Make Your Old Candles New

While un-Christmas-ing our house last weekend I realized we have a bunch of candles that we can’t use anymore but I didn’t want to throw them out because there was still plenty of wick, wax and perfectly good jars for some left over. I have many a glass container sitting in our basement waiting for some good use and it struck me, I can make new candles out of these. I always struggle with our tea lights as well that can’t burn anymore but there is still wax left over. I did some online research and making old candles new really isn’t that difficult.

1. Separate your colored, scented and plain candle wax from each other. In the articles I have read mixing colors generally turns the wax brown so trying to mix may not always be that good of an idea. The same goes for scented wax. The idea of mixing scents sounds fun but they may not mix as pleasantly as you might think.

2. If you have wax in glass containers you can remove the wax by boiling water in a pot. Once the water is boiling put the glass containers in the water and let sit until wax is melted enough to pour out of the container.

3. While you are waiting for the water to boil/wax to melt get your new containers or molds ready.  Make sure to clean the containers first and that they are dry before pouring wax in.  Also make sure the glass is at room temperature before pouring the wax in.  You don’t want them to crack.

4. If you want to add color or scents to plain candles while the wax is melted add some food coloring, or your favorite scented oils. You can also add dried fruit or herbs if you want to get fancy. Make sure to stir thoroughly.

5. Once the was is ready you can pour into the container, mold or cookie sheet. If you are pouring directly into a container make sure to put a straw in the center of the candle while the wax is still hot so you can put the wick in it. Once you have the wick where you want it slowly remove the straw from the middle. I wouldn’t pull the straw completely out so you can make sure the wick doesn’t fall into the hot wax and melt back into the candle. If you are using a cookie sheet/mold and intend to cut out shapes let the wax harden a little before cutting the shapes follow the same instructions for adding the wick as in the container except you may have to hold the straw up if the mold isn’t tall enough to keep the straw from falling over while the wax is still hot.

6. Once the wax has dried a little and is ready to cut, do so carefully with a cookie cutter or knife. Remove the mold or cookie cutter quickly so the wax doesn’t stick to it but also make sure the shape holds. If it doesn’t the wax is too soft.

7. Once the wax is set and hard you have brand new candles without spending any money! You can give them away as gifts or keep them for yourself.

8. If you want to layer colors or scents you can use a oj or milk carton as a mold.  Pour the first layer in the mold and wait for it to set, then the next and so on until you have the layers you want.  You can follow the same directions with the straw as above for adding the wick.

Interesting Uses for Dryer Sheets

If you still use dryer sheets at home here are some interesting uses I read about that will give you more bang for you dryer sheet buck!
Now I will also preface this list by saying that if you do still use them read this list very carefully and think about if the dryer sheet can do the things below maybe you should rethink if they are really necessary to your laundry regime…just sayin.

1. Dish Scrubber – If you have a pesky burnt or baked on something stuck to your dishes and you have no Brillo or anything to scrub it off with, put the dryer sheet on the dirty dish with some soap and warm water over night and apparently the gook will be gone. What is in those suckers?

2. Gnat Repeller – Apparently Kansas State had the funds and interest to find out what repels insects besides repellent and dryer sheets were a winner. Apparently the chemicals used in dryer sheets prevent gnat larvae from surviving. Are you sure you want to continue using those things.

3. Pet Hair Remover – Forget the convenient rollers! Dryer sheets do the work for you. Not only do they do it in the dryer but if you simply rub them on to your dry clothes while you are wearing them they fulfil the same purpose. Good to know!

4.Hard Water Stain Remover – Hullo! Do you have a water stain a sponge and cleaner can’t remove! Then just whip out your handy dandy dryer sheet and it will buff that right out for you! Good to know…or is it?

5. Instant Sachets – I will admit that a few times in the past when we were still using dryer sheets and a sheet got stuck in a pocket or something it def does freshen up your drawer but apparently it works even better when you put an unused one in there too! You can stop using those silly potpourri stuffed bags and just use them from the laundry basket!

Distant Lands Cell Phone Carrier Give Away

 
The winner didn’t claim their prize so we are running the contest again!! The contest begins today and ends on January 27th.
We love Novica.com for introducing us to super cool stuff made by some super cool people. The Distant Lands Cell Phone Carrie is made by Anchalika Chamnan who celebrates the colorful artistry of the Akha hill tribe people with this stitched phone carrier. Cross-stitch patterns recall the images that decorate traditional costumes. Each is sewn of cotton and lined, featuring a coconut shell button.
All you have to do is like me and don’t forget to share so your friends get a chance to win too! The winner has 48 hours to give me their contact info to where I can send their prize as well as send the shipping costs to my Paypal account. If in 48 hours I do not hear from the winner we will just start the contest over! Have fun and I hope you enjoy! Click here to enter!
If you want us to send you an additional gift friend us on Facebook at The Green Beagle and follow us on twitter twitter.com/thegreenbeagle. Once you have done this comment below and we will send you something special with the Distant Lands cell phone carrier.

Mudpuppy Constructibles Building Set - Bold Patterns

Mudpuppy Constructibles Building Set aren’t your normal old blocks! Not only do the colors and patterns make this building set super cool the set is aimed at improving hand/eye coordination which is always a plus for children. They can progress just by playing. I always loved building things as a child. I thought for a while I wanted to be an architect until I found out how horrible in math I was. Guess what greenies? This awesome gift is only $12.99

WorryWoo Monster - Nola

WorryWo Monster Nola I really just love this stuffed animal! I cannot get enough of it. Green is one of my very favorite colors obviously soo this little greenie of sorts just pushed a cute button in me! Nola is perfect for cuddling and loving for years to come and only costs $21.99!

Blue Orange Gobblet Gobblers

 blue Orange Gobblet Gobblers is a cool new way to play tic tac toe! You can gobble up your opponent! This is a great gift for any child. We all remember playing tic tac toe for hours or when we were bored. It is a great travel game as well. This excellent gift idea is only $19.99.

Blue Orange Spot It

Blue Orange Spot It is a super fun think on your feet game where you have to match the symbols together quickly before anyone else! Spot it has 4 different variations to keep you from getting bored and best part is it only costs $14.00!

Blue Orange Tell Tale

Blue Orange Tell Tale is a super fun game! You can inspire imagination and creativeness all in one simple game. You deal out the cards that range from easy to complex and from competition to cooperation and the receiver of the cards has to tell a story using the illustrated cards! How fun! All for $13.99

Pop Bottle Science - 79 Amazing Experiments & Science Projects

Pop Bottle Science- 79 Amazing Experiments & Science Projects This may be for the nerd in your life but whatever this thing is way cool! Pop Bottle Science has 79 different projects right there! Ranging from weather to geology to the body and tons more! How cool is that? To top it off this magic science lab is only $15.00

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This year give gifts that give a more. Our gifts are 100% fair trade, recycled and you get 10% of your entire order with coupon code XMAS. Valis until Dec 24th 2009.

About: Gifts With Humanity is the retail division of Global Fair Trade Crafts Inc DBA Global Crafts.
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Paper Recycling Kit

 How fun ist this? You can teach your children or class about recycling paper and actually show them! This is great for a science project or for something to do around the house! Once your kids learn how to do this it can be a practice carried on through their lives to remember the importance of recycling! Green Creativity has amazing products for learning and fun! Learning to be green is great to start when you are young! You can get your Paper Recycling Kit here.

About:

Repurpose old paper into new paper with Green Creativity’s Paper Recycling Kit! This kit is designed to help your child understand how paper can be recycled.Learn how paper is made and recycled. Create lots of different textures and patterns and make them into unique bookmarks, notepads, greetings cards and more!Another great educational children’s toy that will help your child learn and care for our environment.Kit Includes: 50g of paper, paper making tray, net, 3 tubs of paint, 1 paint brush, colored yarns, silk flowers, ribbon and detailed instructions.

Cut Veggies

This is probably one of the few times it is alright for your children to play with food! You can teach them how to be safe as well as the importance of eating their veggies all in one toy. This toy also helps increase their motor skills and coordination. This toy has used all child safe paints and was Fairly made in Asia.

Color Your Own Cottage

I would have loved this when I was a little girl! You can paint and decorate your own playhouse any way you want! The set comes with non-toxic water colors. The cardboard is made from 45% post consumer waste. Your child can use anything they want to make this playhouse their own. Get creative and most importantly have fun.

RaceCars

You child too can have super race cars made out of recycled milk jugs! These cars are super detailed and can rival the likes of any other race car out there. The cars are made right here in the USA which makes them double awesome.

Dragon

When I was a kid I hated being told I had to stay in the lines! I never wanted to draw anything “perfectly” where was the fun in that? Where was the imagination? This dragon among other styles can teach your child to color out of the lines and follow their own path. I love this little guy! Best of all when you are finished with the toy it is full compostable!

Butterfly Puzzle

I’m a sucker for anything colorful and pretty but this simple educational game is really multi functional and is made to last long. The Butterfly Puzzle can be passed down and shared for years to come. The Butterfly Puzzle has been Fairly Made using child safe paints.

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