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Project 1-
Fire Starters
Here is what you'll need before getting started:
-Old muffin pan,
-Old double boiler type pot,
-Approximately 2 cups of old pot-pourri; pine cones, shredded paper or cardboard,
-Approximately 3-4 used, pillar (candles) 4-5" tall,
-Hot plate or stove-top (I prefer a hot plate; less possibility of making a mess in your kitchen),
-Many sheets of old Newspaper
-Old wooden spoon
-Scissors
-Oven mitt
Directions:
-First of all, choose your workplace ahead of time. I would suggest a little corner in the basement where it wouldn't really matter if you got wax on the floor.
-I always add paper to the floor area and the counter or table area.
-Setup your hotplate away from your paper covered area.
-Place water in the bottom part of your double boiler, add 3-4 pillars (candles) in the top part of the double boiler.
-Turn hotplate to high, being careful to always keep an eye on your melting candles.
-Meanwhile, prepare your old muffin pan by adding either your shredded paper, cardboard, pine cones or pot-pourri. You can fill the muffin cups about 1/2.
-Once your wax has melted, take your wooden spoon and retrieve the wicks from the melted pillars and place them on the newspapered area.
-After the wick has cooled, cut into approximately 1-1/4" pieces and set aside. You should have enough wick, with lots to spare, from the 3 pillars to make 12 (1-1/4") pieces.
-When you're ready, take the wax and gently poor into each one of the muffin tins, one by one.
-Let cool until the wax begins to set and you can touch it without your finger going through.
-Quickly place your wicks (the hardened wax on top will hold your wick up).
-Leave them set until very hard. *You can speed up the process by putting them in the freezer for a couple minutes.
-Pop them out, display them in a basket next to the fireplace with long matches or wrap them and offer them as gifts. They look great and they work like a charm.
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