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	Ice Candles

See the Candles Chapter for more instructions, hints, tips, and ideas.

Use the general instructions for molded candles. Photos of the molds are shown on this page also.

These candles look like Swiss cheese. They are so easy and fast to make they are a hit with the kids of almost any age. These candles are delicate, so be careful when handling. Hold them by the base where the wax is more solid.

It only takes about 10-15 minutes to make them if you have the wax melted before hand. Then they need to cool for about 45 minutes before you take them out of the mold. The ice helps the wax cool faster and there's no dimple caused by the shrinking wax.

Use the small half pint milk cartons. Our school uses these every day for lunch so there is an almost unlimited supply. Have someone from school save the cartons for you. Open the carton top completely, wash them, and let them dry.

The two 1/2" strips of wood are used to set the molds on while the candles harden. You can use ones several feet long to set the whole group on. It's much easier and more stable than doing pieces for each individual. Use a permanent marker to put the owner's initials on the carton, so they don't get mixed up.

Ice cubes work best. Crack them into pieces with a mallet or hammer to give it more random shapes. Use only the pieces that are about the size of a dime or marble. Too small and the wax won't be able to fill in the spaces between the ice. Too large and the candle will be too delicate and break easily.

You'll need a piece of wax about 2"x2"x2" for each candle.

• Poke a hole in the middle of the bottom of the carton using a nail. Push and twist the nail trying not to deform the carton. The hole needs to be slightly larger in diameter than the wick.
• Push a wick into the hole and leave about 1/2" hanging out the bottom of the carton.
• Push clay or play dough tightly around the wick to seal the hole.
• Center the wick and clip the end to a craft stick to hold it tight. The wick should be straight.
• Add the cracked ice to the carton taking care to keep the wick in the center of the carton. Don't fill the carton past the crease in the top of the carton, leave the ice about 1/4" below the crease.
• Don't let the ice start to melt or the puddles of water will deform the top of the candle. Pour the wax into the carton. The wax should completely cover the ice, but should not be over the crease near the top of the carton - this would leave a mark in the side of the candle.
• Make sure the wick is centered after you finish pouring.
• Set the edges of the carton on the strips of wood so the clay is between the strips and off the ground. This keeps the candle level. Let the wax sit for about 45 minutes to harden.
• Carefully peel off the carton. These candles are delicate so be gentle and hold them by the base. The ice will have mostly turned into water so this will be a bit messy. Do it over the sink or outside.
• Remember that you made the candle upside down, so the top of the candle is where the clay was. Trim off the wick on the bottom of the candle. Level the candle using a knife or set it on a hot flat aluminum plate.