Wednesday, February 6, 2013

crayons...what to do with all those broken pieces


I admit to being obsessed with crayons and colored pencils.  My children are hard on their crayons, therefore they often break very easily.
So this project that Ive done with her is basically what kids did back in the 70's and 80's with bottle caps -- except we have made giant rainbow crayons!!!!
This project is not new for me, but this time around I used old plastic measuring cups in the microwave that will now serve as melting cups and molds.  I started doing this after getting disgusted with my overly-used crafting only pot and pouring the hot wax. 

Okay this is really easy and so much fun for the kiddies!  Besides making way cool new crayons, your creating art!  My daughter loved seeing the colors blending together (we even did some painting on thin wood with the melted crayon wax).

Here we go:
1. take the paper off your crayons (i use crayola- i like the texure better)
2. break the pieces in even smaller pieces (the tinier they are the easier they melt)
3. put them in whatever cup or bowl you are using and microwave them with a cover on (do this using small increments of time - think of melting crayons-- 30 seconds, check it do it for another 30) you have to keep checking, Ive had some ready in a minute and some in 40 seconds...you have to eye it.
THIS IS GOING TO BE SCORCHING HOT-- DO NOT LET THE KIDS TOUCH IT, IVE GOTTEN BAD BURNS FROM THIS MYSELF.


Next step is different for those using the measuring cup/mold combo and those using a bowl and then pouring into a mold.

4a. if you have melted th crayons in the measuring cup - let it dry completely!  when its ready flip it over and tap the top until it come out.

4b. if you are pouring it into molds, quickly do so as it melts rather fast.  when its dry pop it out

Wallah!!!  funky beautiful new crayons that your kids can hold in their hands and they aren't easy to break!
 





**** I had to post this pic as well...this is what happened to my pot... do you see the flower????
 





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