Tutorial - Eggshell Candles Part 1

Easter is coming and here is a neat way to decorate with eggshell candles! There are a few different ways to make candles with eggshells. Today I will introduce you the first of different methods and types of eggshell candles.

Materials for parts 1 and 2: 
Whole eggs
Eggshell halves
Egg carton
Cotton wick
Wick tab (optional)
Sticky Tack or similar type putty
Tin can
Beeswax
Scissors

Take a clean tin can to use as a container to melt the wax in. Tin cans are great because you don't have to worry about cleaning the wax off the can when you are finished. Tin cans are also handy to use for pouring the wax as you can easily dent a spout for less mess.

 

Melt the wax in your tin can. You want to be careful when melting wax; it is important not to let it heat up too much. A safe way to melt wax is in a double boiler. By placing my wax tin in an old pot of water, I can easily and cheaply mimic a double boiler.

Egg Shell Candle #1

Save eggshell halves when using eggs. Wash the shells and let dry. Place the eggshell halves in the egg carton while you prepare your wicks. Cut wicks the approximate length you would need for each eggshell, but be generous. Over-estimate the amount you will need. Wicks will be trimmed when finished. If you don't have the metal wick tabs, that's okay! I will show you two different methods of how to place your wick.

 

 Dip the wicks into your melted wax. Let the wax cool for a couple seconds, then pull straight.

If you are using the wick tabs, place the wick with it's tab in the eggshell and cover with a bit of the melted wax. You may need to support the wick with a stick as the warm wax will soften the wax on the wick.

If you do not wish to use the wick tabs, simply fill the eggshell 3/4 of your final wax height and let cool until the top starts to harden.

Once the top is hardened a bit, take your waxed wick and poke it into the center. The wax underneath will still be liquid. The wick should be able to stand up in the wax.

Fill the eggshells the rest of the way using sticks as a support if the wicks start to droop.

Set aside and let cool completely. After several hours, when the wax is fully solidified, you may trim your wick down to about 1/4". Tune in next time when I show you how to make another type of eggshell candle in Part 2!

This post is written by Andrea Davis and originally appeared on www.weareboundtogether.com