A fun and easy project with a beautiful payoff. Learn how to make these Balloon Luminaries.
You will need:
- High-Melt Paraffin Wax (IGI 1260)
- Party Balloons
- Double Boiler
- Cookie Sheet
Instructions:
1. Fill a balloon with tepid water.
2. Melt your wax. Optimum working temperature for this project is 180 degrees Fahrenheit. Try to maintain this temperature for your wax while working by keeping it on a double boiler.
3. Slowly dip your balloon into the wax to just below the water level in the balloon. Warning: Do not dip the balloon into the wax past the water level. This could cause the balloon to pop.
4. Hold the balloon in the wax for a few seconds, and then slowly lift it out of the wax. Dip the balloon a few more times, allowing some time between dips to let the wax cool.
5. While it is still quite warm, carefully set the balloon down onto a piece of paper or a cookie sheet, making sure it is level. This will create a flat bottom for the luminary.
6. Dip your balloon a few more times until it is the desired thickness. A good target thickness is 1/4 to 1/2 of an inch.
7. Set the balloon on the paper or cookie sheet again and let it cool.
8. When the wax is completely cooled, hold the balloon over a sink or bucket, facing away from you. Carefully pop the balloon with a skewer or knife and let the water drain out. Throw away the balloon shards.
9. To level the top of the luminary, heat a cookie sheet on the stove and place the luminary top-down onto the hot sheet and carefully melt the edges until it is level.
10. Place a tea light or votive inside the luminary and burn on a candle holder in a dark area.
Here is an example of these luminaries when using dye.
What type of dye did you use for the coloring?
thank you for the tutorial…how did you get the different colors?
Would normal food colouring do the job?
No, food coloring will not mix with wax.
Kim, I have made these with high wax paraffin with no problem. However, when I used beeswax the wax split apart at the top of the luminaries. Any idea why I can’t make them out of beeswax ?I’ve seen other finished products online with beeswax that look great.
I have seen dried flowers on the outside of these type luminaries. How is that done? Example: sprig of dill?
Gostei muito desse tipo de luminária,penso que foi usada a parading derretida(aquecida),no fogo.Usou uma bexiga(ball),com água,muita cria
tividade,parabéns.
uM FORTE ABRAÇO.
I love this picture please teach me how to do it
I’m very curious about the strength of them & what kind of candle can you burn in them without the heat from the flame melting them, themselves? Are you suppose to use battery powered fake candles?
I use hurricane wax on the balloons and use a tea light or votive in glass container. Hurricane wax is made especially for this type of project
Is it possible to use soy/parrafin blend wax?