Decorating Candles

Good evening folks.  I hope my post finds you well and safe from some of the weather that has started to hit the UK.  Peterborough is chilly, but pretty unevenful...for which I'll be grateful.

I have wanted to share this post with you for days, but have only just got round to it. This week on my Let Leonie Loose show, I took a bit of a risk and put on some candle decorating things.  We didn't know how this would go - but I was really happy people seemed to like them.  I must admit, it's another line of products that could be used in so many ways, given time to have a proper play.  I really enjoyed the short time I had to experiment.

First, I used the sheets.  These are pre-coloured, and in some cases, designed, wax sheets, which are simply layed onto your candle.  No need to heat, glue or anything. As long as your room is at a nice temperature, they will adhere.  And you can do loads with them.

First I took one of the printed sheets and simply cut it into shapes with a craft knife

 I then layered it onto the candle (I did two....it doesn't magically change colour :) ).  Using the wax paint, I added some little dots.  And I also added a border with the wax strips.  So easy.

With this one, I added the wax paint along the edge of each piece of wax.  I added dots and lines, which look really cool. To finish it off I also added another gold border along the top of the candle.

This one is much more time consuming.  I used a spellbinders die to cut my wax sheet.  Be careful not to use to much pressure, and protect your surfaces with a wax sheet - I didn't - I now have wax all over my cutting plate!  Use talc on your die to help the wax sheet release from the die.  I was quite impressed it cut this detail - but I don't think I'd try anything more complex.  The branch then easily sticks to the candle.

I built up my wax blossoms, I love this mother of pearl wax sheet, it's beautiful.  I also added little dots with the wax pearl paint, which just finishes it off.

Next, I used the candle wax paint.  This is SO easy.  Literally hold your stencil in place, and use a sponge to dab the paint onto your candle.  You can mix and blend the colours, and they dry really quickly.  I think it looks fantastic.  I finished the candle with the wax border strip.

This is easy.  You can either cut the wax sheets free hand with a pair of scissors, or, as I did, use your dies.  I used my collection of mixed media dies, which are nice and thick to go through the wax easily.  I didn't run them through the machine, I simply pushed the wax into them. I then used the foil sheet to add a touch of silver.  This easily adheres to the wax by just using a ball tool.

Obviously, the wax doesn't have to just be used on the candles.  This was my favourite bit...using them on my Art Journal.  I simply sponged the wax through the stencil, then used my distress inks over the top.  The wax acts as a resist.  It's so effective. Can you imagine the different looks you could achieve!!  I've got to play a bit more with this!!!