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Cold weather and candlelight go together like that old
horse and carriage, so it's sort of fitting that winter
offers readymade molds for good, earthy candles.
Snow is a natural mold for the pouring of candles. You can
make any shape or size you want, and every piece is a one
of a kind original. Unusual forms even undercuts are no
problem, because a finished candle doesn't have to slip out
of a rigid mold once it has hardened, you can just dig it
out of its drift!
Ice can be used to make some good forms, too, though you
have to work a little harder to get it ready for your wax.
On the other hand, all you have to do to start an ice mold
is set a container of water outside to freeze so it's
really a pretty easy process.
Cold weather candles don't have to be made on a frozen,
blowy hillside. You can work either directly in the outside
snow or gather a bucketful and bring it inside where it's
warm. Inside is more comfortable, of course, but you do
have to work a little faster so your mold won't melt in mid
project.
Just about everybody knows the basic materials needed for
candle making: treated wax or remelted candles, good
quality wicking rather than string or twine, wax base dyes,
and oil base scents. You should already be familiar with
these necessities of candle craft before you start
splashing wax around in the snowdrifts. (If you need
information on simple candle making, see "More on Candle
making" in MOTHER NO. 13. Better yet, order Contemporary
Candle making by William E. Webster, available from any
good bookstore or MOTHER'S Bookshelf.)
The wax for snow and ice molded candles does not have to
reach a particularly high temperature so long as it's
completely molten and hot enough for the dye to mix well.
To make your snow mold, simply dig out the shape you want
and pack and smooth the inside wall. (If there are holes in
the surface, wax will run through and you'll lose some or
end up with irregularities that you'll have to remove
later.)
Pour the hot wax into the impression and, as soon as the
edges and top of the pour become opaque, insert a piece of
wire a straight length of coat hanger will do nicely
wherever you want the wick to go. Once the wire is firmly
hardened into the wax (which will be much faster than for
an ordinary mold due to the low temperature of the snow)
lift or dig the candle out and let it harden completely.
Then remove the wire, insert your wick, and pour in
additional wax as necessary to anchor the wicking. Voila! A
candle with a textured surface and an unusual shape!
