Use Old Crayons To Transform Plain Candlesticks Into Unique Decor

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Crayons are present in many craft projects, with paper as its usual canvas. However, if you're left with small and broken bits that no one could bother to use again, melt those old crayons to color a different kind of canvas: plain candlesticks. Here, we use the melted crayon wax to paint different shapes and patterns on the surface, which is a rather crafty way to maximize the mood of your candles. Moreover, you can use this DIY to transform ordinary candlesticks into themed pieces of decor that can subtly transition your home into fall, or for any holidays on the horizon.

For this DIY, pretty much any type of candlestick will do, but it might be best to avoid working with thin and tiny birthday candles. To keep this DIY easy for anyone to do, try long, slender candles like the 10-inch Mainstays Unscented Taper Candles from Walmart, or a wider variety like the Luminessence White Pillar Candle from Dollar Tree. Further, you'll need to gather any old crayons you have, grouped by color. You'll also need to prepare a muffin tray lined with baking paper or aluminum foil in each cup for your crayons to melt on. If you cannot work with an oven for this project, prepare a pot, a glass or ceramic bowl you can partially submerge into boiling water, and some aluminum foil. Finally, grab some craft tools to decorate these candlesticks, such as paintbrushes or dotting pens you can find in nail art kits.

Before chucking the crayons into whatever heat source you'll use, it's best to remove any paper wrappings stuck on the crayons. An easy way to remove them is to submerge your crayons in hot water, let it sit for a few minutes, and then easily peel them off. Afterwards, place your crayons in the lined muffin trays, with longer parts broken into smaller pieces for faster melting, and let them melt in the oven for 10 to 15 minutes at 275 degrees Fahrenheit. Alternatively, you can melt your crayons on a stove top with the double boiler method. Put them in small bowls lined with foil and place them in a pot filled with a small amount of boiling water, stirring the wax as it melts.

The crayon wax can dry pretty quickly, so it's best to plan your designs ahead of time, and to paint them quickly on the candle before the wax solidifies once more. Start with simple shapes you can paint swiftly like flowers and hearts before trying your hand at more complex designs. If you want to remove any happy little accidents on the candle, you can scrape them off lightly with a craft knife. Once you're satisfied with the painted patterns on your candlesticks, you can add simple embellishments like a ribbon around the body or tying a small bundle of dried herbs around with some twine. Finally, let your painted candlesticks stand out by displaying them front and center on any table or countertop with stunning vintage candleholders you can get from thrift stores.