By their nature, most floating candles are small, even tiny. They are enchanting when grouped together in a large bowl where they have the drawing of a candy shop. Small floaters can be made in metal petit four tins or other small cups. A Madeline pan, in which the French shell shaped cookies are baked, makes an ideal mold for floating candles.
The petite four tins come in attractive fluted shapes, which give the candles a scalloped edge and a flowery look.
To make small floating candles in cup molds:
- Set up your double boiler and melt the stearin
- Add color with a dye chip and stir until well blended
- Add paraffin and heat to 180 degrees
- Pour the wax carefully into the molds.
A- fter the wax is poured, gently tap the sides of the pan with the edge of a knife to eliminate any air bubbles
- Put the mold in a shallow tray of cool water to help the wax solidify. If you are using individual cups, you may have to weighty them down so they don’t float in the water bath prematurely
- Once the wax has begun to set, make a small well in the center of each candle with a chopstick or pencil.
- Add a bit more melted wax to fill in the depression
- When the wax has hardened to the firm but still soft stage, push a length of primed wick into the center of each candle
- Allow the wicked candles to cool completely. As they cool and the wax shrinks, you can then easily pop them out of their molds
Candles floating in a bowl or basin of water, or a pond, are extremely attractive. As the water under the candles undulates, the candle flames flicker like fireflies on the wing. They can also be used as beautiful centerpieces to decorate a table.
Floating candles also make lovely gifts.
