Crafts

Nightmare

You need to obtain the following supplies:
2-4 pounds of Paraffin Wax (the kind used in canning) or beeswax (which is
usually expensive). Candle wick (available at most hobby and craft stores)
oils and herbs (for scent and magickal goals) candle dye (also expensive) or
crayons (for color) wax paper a wooden spoon double broiler.

Begin by melting the wax in a double broiler. If you don't have one, you can
use a large pot filled half full of water and a large coffee tin with the
wax in it, sitting inside the pot. Heat the water to boiling first and cut
up your wax so it will melt quickly. Once the water is boiling, turn the
heat down and place the tin of wax inside of it. Keep the water hot enough
to keep the wax melted but not so hot that the paraffin catches fire (which
it has been known to do over high heat).

While the wax to melting, stir with a wooden spoon (never use metal) & make
sure it all is completely melted.

Also, while the wax is melting, mix the herbs (if more than one) in a small
bowl. After the wax is completely melted and been checked, break the crayons
up and put them into the wax. Keep stirring until all of the crayons have
melted and the color is even and smooth, with no streaks. Keep in mind that
the candle will be a shade or so lighter when dry. The more crayons - the
deeper and richer the color, so experiment.

Next, add the herbs to the wax. Empower with your energy and magickal
intention while mixing the wax. Stir with the wooden spoon until it is
thoroughly mixed. Next add 10-20 drops of essential oil (please, no
synthetics when making candles for magickal or ritual use) to the wax until
it smells strongly of the fragrance intended. Now your wax is ready.

Start with a long piece of wick - twice the size of your desired candle
length plus 3 inches (you will be making 2 candles at once). Bend the wick
in the middle and hold it by the bend. Dip the wick into the wax and then
lift back out. Getting started is the hardest because the wick will float on
top of the wax until it has enough wax on it to weigh it down. Allow it to
get completely cold between dippings when you first start.

After your candle has started to take shape you can speed up the process a
little. I keep a pan of cool water nearby and dip the candles in the water
after each dipping in the wax. While this speeds up the process a little,
candle making is a slow process but very well worth the time and energy you
put into it.

Keep dipping the candles and allowing them to cool & then dip again. When
you have achieved the proper size, hang them to dry until the wax has set
but the candles aren't too hard. Then roll them on the wax paper to smooth
out the shape. Once the candle shape is too your liking, dip 1 or 2 more
times to make sure your candle is smooth. Trim off any excess wax to make a
bottom with a sharp knife. Cut the wick and hang your candles to dry. You
are done!

All Rights Reserved *** Copyright 1995 MMoonstone Publishing

Nightmare

Another way to make candles which is easier and quicker is "Hippie Candles"
as they were called in the '60s. You need to first obtain the sand - either
the beach, sandbox or you can make a box and fill it with sand just for this
purpose. Size, of course will depend on how large your candle is and how
many.

First, moisten the sand enough to where you can make holes in it without the
sand falling back down into the hole. Then Dig your hole in the sand the
shape you want it. The easiest to start with are tapers but pyramids and
cauldron aren't much harder. If you want legs on your candle - take a pencil
(unsharpened) and poke hole for the legs in the sand.

When the shape is finished - hold a piece of wick over the approximate
center and gently pour the wax into the hole, making sure the legs (if any)
are filled.

Allow the wax to set, which can take a while. After testing wax to make sure
it is ready, slip fingers into the sand under the candle and gently lift it
out. Brush off any excess sand. If the legs are uneven, you can even them by
sitting the candle in a hot frying pan. You are done!
All Rights Reserved *** Copyright 1995 MMoonstone Publishing

Nightmare

When you make your own poppers, you get to choose the toy that goes inside.
Customize for each guest to set your party apart.

ribbon
small toys, gifts, surprises
wrapping paper or decorative paper
scissors
craft glue
cardboard paper towel roll

Cut paper large enough to cover paper towel roll and exceed edges by at
least 2 inches. Wrap paper around cardboard paper towel roll and glue in
place. Tie a ribbon at one end of the base of the paper towel roll, crimping
paper. Fill the roll with small gifts, toys or surprises then tie a ribbon
around the open end, crimping the paper and holding in all the contents.
Trim the paper edges if needed. Place a Christmas Popper by each dinner
plate to create a festive look.

Nightmare

Items You Will Need
Small broom, about 1' by 8"
Plastic seasonal flowers {Holly, berries, mistletoe, evergreens}
3 different colours of ribbon, about 12"-16" long
Some thin wire {strip garbage bag twist-ties of their paper coats}
Ornament oriented to the Sabbat
Wire Cutters
Scissors

DIRECTIONS: Using the wire cutters cut down the flower stems to a workable
height. Using the wire, begin tying in the seasonal flowers and berries at
the base of the broom where the bristles begin. Manipulate the leaves of the
flowers to lie flat against the bristles. This will give a good background
for the colour of the flowers to show. Lay your berries and or fruits in
between the flowers and tie off with wire. Once you have all the foliage in,
wire in the Sabbat ornament of your choice. To hide the wire tie the ribbon
in a bow or whatever knot you prefer and let some of the excess drape around
and under the the piece. TO HANG: String a bit of wire through the top of
the handle and hang on a nail in the door. If you prefer to hang your broom
bristles up, then weave the wire through some of the bristles and really
twist for strength. If you are hanging this on the front door, it's going to
get a lot of traffic by it, so make sure it is secured well.

Nightmare

Items needed:

* Eleven pound slab of wax (Not all will be used)
* Old Coffee Can or melting pot for melting the wax
* A sauce pan that the old can will fit into
* A Mold (Purchased or another Coffee can, lined with corrugated card)
* Wax Coloring or several crayons
* Candle wicking
* Ice pick
* Hot pads or oven mitts
* Knife
* Stirring Spoon or stick
* Basin of hot water
* Optional candle scenting

The Method:

To determine how much wax will be needed, pour water into your mold. Pour
this water carefully into your melting pot. This will give you an idea how
high up the sides of the melting pot that the molten wax will need to be.
Discard the water, and dry the melting pot and mold thoroughly.

Cut three wicks two to three inches longer than the candle will be when
finished. Lay aside.

Cut the wax into chunks, and place them into the old coffee can. Place the
coffee can into a saucepan and add hot water to the sauce pan to make a
'waterbath'.

Over a low flame, melt the wax.

When the wax is nearly all in a liquid state, dip the candle wicking into
it. Lay each strand out straight to harden.

Next, shave the wax coloring into the molten wax. Stir gently. When the wax
is melted, pour it carefully into the mold. (Reserve some of the wax, as it
will 'shrink')

Allow the candle to sit undisturbed for four to six hours.

When the mold is just warm to your touch, use the ice pick to make three
holes in the center (about an inch apart, and at least one and a half inches
from the candle's edges.)

Insert the wax-stiffened wicks into the ice pick holes.

Reheat the reserved wax and pour it over the candle, filling in the wick
areas and any depressions made by the wax shrinkage. (NOT down the sides)

Allow the candle to cool completely. To remove it from the mold, place the
can into a basin of hot water. The sides will melt, releasing the candle.

Trim the wicks to around three eighths of an inch.

Allow the candle to thoroughly cure before using.

Ideas:

If the candle seems dull, dip it into hot water for a moment to 'reglaze'.

Using the heated tip of an ice pick make designs in the sides of the candle.

Decorate by pressing Holly (or other dried or hardy plants) into the sides.
(Dip the candle in hot water to soften, using the hot awl to make 'channels'
for the stems or berries to be inserted into.) Brush a thin clear paraffin
glaze over all.

Nightmare

PRESSED FLOWER CANDLES

I hope you will like this idea. The candles come out really nice.
Enjoy!

These candles are a great bathroom accent. Pansies make some of the
best candles.
You can also use greenery such as fern or leaves, those purple leaves
are great.
You display the flowers and greenery on the candle beneath a thin
layer of wax.

You will need:
Pillar candles
Pressed flowers (your choice)
Pressed greens (your choice)
raffia, (optional)
craft glue or hot glue paraffin wax
sauce pan
metal bowl
tongs
news paper, an old towel, or use wax paper

To make these lovely candles:
Very carefully, or with tweezers, pick up flowers and greenery.
Arrange on candle.
Also very carefully add a touch of glue to the backs of the flowers
and greenery you can use a tooth pick or Q-Tip to make it easier.
Let it sit for about 15 minutes to allow glue to dry completely.
Fill sauce pan with water and warm over medium low heat.
Balance metal bowl on rims so it sits above the waters surface. Melt
wax this way.
Hold candle by the wick, either with your fingers (long wick) or for
safety with piers or tongs.
Dip candle into the wax entirely. Remove slowly.
Place candle on wax paper and allow to dry very well.
Most flowers are great with this idea, and fern, cedar and oak leaves
are very nice.
You can also splash things up a bit by adding colored leaves around
the candle before dipping for a stunning effect. You can also adorn
with wheat or cat tails.