the pot (this is a bit of a pain in the neck, but it works great).

Step 7: DO NOT move the candle tray or the skewers until the wax is COMPLETELY dry. This will take between 4 and 6 hours, depending on the depth and size of each shell.

Step 8: Once the wax is set and cooled, remove the wick from the skewers... Place the candles in a nice area and enjoy :)