Monday, December 17, 2012

Pine cone Firestarters

I found these online last year and had to do them! 
The original calls for oils to scent, but I can't find oils by me so I used scented wax melts. 

Joann's had the wax for $8
Walmart had the scented wax for $2
Pinecones came from the local park
Hemp rope was used for the wick and I got it for jewelry making

I grabbed a large can from my recycling bin (it was for clams for clam chowder). I wanted something that was deep enough to dip pine cones in, and not too wide that the wax would be too shallow. Peel off the label, remove the top and wash it well.

I just filled a medium sized pot about half-way with water and dropped the can filled with wax and scented wax in there.. Going too high in the temperature makes the water boil and will bounce the can around in the pot causing splashing and injury.

While the wax is melting, take the string of your choice and wrap it starting at the bottom of the pine cone  Leave a tail in the top and tie it off at the top of the pine cone  You don't want it unwrapping covered in hot wax. I used a crochet hook to tie it off so I didn't poke myself. 





One pound of candle wax made me 12 pine cones  but can make many more if your pine cones are small enough and you have the patience. 

I dipped 6 and shook out any excess and placed them on a piece of wax paper. Then I tossed them in an empty space in my fridge and dipped the other 6. I rotated them in and out of the wax and fridge for 3 layers of wax. On the last layer, I dipped the top with the wick first and then flipped it over to do the last layer on the bottom of the pine cones. 


This took me about 1 1/2 hours to make from start to finish They smell good, made the house smell good, and are a cheap, thoughtful, functional gift this holiday :) I tossed them in brown paper lunch sacks that I wrote on with Sharpie and they are good to go to my dad and step dad. They are going to love them!