Make Sea Shell Candles

The best thing about summer is walking on the beach. The worst thing is what to do with those shells?

I do not need another jar filled with smelly old shells. So this is is what I do with clam, muscle, and oyster shells - and with old crayons.

Picture 1 - Supplies

My kids clean out the crayon box and place the old ones in tin cans to be melted. We place the shells in the freezer to make them very cold. Because the kids could start a fire or get hurt, I use the crock-pot to melt crayon pieces. I place a small amount of water in the bottom of the crock-pot and turn it up on high. In about an hour (enough time to peel all the paper off the crayons), we place the crayons in a can and let them melt. I use birthday cake candles, too, but if you're using craying, you can buy wicking at a craft store.

Pour a dot of wax in the ice-cold shell and add the piece of birthday candle to the shell.

Picture 2 - Candle

Let it set up (I put it back in the freezer for 5 minutes. Now fill the shell to the top with wax. I try to use a cup to level it off.

Picture 3 - finished

Now you have beautiful candles for your pond or table decorations.

Picture 4 - pond