Homemade Crayons

I have wanted to do this for some time now, but I wasn't sure what the right method to use would be. So I listened to the complaints my friends had, and read a blog from a fellow mom, and came up with my own way. I got the great idea to do this now because my friend's little boy is having his first birthday party this weekend (look surprised Stacey!), and I thought it would be fun to make washable ones for him. Then I got the great idea to make these for the kids coming to the mom's group Valentine's day party this week (look surprised girls!). It turned out to be more work then I expected, but that was because I realized halfway through that there were 22 kids coming to the party. The actual work itself was super easy!

Supplies you will need:
-recycled cans (I have been saving my cans from veggies, sauces, beans, whatever, clean them out before use.)
- broken or access crayons in whatever colors you want to make (I divided mine into colors)
- a saucepan (one that it doesn't matter if it gets crayon in it. I bought one just for this project from a thrift store for $1.20!)
- plastic spoons
- wax paper
- a mold of some sort (I had silicon ice cube trays that I got from Target in the dollar section, they are $2.50 for a 3 pack, or you can use muffin tins, regular or disposable, candy molds, whatever you like! I was just at Ikea and they had fun shaped ice cube trays that would work for $.99!)
- tongs
- oven mitt

Now, to start, you will want to take all the paper of the crayons. After hours of peeling with my aching nails, Adam came home and ran a exacto knife down the side and the paper came off very easily! So do that, please! I then separated the colors that I used into it's own can. I laid down 2 sheets of wax paper underneath my working surface to protect my counter. Set out the molds you have on top of the paper. Put your saucepan on the stove top, place a can in, and fill with water until the can is about to float. I had the heat on med-high, and once the crayons start to melt, stir them with a plastic spoon. Once the wax has completely melted, pick the can out of the water with the tongs. I set it on the wax paper and got a better grip with the oven mitt, then poured the wax into the molds. Make sure you fill the molds (at least my ice cube trays) to make it easier to get the crayons out. Let cool until you can touch. Then you can either take the crayons out of the mold (I found that the ones I left in the mold over night were difficult to take out), or layer another color on top. The first batch that I made were the washable crayons and those were just one color. The next batch for the Valentine's party, I made 2 layers. I layered red/orange, blue/purple, yellow/green, and black/brown. Take it from me, you may want to make the yellow ones first, of layer the green on first. Mine took some of the red color from the red crayon batch, but still are mostly yellow! For now I have just stacked them on plates, ready to be put into bags to take with to the parties. I hope this helps some of you looking to do this. If you use this method, let me know what you think and what shapes you make. I'm curious!

Crayons in the cans melting away!

Colors waiting to go

The washable ones in the mold

The finished 2 layer crayons. I think they turned out cute!