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Homemade Candles With The Kids
By Jara Anton
It's a rainy autumn day and your kids are bouncing off the walls. You need a project and you need one quick! You're out of cotton balls, there's no glue and if you find one more wayward sparkle in your carpet, you're going to lose your mind! What to do?
Ever thought of making candles? It's not as messy as it sounds, plus, you get the chance to teach your children about yesteryears. Histor-ically, candles have an interesting pedigree. The Egyptians made beeswax candles as early as 3000 BC, the Chinese crafted their candles out of whale fat and in India, and the wax from boiling cinnamon was their version of the candle. Later, early Colonists used the boiled fat from sheep and cows. They also found that boiled bayberries could function as wax, but the yield was poor. But of course, you will not have to boil any berries or kill any animals for today's candle craft.
The materials you will need will likely be found around the house. You will need 2 pots, one being larger than the other. Use old, junky pots, as you will be melting wax in one of them. If you can scare up a retired empty metal coffee pot for the wax, but, if not, no problem. You will also need some containers to pour your candles into.
As promised, you will not be slaughtering any farm animals for your candles. I suggest going to the thrift store and rescue some old candles. All are useful, as we are going to melt them down, utilizing their remaining wax and their wicks, as well. I suggest that you try to find the tallest candles possible, thus giving you plenty of wick to work with. While shopping, grab an array of shapes and sizes, that way you will have a unique collection of finished candles.
At this time, fill the big pot and get the water boiling, you will now begin melting the wax in the smaller pot you have put into the boiling water. It is important that you don't get any water into the wax. You have time while the wax is melting to prepare the candle containers and wicks. You will tape your wick into the bottom of your container. When the wax is ready, carefully pour into your container. You must hold the wick straight up until the wax hardens. After the wax is cooled and set, flip the container over and work out your candle. Because you taped your wick, you will have a wick ready on top and bottom. Simply snip the bottom wick and you're done.
But that doesn't have to be the finished product. You're done only if you want to make a boring old recycled candle. You may want to spice it up by adding wonderful scents to your candle. It's simple, if you like cinnamon; add the spice powder into the wax as it melts. If you want something more floral, throw a handful of potpourri in there, let it sit for a bit, marinating in the wax. If you're feeling particularly frisky, head up to your local craft store. They will have a staggering array of scents for your homemade candles.
You will probably want to re-color your salvaged wax, as well. You can pick out some crayons and peel the labels off and then add them to your melted wax. After the crayons melt, stir their color in, unless you're into a crazy magic bus vibe! You also have the option to layer your colors. That means that you melt different colors and pour only a small amount of wax, letting it harden. Then follow up with another layer of wax, thus creating a layering effect. You may keep layering until you get the effect that you want.
As far as your selection of containers, think outside the box! If you don't want a cup-shaped candle, don't use a cup as your container. If you want a ball candle, buy a cheap plastic ball and cut holes on top and bottom. The holes will allow your wick to be present while you pour in your wax. You will thread your wick through and tape up the hole with a heavy duty household tape, after you fill the ball, tape up the other side while the wax hardens.
It all boils down to your imagination and creativity when you craft your own candles. Chances are you'll get halfway through your project day and come up with a hundred and one more ideas for next time. You never know, maybe this rainy day project will segway into a profitable home business!
Mostly Ghostly DVD Release Party
By Kenyth Mogan
Boys, girls, ghosts and ghouls turned out for the Mostly Ghostly DVD release party at Universal Citywalk in Hollywood. The film's stars spoke with the press, posed for photos, signed autographs, and interacted with the fans. The attendees of the event were given a performance of the film's theme "Mostly Ghostly" by it's star Sterling Beaumon, as well as a performance from the sibling made band 'Ready, Set, Go!' As a special treat, Cole and Dylan Sprouce, stars of the Suit Life of Zack and Cody made a special appearance.
The film is based on the book series of the same name by iconic young adult horror writer R.L Stine and stars Madison Pettis (the Game Plan), Sterling Beaumon (Four Christmases), Luke Benward (How to Eat Fried Worms), David DeLuise (Wizards of Waverly Place), Brian Stepanek and Kim Rhodes ( both of The Suite Life of Zack and Cody) as well as Noah Cyrus (Hannah Montana). The film also features, Sabrina Bryan (The Cheetah Girls), Adam Hicks (How to Eat Fried Worms), Ali Lohan (Living Lohan) and Dylan Tucker (Space Jam).
Max Doyle (Beaumon), is a young wannabe magician, who stumbles across a real magic ring that has the power to unleash the most evil of ghosts, Phears (Stepanek). Max is befriended by two adolescent ghosts Tara and Nicky (Pettis and Benward) who try to help him find the spell that will seal away Phears forever, all while trying to escape the constant bullying of his older brother Colin (Adam Hicks).
Only a few members of the press were given all access to the actors, allowing them to not only talk professionally, but casually as well. Brian Stepanek, who's new series Brian O'Brian is currently playing on the Disney Channel, is very humble about his fame and very encouraging of young actors. "You just have to keep at it," he says. He came out to California, after a successful run in the Chicago musical theatre circuit.
David DeLuise is no stranger to film or the Disney channel. The son of screen legend Dom DeLuise, David laughs at the fact that there are young people who have seen films of his Father's and say that he's copying David. "What they don't know," he jokes "Is that everything I have, I got from him." This is David's first movie geared entirely towards Children.
Since her movie The Game Plan With Dwayne Johnson, ten year old, Madison Pettis has kept herself very busy. She has three other films due out later this year. Free Style produced by (and starring) Corbin Bleu, followed by Seven Pounds with Will Smith, and Dear Santa: A Muppet's Christmas.
"This is the first movie that I was the star and was on the cover!" Sterling Beaumon gushes "and I thought it was awesome! I love it so much, I put it on the back of my shoes!" He turned so that I could see the Mostly Ghostly written on the back of the shoes Nike made especially for him. Not only is he a talented young actor, but the kid also has a great voice. Though he is excited about singing, he is just as excited about acting, not wanting to do one more or less than the other.
At eight years old, this is Noah Cyrus' first film, and though she loved everything about it, she has still not been able to catch the movie on the Disney Channel. "The last time I turned on my TV," She sighs, "I saw the credits!"
Adam Hicks enjoyed the film and is gearing up to star as Luther in an upcoming Disney show called Mongoose and Luther - a show geared mainly towards boys.
Mostly Ghostly is directed by Richard Corell, who also directed the first movie to air on the Disney Channel. He also does direct (and was one of the creators of) Hannah Montana. This film started off as an independent project with Universal. "When we cast the film, we cast it with a lot of Disney people so that they were all friends - kind of from the same family, so it just worked out. They are really good talent, and families recognize them. It's made for kids, but it's scary, well." The film also features an original song by Bob Saltzburg "Magic in Me" which he wrote specifically for the film. "I loved it immediately," Rich told him. "That's one of the reason's I wanted to make it one of the themes of the film."