If your apartment or dorm room is only one notch above fraternity house chic, try adding a little color, aroma, something not crusted with moldy beer. Candles are not appropriate during Madden tournaments, for quality time with naked chick posters or to set the mood for a kegger. Place them strategically about the house when Mom and Dad are on their way…

Step 1:

Secure wick in center of the base of the mold

Step 2:

Set the block of medium paraffin (costs only $8) into a metal container
Set container in larger, stove top safe pan that contains water
Turn burner on

Step 3:

Temperature should not exceed 200 degrees at any point – wax is flammable!
Once wax thoroughly melts, add dye (crayons can also be melted and used as dye)
The wax can be poured anytime after it reaches 165 degrees
For best results, add scent immediately before pouring

Step 4:

Tilt the mold slightly when pouring
Let cool in a shaded area
If bubbles form on candle surface, wait until candle has hardened then pin prick them
Refill with melted wax
To smooth the base of the candle, set in a pan of warm (not hot) water

Candle molds can be almost anything – get creative! Take an over sized sea shell and fill it with the wax to create a beach scene in your home, or buy premade coconut shells coated with a flame-retardant coating from a craft or party store and create a luau.