Designer Wallpaper Candles

Plain pillar candles
Wallpaper strips or wallpaper border samples*
Tall can
All purpose glue
Paraffin

* Wallpaper border samples work best. This is also a good way to coordinate candles with wallpaper in a room.

Cut paper strip to fit around the candle. Use glue to adhere in place.

Melt clear candle wax or plain paraffin in a tall narrow can, deep enough to nearly submerge candle. (A tall spaghetti sauce can is just right for most candles.)

Hold wick and slowly dip the candle into the melted wax, lowering all the way to the top edge of the candle. (You CAN hold the wick with your fingers if you have to, but a hemostat clamp or small vise grip makes it a lot easier and safer.)

Remove and set the candle on a piece of scrap paper to drain and harden for a few minutes.

If a softer, more muted look is desires, repeat to build up wax layers.

When fully cooled, polish with a pad of wadded up nylon stockings, or use a commercial candle polish/glosser.