When my daughter Anna took one of these to school, all her friends wanted to learn how to make them. Happily, the project requires little instruction and, like the beeswax candles, no dipping. Young kids can do everything but slice the spirals. Older kids can make the candle from start to finish.

MATERIALS

Decorating wax strips (see Candle-Making Resources)
Plain ball or short pillar candle
Craft knife or unserrated butter knife

Have your child choose a few favorite combinations of decorating wax. To make the wax go further, cut each strip into two pieces that are 2 3/4 inches long and one piece that is 2 inches long. Lay a short length of one color over a long length of another and roll them into a tight spiral log 1/2 inch in diameter and 1 1/2 inches long. When you've made about eight logs, use the knife to cut each one into as many slices as you can. Firmly press the wax slices all around the outside of the candle, starting at the base and working up. Continue placing the slices as closely together as possible, until the whole candle is covered.

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• Next: Candle-Making Resources

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