DLTK's Crafts for Kids
Illuminate Your Creativity: Making Pressed Flower Candles with Children
Pressed flower candles are a beautiful way to bring the beauty of nature indoors and create a serene, calming ambiance in your home. Not only do these candles make charming decorations, but they also serve as thoughtful, handmade gifts for friends and family. In this tutorial, we'll guide you through the process of making your own pressed flower candles, from selecting and pressing the flowers to decorating and finishing the candles. Get ready to ignite your creativity and embark on a delightful crafting journey.
Materials:
- Fresh flowers (variety of colors and sizes)
- Heavy books (for pressing the flowers)
- White paper or parchment paper (for placing the flowers between)
- Pillar candles (unscented, white or light-colored)
- Tea light candle (for the wax used to adhere the flowers to the candles)
- Paintbrush (for applying the wax)
- Tweezers (optional, for placing delicate flowers)
- Wax paper (for protecting your work surface)
- Hairdryer (for melting the wax)
Instructions:
- Choose and Gather Your Flowers: Select a variety of fresh flowers in different colors, sizes, and shapes. Keep in mind that flatter flowers will press better and be easier to adhere to the candles. Ensure the flowers are free of dirt and insects, and gently pat them dry with a paper towel if necessary. Smaller, flat flowers like violets are easier to use for this project than larger flowers because the surface of the candle is curved.
- Press the Flowers: Prepare your flowers for pressing by removing any unwanted leaves or stems. Place each flower between two sheets of white paper or parchment paper. Slide the paper-enclosed flowers into the pages of a heavy book, ensuring they lay flat and do not overlap. Close the book and stack additional heavy books on top to apply pressure. Allow the flowers to press for about two to three weeks, checking on them occasionally to ensure they're drying properly.
- Prepare Your Workspace: While the flowers are pressing, gather the remaining materials and set up a clean, well-lit workspace. Cover your work surface with wax paper to protect it from any glue or wax residue.
- Arrange the Pressed Flowers: Once the flowers are dry and pressed, carefully remove them from the books using tweezers if necessary. Lay out the pillar candles on your work surface and arrange the pressed flowers on them in a visually pleasing design. Take a photo of the final arrangement as a reference for when you're ready to glue the flowers in place.
- "Glue" the Flowers to the Candles: Light your tea light candle and let a pool of wax form. Blow it out. Using your paintbrush, apply a thin layer of melted wax to the back of a pressed flower. Gently press the flower onto the candle, using the photo you took earlier as a guide. Hold the flower in place for a few seconds to ensure it adheres properly. Repeat this process for each flower, working from the largest to the smallest. If a flower breaks, just "glue" the petals that broke off onto the candle where they should go. Allow the wax to dry completely.
- Optional: Melt the Wax Over the Flowers: After the glue has dried, use a hairdryer to gently heat the surface of the candle around the glued flowers. The wax will start to melt, and the flowers will become partially embedded in it. Be careful not to overheat the candle, as this can cause it to lose its shape. Allow the candle to cool and harden for about an hour.
- Alternatively, you can use your paintbrush and tea light wax to lightly brush melted wax over all of the flowers on the candle to seal them in.
You can use materials other than flowers for pressing -- including leaves and ferns.
Pressed flower candles are an enchanting way to showcase the natural beauty of flowers while adding a touch of elegance to your home. These handmade candles make delightful decorations, thoughtful gifts, and unique conversation starters.
Not only does this project offer a creative outlet, but it also encourages an appreciation for the natural world. As you and your loved ones enjoy the warm glow of your pressed flower candles, you'll be reminded of the beauty that surrounds us every day.
Feel free to explore different flower arrangements, candle sizes, and color combinations to create a diverse collection of pressed flower candles. You can even experiment with incorporating other natural elements like leaves, ferns, or small twigs to add variety and texture to your designs.
These candles also make a lovely addition to festive occasions, such as weddings, birthdays, or anniversaries. You can create custom candles for each event, choosing flowers and colors that match the theme or have a special significance to the celebrants. Moreover, these candles can serve as beautiful centerpieces for a dinner party or as a relaxing accent for a cozy night in.
By crafting your own pressed flower candles, you've not only created an enchanting decoration but also engaged in a rewarding and therapeutic activity. Allow the calming glow of your pressed flower candles to inspire you, and continue to explore the limitless potential of creativity and nature combined.
Happy crafting!
Leanne
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