Wednesday, August 4, 2010

How to Make Wax Dipped Flowers

Here are instructions from Lone Star Candle Supply on How to Make Wax Dipped Flowers. If you are interested in creating other types of candles check out Lone Star Candles Step by Step Guides section on their website.

Fill a rooom with fragrance and beauty with scented, wax dipped flowers. Make fragrance filled arrangements any time of year that last much longer than fresh cut flowers. This fun, easy project can be adapted to different holidays by using different flowers.

Materials Needed:

Artificial Flowers
Pillar or Votive Wax
Fragrance Oil
Candle Dye (Optional)
Pouring Pot
Thermometer
UV Stabilizer (Optional)
Butcher Paper or Newspaper
Paper Towels
Metal Spoon or Stir Stick

Cover your work area with butcher paper or newspaper. Spills or drips are most times unavoidable, and clean up is much easier if you don’t have to clean wax off of your work surface.

Step 1 – Prepare wax

Prepare the wax as if you were making candles. The wax should be at the appropriate pouring temperature for the wax you are using. This will usually be between 160 and 180 degrees.

The amount of wax needed will vary depending on the size flowers and quantity that are being dipped. For this example, we melted about 1.5 pounds of wax. that was enough for about 10 flowers, and there was a considerable amount left over.

The addition of dye may not be necessary if you would prefer the color of the artificial flowers be unchanged. Dye can be added, but keep in mind it will change the appearance of the flowers.

Step 2 – Submerge the flower

Submerge the flower in the melted, fragranced wax. Make sure to cover the base of the flower, but it is not necessary to dip the stem. When removing the flower from the wax, gently shake off the excess so beads of wax do not form on the top as the flower is cooling.

If a flower with many smaller petals was used, it may be necessary to separate the petals so they are not stuck together when it cools. To do this, either use a plastic fork (or something similar) or gently blow on the flower while rotating it to help separate the petals.

Step 3 – Allow flower to dry

Next, hang the flower upside down to dry. Make sure to place something under the flower to catch any wax that may drip.

That's it!

You're finished! The flowers may be given or sold individually, or make an arrangement with different fragrances that compliment one another.

NOTE: Be careful when moving or transporting the flowers. There is a very thin layer of wax surrounding each petal. They feel hard to the touch, but they can crack easily.

1 comment:

Unknown said...

Interesting, I have never heard of this before! will definitely try this, is such a great idea!

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