December 18, 2010

Christmas Gift Idea: Stamped Candles

I hope everyone is having a good weekend so far.  I spent my Saturday getting up and going to work (I don't normally work on Saturdays but due to the weather here Thursday I wanted to make up some time rather than use vacation) and when I got home I was so exhausted.  I put my 2 yr old down for a nap and preceded to take a nap myself.  My husband let us both sleep for FIVE HOURS!  Wow I must have REALLY been tired!  Shortly though I'm going to step away from the computer and work on my family Christmas gifts.  Both my mom and mother-in-law recently acquired cricuts and I'm also pondering shopping for a good cartridge deal.  Just don't know if I could get it by Christmas or not :(

Anyway, today I have a cool cricut-less project to share for you that as made as gifts for 2 of my co-workers.  Next week I'll have another similar project where I make a matching set and matching packaging, but for today we'll stick to the candle.

Did you know that by using a few things you may already have around the house you can make awesome, super easy, decorated candles??  Well you can!  Candles can be expensive but there are several online sites where you can get them pretty cheap.  The sets I'm making next week involve using online purchased candles, but for this I just picked up a pack at Meijer.  It was $5 for the set of two.  White and Cream colored candles work the best.  I haven't experimented too much with other colored candles but if you do, let me know as I'd love to see what kind of results you get.  In addition to candles, you need tissue paper, wax paper, stamps of your choice, ink pads in the colors you prefer to use, and a heat gun.  A blow dryer will not work for this.


Since this was Christmas themed, I chose a stamp set from Clear Dollar Stamps called Holiday Patterns. The ink I used was from their Clearly Coordinating Collection in Spring Leaf, Wild Huckleberry, Deep Sea, Turquoise Gem, and Bubble Gum.

First I measured my candle and cut a piece of tissue paper that would fit around the candle exactly.  I then cut a piece of wax paper larger that when wrapped around the candle would completely cover all the tissue paper.  You place the tissue paper in front of you and stamp away!  Anything you'd like...this can be decorated in any way you choose.  Once you've stamped all over the tissue paper and you're happy with how it looks, wrap the tissue paper around the candle.  Then wrap the wax paper around the candle over the tissue paper as tightly as possible.  Secure the wax paper down with a piece of tape.  Next you take your heat gun and run it over the wax paper.  You will be able to see the tissue paper change.  Keep the heat gun moving though.  Spending too much time in one spot can cause it to melt too much wax out of the candle and make pits and bumps in the candle.  Believe me, I've found this out the hard way in the past.  When you've gone all the way around the candle, turn off the heat gun and roll the candle on a hard surface.  Next remove the tape and was paper and VIOLA!  A perfect, pretty, festive candle that anyone is sure to love!  Here are some pictures of my finished candles.  Feel free to leave comments.  I love comments!  To see a video tutorial of this technique, My Pink Stamper has a great one.....it's Episode 38.  This is where I learned how to do it.  I love all of Robyn's videos, but I think this technique is my favorite :)







3 comments:

  1. I would be wonderful to make a video of this techinque

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  2. Oh my gosh, these candles are awesome!!! Fabulous job!!

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  3. I do need to attempt to make a video at some point....maybe I'll try it with this :)

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