Make several of these tea-light holders or luminaires and place a candle in each. The soft light that results will create a lovely atmosphere in your home.
You will need
• candle wax
• balloons (buy standard sizes made from thicker quality rubber)
• thermometer
• wax paper
• foil
1 Put pieces of candle wax (we used 1kg) into a stainless steel bowl and place it over a pot of gently boiling water so the wax can melt. Stir it with a tongue depressor or metal spoon.
2 Fill the balloons with lukewarm water, tie them closed and then place them into a bowl of lukewarm water. NOTE Cold water will cause the balloons to burst.
3 Turn off the plate on the stove when the wax has melted and then insert the thermometer into the wax. Leave the wax to cool until it reaches 80 degrees Celsius.
4 Take a balloon from the water and dry it well. Dip it into the wax for just a few seconds, remove it then dip it in again after a few seconds. Repeat once more.
5 Place the balloon on a surface that has been covered with wax paper. Hold it in place lightly so the wax can set and form the flat base of the candleholder. Keep it in one position until the wax has set.
6 Dip the balloon into the wax a few more times in order to thicken the wax layer. The outer layer of wax will start to melt again, but as the layers build up and set it will become sturdy enough to stand by itself.
7 When the candleholder is strong enough, you can hold it over a bowl or the sink and prick the balloon so it bursts and the water runs out. The balloon will pull away from the wax by itself.
8 Make the rim smooth by rubbing it on a baking tray covered with foil over a lukewarm stove plate. The rim will melt slightly and become smoother as you rub it. You can now place a tea-light candle in the holder.
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