Learn how to do anything: How to Make Colorful Pine Cone Fire Starters

Wednesday, October 4, 2017

How to Make Colorful Pine Cone Fire Starters

If you're looking for a fun craft to make easy gifts for parties, pine cone fire starters can be a great option. They can also be a fun craft to make just for yourself. All you need is some wax, a stove, and some pinecones to make beautiful decorative candles you can use in a fireplace or on a camping trip.

EditSteps

EditMaking Your Wax

Melt your soy wax. Place a heat proof container, such as a glass mixing bowl, inside a large pan filled with water. Place your pan over a stove and add your soy wax. Turn on the stove and melt your wax, stirring constantly.^[1]
- Medium to high heat should be sufficient to melt wax.
- The amount of wax you use depends on how many fire starters you're making. More fire starters will need more wax. You only need a small amount of wax, around a cup (240 mL) or less, to make a single candle.
Mix color blocks into the wax. Wax kits should come with color blocks that you add to the wax to create colors. Chop up a color block, in your chosen color, and add a small amount of the block to your wax. Stir the block into the wax until it's melted and blended completely into the wax.^[2]
- Most kits have recommendations on how much color block to add per pound of wax. However, it's generally better to choose your own amounts, starting with a small amount of wax and building up. This way, you can create the color you prefer.
Test the colors. Place a piece of wax paper on a counter near your stove. Dip a wooden spoon into the wax mixture and let a small amount of wax drip onto the paper. Wait until the wax is dry and check the color to see if you like it.^[3]
- Drying times will vary, but a small amount of wax should not take more than a few minutes to dry.
Adjust your colors as needed. If you want a darker color, return to the wax mixture to the stove. Add a little more of your color block and stir it into the wax until it melts. Test the color again to see if you like it. Keep adding color blocks in small amounts until you get a color you like. When you're done, remove the wax from the heat.^[4]

EditCoating Your Pinecones with Wax

Wrap your pinecones with twine. Start wrapping near the base of the pinecone, looping the twine around the pinecone's center by weaving it between the scales. Keep weaving until you reach the other end of the pine cone. Tie a firm knot on the top of the pine cone and cut the twine so you have a few inches/centimeters of twine coming out the top.^[5]
Dip your pine cone into the wax. Grab the twine stemming off the top of the pine cone. Dip the pine cone all the way into your wax mixture and then pull it up. Your pinecone should be coated in wax.^[6]
- You should remove the wax from the stove and turn the burner off before dipping your candles.
Keep dipping until your pinecone is your desired thickness. After the first layer, some edges of the pine cone will not be coated and the wax will not be very thick. Keep dipping your pine cone until its completely coated and the wax is as thick as you want.^[7]
- There are no strict rules in terms of how thick the wax should be. It's a matter of personal preference.
- There is no need to let the wax dry between coats.

EditDrying and Decorating Your Pinecones

Set the pinecone aside to cool. Use a baking sheet, wax paper, or a paper plate. Once your pine cone is coated to your liking, set it on your chosen surface to cool and dry.^[8]
- Drying times depend on how much wax you used, but most pine cones should be cool and dry within 24 hours.
Make tags using pieces of cardboard and twine. Cut out pieces of cardboard paper into the shapes of small tags. Punch a hole on the top of the tags and string a small piece of twine through the hole. Take a pen and write a cute message on each tag.^[9]
- For example, if you're making pinecones for a Christmas or holiday party, write something like, "Happy Holidays!"
Secure the tags to your pinecones. Tie the string from the tag around the top of the pinecone. There should be a small knob near the top where the pine cone thins where you can easily tie the tag. Then, tie the twine into a nice bow to secure the tag to the pine cone.^[10]
Use your fire starters. Light the wick of your pine cone. Then, place it in fresh kindling or a fireplace stocked with wood and sticks to start a fire. Do not light your fire starters as candles.^[11]