submitted by Sissy Marcantel
I had a great idea while getting my Christmas decorations out of the shed last year! My husband always seemed to put my Christmas candles up and then when I would unpack them every year they were usually melted and lopsided in their containers, or had melted and dripped all over.
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So, I came up with the idea to gather up all the candles I had with little wax left or that had melted. Then I cut them up; after removing the tabs, wicks, debris, and cooked them down in a heat resistant pot set in a saucepan of boiling water and used the melted wax to pour my own new candles.
I have experimented with different colors, adding scent and using different molds for them with vegetable oil wiped in the inside of the molds for easy removal. You can also dip the new wicks in the melted wax and let them dry so they will be stiff and easier to place.
You can also strain the melted wax if there is too much debris that needs removing, and you can also use crayons to add extra color and fill in.
I have also given the new candles out as homemade gifts that didn't cost more than the new tabs and wick.
You can truly get your money's worth out of old candles, and I don't know about everyone else, but I don't mind weird, multi-colored candles!
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