Tree-Shaped Candles

You don't need to melt any wax in order to make these candles; both taper and topper are made with beeswax sheets, available online and at crafts stores, where you can also buy wicking.

Tools & Materials

• Smooth wax sheet in white
• Wicking
• Tree-shaped cookie cutters
• Utility knife
• Ruler
• Hair dryer

Tree-Shaped Candle How-To

1. Lay wax sheet on a baking sheet; apply low heat from a hair dryer. Cut 4 or 6 shapes (you'll stack either 2 or 3 on each side of the wick to achieve the desired thickness) with a tree-shaped cookie cutter.
2. With a ruler and utility knife, cut a wax sheet to be the width you want the height of your base to be. Cut wicking an inch or two longer than the combined height of the taper and cutout. Lay wicking near the edge of the sheet, aligning with wax at one end. Fold wax edge over wicking, and roll tightly until candle is desired thickness. Trim excess wax with a utility knife, and smooth edge with your thumb.
3. With a utility knife, cut a 1/2-inch-deep notch in the top of the candle, carefully maneuvering around the wick so as not to sever it; remove excess wax with the knife. Lay candle flat, and fit cutouts in the notch on either side of the wick, pulling wick taut; press them together with your fingertips, beginning at the center and working outward. When all shapes are in place, apply low heat from a hair dryer; press again. If necessary, soften excess wax with hair dryer, and use it to secure the tree in the notch to keep it from wobbling once the candle is upright.