This week's fun activity... Ice Candle

Ice candles are a fun to make and result in a fascinating creation. They are made by pouring hot wax over ice in a candle mold.  The ice melts away and leaves pockets and holes inside the candle, like Swiss cheese.  The result is a wonderful, delicate, lacy candle – beautiful with or without being lit.   For this week’s activity, here’s how to make your candles…

Materials: Cardboard milk or juice cartons Taper candle Wax (beeswax, paraffin, soy, or use old candles and crayons!) Ice Double boiler, crockpot, or candle wax melter Rimmed pan or container to catch water

Step 1 - Cut and Clean Remove the top of a carboard milk or juice carton. Any size carton will work, as long as the carton itself is sturdy and the inside is waxed. Milk and juice cartons, since they hold liquid, work well for this. The bottom part of the carton will become your candle mold! You may make a candle as tall or as short as you wish by the height of your carton.

Step 2 – Add Taper Candle The taper candle forms the backbone of your ice candle.  Cut the taper candle to a length slightly below the height of your carton (about ½ inch). Place the taper candle in the center of the carton. Tip: to secure the taper candle in place, stick a flat-headed pushpin through the bottom of the carton into the candle.

Step 3 - Melt Wax Candle waxes melt at a relatively low temperature, (about 150 degrees F or less) – much less than boiling water. Slowly heat your wax in a double boiler or crockpot until it melts.  You may also melt crayons or old candles, the process is the same! Simply remove crayon wrappers or break apart old candles to remove the wick and metal base. Remove from heat once melted.   Notes: Wax is difficult to clean so use a double boiler or crockpot dedicated to crafts or use an alternative container in a water bath. As a general rule, if your wax begins to have an unpleasant odor or changes color, it is overheating and needs to be immediately removed from heat. NEVER directly heat wax!  Doing so may cause it to start on fire.

Step 4 – Ice Place your carton on a rimmed sheet or container to add crushed ice or cubes to your cardboard candle mold.  Larger ice pieces will give larger holes in your finished candle while smaller pieces will give smaller holes. You could even mix snow with ice chunks!  Add enough ice to reach the top of your taper candle, leaving about ½ inch to the actual top of your mold.  Make sure the taper candle is centered and upright in your mold.

Step 5 – Pour Carefully pour the melted wax into cardboard mold. Try pouring close the center, near the taper candle. This will help secure it to the new wax, give your candle a solid core, and also limits melting too much ice around the exterior.  Fill your mold to the top of your taper candle!

Step 6 – Cool Let your candle cool and harden. Normally this process takes hours, but the ice will help speed up the process. Depending on the size, it may start to harden in as little as 15 minutes.

Step 7 – Drain As your candle cools and hardens, tip it to drain the melted water from the candle.  Repeat this process over an hour or two to remove as much water as possible as well as let your candle completely cool and harden.

Step 8 – Remove Carton Once your candle is drained, carefully tear away your cardboard candle mold. Some parts of the candle may break off; this is okay - it adds to the overall look!

Step 9 – Finish The top part of the candle mold will typically have more wax and may be a more stable bottom to your candle. But, either end of the candle will work. You may need to dig out the end of the taper candle to find and light the wick!

2021 Fun Learning with FBBG!

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BOERNER BOTANICAL GARDENS UPDATE The Gardens are now closed for the season. The Education and Visitor Center is open. Hours are 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. MASKS ARE REQUIRED! Gift Shop Opening to be announced. Be sure to watch for announcements on fun learning activities for all ages, and for updates on our classes and programs, hosted by FBBG - all year - indoors and out!

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