Kindling chips: a quick and cozy DIY gift
Kindling chips come together easily using leftover candles melted into wax and cotton pads. By also crafting a charming box from recycled materials, you’ll have a warmth-bringing gift sure to delight a loved one. Be sure to include usage instructions for these chips, as they aren’t meant to be eaten!
Kindling chips—materials:
- melted candle wax (for example, from leftover candle pieces; see the link to melting instructions below).
- cotton pads
- a small Pringles can
- a piece of wallpaper or other patterned paper
- Multi-purpose glue (eg. EriKeeper)
- a brush for applying glue.
Kindling chips—instructions:
1. Melt your leftover candle pieces in a glass jar placed in a pot, following these instructions [in Finnish]. Fill the pot about 1/3 with water and bring it to a boil. Be careful not to let water enter the jars. Stir the wax occasionally to speed up melting, and allow it to become fully liquid.
2. Lay out parchment paper next to the pot. Using tongs, dip one cotton pad at a time into the melted candle wax, then place it on the parchment paper to dry. Straighten the wet pads, and let them dry thoroughly.
3. Make a storage box for the kindling chips by cutting a piece of wallpaper or other patterned paper to the size of the Pringles can. In the width direction, allow about 1 cm (0.4 in) of extra paper beyond the can. Then dilute some glue with water at about a 1:1 ratio. Using a brush, spread the glue mixture on the back of the paper, attach it to the can, and let it dry.
5. Store the finished kindling chips in the decorated box. They also make a thoughtful gift or a popular item to sell at fairs. You can use the chips to light a fireplace, campfire, or grill, as they burn steadily for a long time.
