Paint your decor… but with wax

[@JWJWJWJW]

If you’re going to do this highly recommend using a very cheap brush, don’t buy nice brushes as an artist, or as a hobbyist and then going from a full of wax it will be hell to try and clean them

[@UmuPadoru]

Very good tip, thank you

[@BlackPanaRican05]

I absolutely agree, however, i know someone is going to try it anyway. Maybe boil your brushes to get the wax off when it inevitably dries on. 😅

[@sarahkp729]

I bet like a double ended silicone spatula would work better than a brush if you're already at the craft store

[@2GoatsInATrenchCoat]

Wax melts right off with heat, so I think it's fine to use good brushes as long as they're heat resistant. Like someone else said, just boil them and they're good as new

[@leocervidae]

Yeah and tbh those cheap stiff plastic brushes you get for kids would probably lend themselves well to this. Or like a sponge on a stick maybe

[@_Cloun]

You can also use paper tape (like washi, painters tape) to achieve similar results with even LESS overspill

[@destinyc7801]

Is that the American way to say masking tape or is it a separate thing?

[@pho_is_not_interesting]

​@@destinyc7801IIRC the only difference is that washi tape is used for decorative purposes so it has patterns on it!

[@ktdiddle5]

@@destinyc7801washi tape is a different thing to masking tape, it’s typically smaller and decorative, however masking/painters tape is typically more plastic-y and washi tape is more paper with a wax-like coating. also washi tape is used a lot for it’s weaker adhesive 😊

[@andyandrews7886]

Came here to say this

[@NoThankUBeQuiet]

​@Destiny C Techincally it's the same type of paint but masking tape is a different product. Painters tape is very thick and usually blue. Washi tape is very narrow or about the same size as masking tape and decorative)

[@desireandfire]

You should try a wax warmer instead, that way you have the flames out of the way.

[@pixelzebra8440]

Yea

[@noonelooksatusers]

yes!

[@-VoDkAsVengeance-]

Keep in mind that wax warmers are like $30 (not the type of money a college student is able to throw at unnecessary stuff) and dealing with a minor inconvenience is free

[@DearLilBunBun]

@@-VoDkAsVengeance- This girl owns a home. She can afford $30.

[@LoreCatan]

@@-VoDkAsVengeance- Anyone who considers this as a potential hobby [buying large white candles, and then multiple smaller colored ones] is already on for an expensive ride and most likely out of college. Tho I have to admit, outside of a fun workshop you sign up to try with your friends, I don't see this being very fun for long.

[@kellytone92]

As someone who has worked in a waxing/denture lab, use metal instruments to have the best control -- not bristle brushes.

[@LoreCatan]

As someone who is about to work in a denture lab, you are right but for a candle of this size it would take forever. Sacrificing a cheap brush isn't that bad, and she could get a shiny finish by scratching the final thing with a metal instrument and getting it even. As well, she could also melt/carve some awesome patterns or design into the rectangle after it's cool with those instruments and then drip different colored wax to make it more obvious.

[@kathybramley5609]

Waxing and dentures!? What a combination! Did you go on to own a pets and brews shop?

[@MrRickle]

@@kathybramley5609most people don’t know that a lot of dental work is done in wax before it’s done in porcelain or pressed acrylic. My dad was a dental lab tech and he made dentures and crown and bridgework for a living, I was raised in a dental office / lab setting. I made my first set of dentures when I was 8 years old after my dad taught me how. He also made cast jewelry also and taught me how to and I still have his casting machine.

[@ijustrealllylikecats]

As a denture wearer, thank you for all your hard work ❤

[@LookupintheAER]

You should try scratching off wax in the shape you want and then filling the hole in with the colored wax. Maybe that would work?

[@SquishyCow]

That's a really good idea!

[@pixelzebra8440]

That’d be cool

[@kiram.3619]

that sounds like a brilliant idea

[@Michelle.1952]

I thought the same thing. Less likely for the pattern to scratch off that way too.

[@noracola5285]

That's how I used to work in porcelain clay before firing it.

[@xXxKaley2013xXx]

Try wax paper for baking instead of thicker paper that won’t mold to the shape! OR this may seem silly but pour the colored wax onto a sheet into a very thin layer, and cut out the shape you want with an exacto then heat up the surface of the white candle just enough to adhere and then smooth out with warm fingers! 🥰

[@axuwu6939]

That doesn’t seem silly, that seems genius!!

[@xXxKaley2013xXx]

@@axuwu6939 maybe silly was the wrong word but MESSY! 😂 it’s a technique that’s been used by witches dating back to the early times of candle making. Pagans and other witches celebrate Imbolg, (our groundhogs day) and it’s called candlemas where you make candles for the goddess Brigid to lure the sun back to his bride. 🥰

[@breannawatson6281]

Thank you for the ideas! Those seem really good

[@crackerjack010101]

I would recommend painters’ tape so your pattern lays flatter on the candle. You might need to treat it just like paint and go in first with white/same color as the base candle to seal the edges before going in with the color.

[@Delicate_Disaster]

Oh my god. Someone is getting candles next Christmas. I dont know who yet. But someone.

[@jesuslovesyou8734]

JESUS IS COMING BACK! turn to him before it’s to late! May God bless you all✝️💕

[@raventenebris5344]

If you plan to do this I Saw someone in the comments say that painters tape works even better :D as you’ll have nicer lines

[@xelith6157]

me me me!!

[@piiinkDeluxe]

Lol 😂

[@woefulmelancholy]

*everyone

[@Ludix147]

You can also buy wax sheets for this, i used to do this with my grandma :)

[@rainghostly]

I used to do this with my mum too! We cut figures/animals/letters/whatever out of the wax sheets and just stuck it on. Much easier.

[@kuroneko5390]

I wanted to comment that as well. We (my catholic religion class) did that when we made candles for church when we where younger.

[@bivodka3586]

I've painted using wax. If you're using a stencil you can directly drop wax from candles in drops. It will be like stippling using wax. I also use it with a combination of oil pastels where I heat the crayons with the heat of the candle and then drop it on my paper. So it's like a combination of candle wax and oil pastels

[@xXxKaley2013xXx]

Using the dropping method is really old actually! Pagans would use this method to create decor for their alters to honor their gods! Imbolc in February is the most common because it’s known as candlemas and candles are created and lit as symbolic magick to lure the sun back to the sky and end winter! ♥️

[@charliebaker1427]

Its called encaustic painting in fine arts

[@kkilljoy3588]

I’d be really interested to see this in action….I’m having a hard time visualizing this process in my own hands as a success without seeing it first as I’m quite prone to making a disaster of things

[@bra1nrotzz]

your voice is so calming

[@CarbonatedCondensation]

Theoretically, scoring the surface of the candle you’re painting would help it stay on, kind of like you score clay to attach two pieces.

[@Rosafedd]

Except no slip required :P

[@rainghostly]

There are also really thin wax sheets you can buy specifically to decorate candles. You just have to cut out the shapes yourself, we used to do this when I was younger.

[@komachi603821]

Looks so cool!! Wonder if use painter’s tape would help to get clean edge, or the tape will just peel off because of the heat🤔

[@kkilljoy3588]

Oh I like that thought…..the ADHD in me wants to try that right now and report back….but I don’t have any bald candles to try it on!

[@Boredchinchilla]

She could also paint the border on then fill it with wax with a dropper or larger brush, or use plasticine clay (the stuff that doesn’t get hard and is oily)

[@davinatest8467]

What if you carve the design into the main candle then pour the coloured wax in the grooves?

[@plutopaey373]

Thats brilliant

[@gryphka]

I feel like since the candle is rounded it would be tough to not have it spill over...

[@cheybug0715]

You can also use a candle melter to melt the wax completely and you don't have to worry about possibly burning the bristles on your brushes!

[@NajalaLeu]

Another tip: of you wanna smooth it out I find that the easiest way is just putting it next to a flame and keeping it in motion. Takes a bit of practice, but wonderfully smooth.

[@mochi4926]

I love how creative you are and all of the art that you do. It feels so full of life and personality. There's soul to it.

[@BIBBLE_the_BADDIE]

“When you do it with your friends” *hahaha, bold you to assume I have any friends*

[@selinametalslasha]

I bet they would stay better if you lightly scratched the base candle over where you’re going to paint. Creates more surface to bond together

[@NakiaPickering]

When I was younger in Waldorf school, we'd decorate pillar candles using sheets of colored beeswax and used little cookie cutters to cut designs out, it was super fun, and definitely recommend if you're into decorating candles!

[@pernillekopatz4760]

i once did something similair with dried flowers on candles, very pretty and very easy

[@KcKitty-]

The Batik class in high school had use dye fabric, then paint hot wax onto the fabric to keep the dye there. I loved that class

[@eyyog]

This is such a cool idea! Just a note for the stencil, use thinner card if you can. Greaseproof paper or self adhesive vinyl might also work. I don’t work with wax but I make stencils a lot and they work best if they’re completely flush to the surface - for stencilling on a curved medium you need to find something that’s thick enough the wax won’t bleed through but thin enough to let it smooth out along your medium.

[@PastyPineapple]

Instead of just smoothing it with the knife , try putting wax paper over it and then smooth over with a heated spoon or metal spatula and let cool . when done and u remove the wax paper the candle design will be almost flawless ( it's the same method use for smoothing buttercream frosting on cakes)

[@kkilljoy3588]

This is GENIUS! Also I had no idea this was used to smooth buttercream frosting on cakes! I just assumed, as a lover of homemade buttercream frosting, my cakes were destined to always look homemade and amateur and that’s the price one paid….so I gen stick to cupcakes where it’s less glaring. But NOW I know the secret! Omg!

[@supersucks]

THE BOOM BAP ADDITION ACTUALLY HAD ME ON THE FLOOR LIKE THEYRE INSANE FOR THAT

[@1boredchick]

Wax paper might work well too.

[@katharinewhits]

You could heat a piece of metal to smooth the sides out. You could also carve your designs into the candle prior to adding the colored wax

[@lutfiyyatimol6762]

When you place on the template.. If you etch into the base candle in the template cutout area and then paint on the wax then the pattern will stay on better and not fleck off as easily..

[@Volderon]

Here's a thought to help with that leakage: first, apply a layer of the base color wax, allow it to dry mostly/all the way, and then apply the new color on the stencil. I do this with painting on stencil tape with all sorts of types of paint. I don't see why it wouldn't work for wax!

[@shroomii3414]

😮the texture! my sister is blind and she'd buy that so fast! it's so difficult for her because she likes designs too, but can't see what she can't feel.

[@A_Amazi]

Woah. I love how your tattoo and your nails continue into each other. 💕

[@Blue-wz5um]

be careful if you do this and end up with a towel soaked in wax it can be a fire hazard!

[@nerdywolverine8640]

any paper towel near a flame is a fire hazard

[@seganaleqa]

You can also carve shapes in ahead of time so the design sits flush with the rest of the candle rather than it sticking out.

[@marsattacks7577]

You can do this on canvas too! It’s called encaustic painting, it’s a lot of fun. You can also use thin layers of wax and thin magazine clippings to make collages. I think it would be interesting to see how an encaustic paper collage would look on a candle (of course for decoration, even though the paper is soaked in wax, I wouldn’t light it, lmao).

[@The-gender-goblin]

We did that with thin coloured wax sheets cut into shapes that we pressed onto white candles when i was in preschool. Damn you just hit me with a brick of memories lol

[@mariamaria2751]

This looks like something I'd never ever have the desire to do EVER looks highly messyandunsatisfying

[@sweetsarah226]

What if you dipped it in clear after to protect your work? I feel like a layer of clear wax would seal in the design and act like a top coat on nails to encapsulate any details

[@sav9207]

this sounds genius :0

[@txfu-]

that is so cute!!! I have to save this one for later 😊

[@Wonderhoe69420]

You sound like thepinkshirtcouple 😭😭 thats actually so cool though! I hope your channel skyrockets, your amazing

[@michelleserrato6398]

That’s oddly specific…I agree 😭😂

[@sugarblunt]

This is the weirdest comment that makes no sense…. Like what kind of weird stereotype bullshit is that lmao

[@Wonderhoe69420]

@@sugarblunt “THE girl who wears a pink shirt everyday” not a girl 😭

[@jkardi9803]

love seeing this craft come back! 25 years ago, we'd peel the paper off crayons and melt them under a lighter to dot-paint.

[@autumnsteedley5381]

You should make a video on painting the candle from Encanto

[@hewehawi]

You really overestimate how fun my friends are.

[@brnn17]

So glad I saw this short! I’m going to a candle painting party in a couple of weeks and these tips are going to be a big help.

[@dianniahorne6058]

Gonna do this for wedding decor with flower stencils

[@mollylikesart3230]

This is actually a painting process called Encaustic Painting. You can buy little blocks of filtered wax pigments (that way you don’t need a candle that has scent mixed in) and a heat gun for smoothing and shaping. You can use a hot plate so you don’t need to avoid actual fire. They also make a “medium” that extends the wax dry time so it’s easier to work with!

[@user-yu8hr9oy5s]

For more finer details and patterns you could simply lightly carve it into the candle before painting as well

[@777indigobabe]

You are the cutest ever!!! Your videos are super good with fantastic ideas.

[@HealingAmazing]

Love this idea! And very affordable craft!!

[@deluyougo_1313]

if anyone does this, just make sure not to catch your brush on fire 😭

[@ddoodah]

omg im living for the tattoo WITH the matching nails!!

[@TeaCosette]

Use the metal tools they use for sculpting, it would make this so much easier. Also for a cleaner cut on shapes use the exacto knife! They also make actual molding wax you can practice with too 😋

[@fthisimout3332]

If you want it to be easy, there's actually special tubes to draw on candles with. I don't know what exactly is in them but it's something wax-like.

[@youbeenspooked]

yes this would cost a bit more but a good way to help it stick a bit more is to then dip the whole thing in clear wax 😊

[@theappler9516]

there's actually wax specifically made for crafts like these, encaustics are great and really fun to use. for next time, make sure to use brushes made of animal hair, because synthetic brushes are more likely to burn if you use a griddle method

[@IndiAndKateTaylorsVersion]

Dip it in clear wax to make it harder to scratch off (dip the whold candle) hope this helps!❤

[@carolinelloyd1858]

I suggest using a sharp implement to ENGRAVE the design you want, then paint the coloured wax into the groves. You can smooth the entire surface of the finished candle with the back of a butter knife warmed in boiled water ♥️

[@bluegynger]

Quick tip! So I used to do this to "customize" some emergency candles ((because then you can have them on display & don't have to hide them cause they're ungly, and then fumble around for them in the dark when the power is out lol)) -- If you want the wax to stay better & not easily scratch off, score the wax of the candle you're painting on first. I liked using a wire brush or even a toothpick will work. You do need to really commit to the work you want to do, though, so "sketching" your design on the candle first or using the stencils is a good idea. When you score (scratch) the surface of the candle first before you paint, it allows that first layer of melted wax to really seep into the candle & hold its color better. 👍

[@stacybroussard3097]

I Absolutely LOVE your CREATIVITY ❤

[@AngelBolt]

If you go to some stores like Blicks, they'll have tools for Encaustics, which is painting with waxes. Bristles won't help you much, they'll gunk up, and you'll be using the unevenly cooled wax to paint instead. There are brushes with rubber tips, think a cuticle pusher combined with a spatula. It'll be a *lot easier and more fun!*

[@gachalee6296]

Awesome! Thanks for the gift idea!

[@acookie7548]

That first one would be great decor for a children’s hospital

[@ljj8120]

Double dip it in clear wax after you've finished your design, to help prevent it from being scratched off

[@kamileigh716]

Look up encaustic painting! It’s super fun!

[@chadfromsleepingbeauty]

For straighter lines, using something like a blade could help cut the wax easier, and I bet melting the wax a bit once it’s on the candle will help it be smoother

[@TannaleahCornell]

Something else that might work well is carving out your design and then filling it in with whatever wax color you wanna use (:

[@debiadams3803]

How clever are you!! That looks so fun!!!

[@dakotaflores56]

I loved how you problems solved this so conveniently ♥️

[@arianaink100]

3 tips: a metal nail/pin tool (nail like for woodworking) will cut through way easy and be good for making holes/drawing outlines or making inlays where you make a cut over fill it with wax then remove excess till the surface is one smooth level. and a clay sculpting tool (one that looks like an Apple peeler but a small loop.) it will be easy to cut shapes or to measure things symmetrically/make scallop patterns Spoons. The back of a metal spoon can be dipped to form a petal shape/scoop shape. multiple petals can arranged into a 3D flower.

[@cecille5833]

Friendly reminder that some wax work really well for wax painting like bee wax and a bigger synthetic brush will pick up more wax and let it cool down slower so you can work for longer

[@mazzyg6186]

That looks awesome!

[@redfinpaladin]

If others haven’t recommended it already, they make play sets for kids to play with clay that comes with plastic scalpels and rollers and stuff!! I bet they would work perfectly on the wax

[@chongyunmain]

i would use the stencil to mark my shapes, scrape off enough wax from the candle and just pour or paint with the wax that way, i feel like that would make it look smoother since the wax paint wouldn't stick out of the candle

[@triciacorreia3885]

wow! That looks great! Thanks for the tip!!!

[@rubymarie6232]

If you wanna paint with wax without using candles to paint on or use, wax snaps are a great alternative as they're highly pigmented and meant to paint with!

[@momsmith9267]

I LOVE LOVE this idea!!! Cant wait to try it, thanks for the idea!! 👍👍😁😁

[@averynelson1186]

Theoretically when you're done you could dip them in a bath of wax and then in cold water to basically "clear coat" the candle and seal in the design, but that's also almost an entire extra project and would probably only be worth it if you were doing a bunch of candles at once.

[@hoopthornseaweed]

Hello! Im a dental tech and this is actually a huge part of my dads side of the work and on rare occasion mine. We use essentially clay sculpting tools to paint teeth to life. When our wax isnt hot enough yet and our tools havent gotten warm enough to keep the wax liquid on their own (they are special electric wax sculpting tools) we use a torch and a little variety of clay sculpting tools :D

[@ronieGirl327]

Use painters tape or boxing tape to make the lines more crisp plus you can create any line. Or maybe try creating a "ditch" carve out the pattern and pour hot wax in it?

[@-Adrianne-]

If it’s falling off try scoring the base candle first, love you❤

[@Yadayada_yoda]

That last one was personal😂😂😂

[@limechime9370]

I would use a long soft tip brush for something like this, that's what I use for painting long fine line, both art and makeup. Helps keep the line steady and consistent. Look up KZbin videos for a better example but LONG SOFT TOP BRUSH is the way to go. One that can hold a good amount of wax/paint but not overly globby

[@MsMeyara]

This looks so fun!

[@Pp-ez7yi]

this is kind of how we used to make our candles for our first communion in elementary school in austria

[@suburbanartistry]

You should do rubber brushes. The wax wipes right off. I use them for wax resist on clay or frisket for watercolor. You can find them with the paint supplies or with the clay supplies. In that aisle they'll be called rubber shapers.

[@annej7187]

You should try carving shapes into the white candle, filling it with color, then scraping off the excess with a blade, revealing a straight line.

[@oliviacouillard5674]

You should try carving out the design and then filling it with the wax so it's flush with the candle! I'm definetly trying this!

[@elizzacreates]

Such a cool idea! I love your videos

[@charliebaker1427]

Please people its formally called encaustic painting if you paint in wax but this is the most etsy application of it

[@bunnycakez0326]

For a second, I legit thought she was going to say she’ll be painting with fire😂

[@not_lily10]

that looks so cool!!

[@p1kkuma]

Hi I’m late but I’m a dental student and we use wax to model teeth as students ^^ I would suggest not using a brush but a thin metal applicator, although I know that might be hard to find. If you can find a metal paint brush handle perhaps or something? It’s also better to do swift lines rather than dabbing because the wax hardens too fast, leaving you with clumps. Also after you have a general shape, just heat a metal thing and then melt and smoothen down the surface of the wax to make it look nice!

[@elizaregalado7079]

Wax is widely used to make prostheses in the dental world. You can use a hot spatula (or anything in metal) to apply the wax (make straight lines). The spatula must be hot to pick up the wax and then you can blow lightly so that the wax does not spread. An alcohol torch can help to smooth otherwise alcohol wipe can do the trick. Try and error 🤷‍♀️

[@kaylielopez6460]

UGH GORG, never thought I would paint with waxxx😋

[@inaridrawings2643]

I never colored a candle or ever will, BUT somehow I needed this

[@diamondgirl698]

As someone who has used a lot of candles, this is everything I never knew that I needed 🤩

[@noracola5285]

I would carve the design into the candle, fill it in with the colored wax, then scrape it down until you get clean lines.

[@kathybramley5609]

Ombre full coverage might be a way to use the overspill for creative effect whether you use paper or washi/masking tape.

[@EllaKC1025]

That's so beautiful.❤

[@RamadaArtist]

I dabble in encaustic painting and by far a much easier way to do this is to get an electric hot plate and a cupcake tray you're okay with never using for food again. Melt different colored wax in different cupcake slots, and then use a cheap natural hair paint brush (that you're okay never using for any other kind of paint again.) And embossing gun, or probably even a good hair dryer, will let you reheat wax that's already on the surface you're painting on, which will let you touch up mistakes.