Wax covered battery-operated candles are the latest and greatest in craft shop decor. With the exception of the flame, they look incredibly real, but they are not cheap. The tapered variety sells for about ten dollars each. They are designed to look old, and they are very easy to create. These unique decorative items can be made to sell at craft shows, to keep or to give as gifts to friends, co-workers or anyone on your gift list. Find out how to coat battery-operated candles with wax, and create unique new decor for decorating the home.
Unique Gifts for My Club
I recently made these candles to give as gifts to the ladies in my club, and they were absolutely delighted with them. I had observed someone dipping battery-operated taper candles at an outdoor craft show, and I knew I could improve upon their technique.
One of the ladies in my club had recently noticed this type of candle for sale at the Porter County Expo Center during their Shipshewana on the Road event, and it had a price tag of $10.99. A painted wooden candle holder surrounded by a sprig of faux pine was $3.00 extra. I could coat them for far less.
The ladies wanted to know how I made these beautiful battery-operated candles since they were unlike anything they had found in stores, and I gave them a quick explanation of how I was able to coat the candles and achieve good results. The process is really very easy, and although it takes a little practice, they turn out beautifully.
Necessary Supplies
To coat battery-operated candles with wax you will need four 6-inch battery-operated taper candles with flickering tips, one-half pound of plain candle wax, brown or creamy tan candle wax coloring, a metal can that is deep enough to almost cover the length of the battery-operated candles, a wooden craft stick for stirring and a candle wax thermometer. You will also need a double-boiler or another type of cooking appliance that can safely heat water on the countertop or stove.
I do not have a double boiler. I used a large empty metal can and a slow cooker to coat my battery-operated candles. This is actually a safe alternative to a double boiler since it does not produce a flame. It worked very well to melt the wax, and the mess was minimal.
I also did not have brown candle wax colorant, but I found something better. I used a burnt umber crayon instead. It combined very well with the wax, and it gave my battery-operated candles a unique aged appearance. This is exactly what I had hoped to achieve.
Procedure
For safety reasons, I do not recommend melting wax using any other method than those I have outlined. Heat the water to boiling, and turn the flame down to a medium setting before placing the wax chunks and colorant in the can. Allow the wax to melt completely, and blend in the colorant with a wooden craft stick. Once it reaches 175 degrees, turn off the flame and get ready to work very quickly. It is always easier with a little help.
My daughter helped coat and create the battery-operated taper candles that I gave to the ladies in my club. We began dipping and coating them one by one, and we had a ball with this project. The trick is to hold each one until the melted wax stops dripping, and this is why it is a good idea to have an extra pair of hands to help complete the project.
Place them in a candle holder to continue hardening after dipping. After the wax is solid, the battery-operated candles can be turned on when desired. Best of all they can be used to decorate the home all year long.
Source: My Observations of Battery-Operated Candle Dipping at an Outdoor Craft Show and Personal Crafting Experience
