How to Make Sand Candles

It's not hard, to learn how to make sand candles. Instead of worrying about buying fancy molds, you can let Mother Nature help out.

Whether you scoop sand up from the beach, buy it, or clean your own, you can enjoy the fun of making these delightful candles!

One thing to note ahead of time, however. If you aren't a regular candle maker, and don't have a double-boiler you must be very, very careful when heating the wax. A double-boiler setup is preferred, so you don't push the wax temperature to the flash point.

Supplies Needed

Here are the supplies needed for how to make sand candles.

• Clean sand. Get some from the beach, buy it in a garden or pet shop. You can get some from your yard but I wouldn't recommend it -- you'll have to spend a long time cleaning it.

• Candle making wax with a high melting point -- at least 150 degrees Fahrenheit.

• Pre-waxed wick, appropriate for the size of your candle. Square braid would probably be easiest.

• Color and scent (optional).
• Water, for molding the sand.

Equipment Needed

Here are the equipment you'll need for making sand candles.

• Thermometer that measures up to at least 300 degrees Fahrenheit.

• Pan to heat the wax. Easiest if you have one with a pour spout. A double-boiler setup is preferable.

• Large metal spoon.

• Two containers; one for holding the sand, the other for the mold shape.
• Ice pick or heavy piece of wire, for piercing the wax to set the wick.

How to Make Sand Candles

Begin by filling your large container with clean sand. Add water until it's damp, but not wet. You should be able to mold it and have it keep its shape.

Take your other container (that you'll use for the mold) and push it down into the sand. Note: make sure that your mold doesn't reach the bottom of the larger container. There should be at least an inch of sand between the two. Put the spoon in the bottom of the mold.

Melt the wax. When it reaches the manufacturer's suggested temperature, and color and scent (optional), stir in well and then pour it into the sand mold, over the spoon. This is so the hot wax doesn't erode the bottom of your sand mold.

Fill the wax to the top and let sit. You'll see the level go down some. When there's a thin crust of hardened wax on top, use the ice pick or wire to punch a hole to put the wick into, then place the wick.

Punch a few more holes in the top of the candle and then pour in more hot wax, to the top of the mold. Make sure to keep the wick out of the way when you pour.

Let cool several hours -- the bigger the sand candle, the longer the time you need to wait. Then dig out of the sand and brush off the extra sand

See? It's not so hard to learn how to make sand candles. Check out the main sand candles page for instruction on burning your creation!

Top of How to Make Sand Candles Page

How to Make Gel Candles Page

Home Page

ADD TO YOUR SOCIAL BOOKMARKS: Blink Del.icio.us Digg
Furl Google Simpy Spurl Technorati Y! MyWeb

Keeping Your Candle From Shedding: The Overdip

Now that you know how to make sand candles, you can help keep your candle from shedding sand with an overdip of translucent wax.

You'll want to find a candle making wax that has a fairly high melting point but isn't opaque. A high MP (melt point) paraffin would work.

You'll need a large container that will hold your sand candle, at least one inch deeper than the candle is tall.

Melt the wax per the manufacturers recommendation and place the melted wax in the container.

Hold the candle by the wick with a pair of pliers and lower the sand candle into the melted wax.

Don't do it so fast that it splashes. But you don't want to do it too slowly either, or the sand candle might try to melt.

One dip should probably take care of it. If not, wait a minute and try one more dip.