From:
Hippocrates Bust Candle
These beautiful candles are inspired by classic sculptures.
Tools and Materials
Plaster bust
Clear sealant
Drill
Nail
Container that is larger than bust
Scrap piece of wood that spans the mouth of the container
Double-sided carpet tape
Liquid rubber
Old measuring cups
Utility knife
Wick
Dowel
100 percent beeswax
Double boiler
Scissors
Hippocrates Bust Candle How-To
1. Spray plaster bust with clear sealant to make it nonporous. Drill a hole in the top of the head, then push a nail into the hole you have created.
2. Attach the base of the bust to a piece of scrap wood with double-sided carpet tape. Place the bust upside-down in mold container with the piece of scrap wood suspending it from the mouth of the container.
3. Combine liquid rubber according to the package directions; mix thoroughly. Pour liquid rubber into container with bust. Allow rubber mold to cure (about 3 to 4 hours).
4. De-mold the bust by removing the rubber from the container and carefully cutting straight down two sides of the mold with a utility knife, leaving the bottom attached.
5. Place the mold back into the container. Cut a length of wick that is several inches longer than the height of the mold. Wind one end of the wick around a dowel. Insert the other end of the wick into the hole that was created in the mold by the nail. Place dowel across the mouth of the container to hold it in place while pouring wax; wind up any slack onto the dowel.
6. Melt 100 percent beeswax in a double boiler and pour into the mold. Allow wax to cool for 4 to 6 hours; de-mold the candle.
7. If wick is too long, trim with scissors to 1/4 inch from top of head.
Resources
Martha made these candles using busts from arkahdiaarts.com, beeswax granules from candlewic.com, and Smooth-on Oomoo liquid rubber from smooth-on.com. All other materials are available at hardware stores.