Friday 13 January 2017

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!!!



6 comments:

Diane said...

What a great product and love your projects, they're fantastic! Will have to check out the show....just wish LLL was on a day when I'm at home. X

carol edwards said...

Unfortunately I missed your show so thank you for posting all about the wax. Really interesting and love the effects.x

Littlelamb said...

This looks very interesting.

Patricia Howarth said...

Hi Leonie, These were amazing, I so loved watching you !!
Lots of love from Patricia xx

whyducks said...

Wow what fantastic things you have made, love them all.

Leonie pujol said...

Thank you folks. Remember Hochanda do a catch up service, so if you do miss shows, you can always watch them back again. The wax sheets are so cool - the designs are beautiful. I'll definitely be using these again!! xx