How to Make a Candy-Striped Candle

Basic wax mixtures and procedures used

Candy striped candles look fun and festive in birthday centerpieces. Deep red or green stripes put the Christmas cheer into holiday centerpieces.

You can view the finished centerpiece on the birthday candle centerpieces page.

You'll need:

•A 5 x 32cm, (2" x 12.8") acrylic mold
•Paraffin wax
•Stearin
•5cm wick
•Red candle dye
•2 metal pouring jugs
•A sturdy container, or bucket, (to tilt the mold in)

Instructions:

1. Cut a length of wick 42cm, (16.8") long.

2. Melt 1,350 kg, (2.97 lbs), of paraffin wax/stearin mixture. Prime the wick in the melting wax. Pour into a baking pan, and leave to cool down. When partially set, but still warm, slice into small blocks with a smooth-edged knife, and allow to set completely.

3. Melt 650g, (1.43 lbs), paraffin wax/stearin mix, and dye it a deep pink color. Pour into a baking pan, and leave to cool down. When partially set, but still warm, slice into small blocks with a smooth-edged knife, and allow to set completely.

4. Wick up the mold. Tilt the mold, by placing it at an angle in a container or bucket.

5. Heat up 50g, (1.66 oz) of the undyed wax, in a metal pouring jug, to 93˚C (199.4˚F).

6. Pour the wax into the mold, leave for 1 minute, and give the mould a sharp tap.

7. Melt 25g, (0.83 oz) of the pink wax in the second metal jug, and heat up to 93˚C (199.4˚F).

8. When the white layer has cooled down until soft and rubbery, (poking with a skewer or thermometer should leave an impression in the wax), pour the pink wax into the mold, and allow to set until rubbery.

Repeat the previous two steps, until the mold is full. Place the mold upright for the final step.

Make one 28cm (11.2"), one 24cm (9.6"), and two 20cm, (8") candles in the same way.

Back to Birthday Centerpieces and Candle Centerpiece Crafts pages.