Halloween Balloon Wax Luminaries

A wonderful craft idea that can be used for lighting your walkway or indoors on a table is a Halloween Wax Luminary. These candle luminaries are made from wax and use water balloons as a mold. It's simple, inexpensive and relatively quick to make.

Simple materials will need to be gathered. All of these items can usually be found in your home and at the craft store. Purchase High Melt Paraffin Wax, as this is the best wax for holding a tea light. You will also need 6" or 7" water balloons, a double boiler, sharp knife, a small amount of sand, orange wax dye, tea lights, thermometer and a cookie sheet.

Begin by setting up your double boiler and preparing the wax. Melt about one pound of wax to 180 degrees and maintain that temperature throughout the process. This is the best temperature for the wax to mold, so use your thermometer to check it often. While the wax is melting, fill the water balloons with lukewarm water. Fill the balloons to about the size of a softball. When the wax is melted add about 7 drops of the orange dye.

Hold the tip of the balloon and slowly dip it into the wax, WITHOUT letting the wax go above the water level in the balloon. If it does, your balloon will pop and water will get into your wax and it will be ruined. Slowly lift the balloon out, let it cool a few moments, and dip again. Continue doing this 3-4 times. Place the balloon onto the cookie sheet, keeping it level and slowly letting go of the balloon. While the balloon cools, a flat bottom is created. Repeat the entire process again, dipping the balloon 3-4 more times and letting it cool on the cookie sheet.

Once the luminary has cooled, use the knife to pop the balloon and empty the water. Carefully clear out any left over balloon pieces. Heat the cookie sheet over a stove and place the luminary upside down on the sheet, letting the wax melt a bit until the top is level. Let the luminary cool again before adding a few teaspoons of sand to the bottom. This prevents the tea light from melting through the bottom of the luminary.

Pop a tea light into the luminary and watch the beautiful orange glow it creates! You may also use battery operated tea lights if small children will be around or for protection from melting. It's possible to jazz up the luminaries by placing objects on the outside of them such as black Halloween stickers, which cast an eerie shadow across your driveway!