Advent Candles as a Fundraiser.

How To...

The candles I use are mass produced dinner candles. I have occasionally painted other candles, when requested, as a means of fundraising. The method is exactly the same. As I am painting a water-based paint onto a wax surface, I need to add a teeny dollop of washing up liquid to the water colour paint (If I were a chemist, I might tell you this reduces surface tension). I could use gouache acrylics or poster paint, but I get a lot more colour for my money with proper water colours. They don't need to be artist quality and, because of being blended with washing up liquid, tubes are easier to use than blocks.

I spoil myself with sable brushes, too. The detail I have on my candles is quite delicate, and sable brushes will hold more paint than synthetic ones. So, getting down to the actual painting...it is simply a matter of working with consistency of the paint on the wax, and the amount of detail and design you want. My advent candles require only one layer, which is so much easier than adding layers (easiest with acrylics as they have a level of water-proof quality once dry).

Before painting, I check the candles thoroughly for defects and marks. Damaged candles can be used at home. Bearing in mind I paint 30 candles in one sitting, I line them all up on some soft fabric. (It's worth remembering that your painting is going onto a very soft surface. It would be silly to paint a mini masterpiece as your creation can so easily be scratched off and ruined).

I start my candles with the little dots at 1cm marks down their length. By the time I've laid down 30 x 24 dots, I know that I have my paint solution fairy close to how I like it. I've also softened and got to know my brush, and I've settled my hand and steadied my eye. The trickiest bit is obviously painting the numbers. I now don't have to think about what number comes next, and never miss a number, but I do have to try and keep the paint flowing at a consistent thickness throughout. Sometimes my paintbrush misbehaves, and sometimes my paint does, but mostly it's me that isn't paying due attention. So, although it's a pleasant evenings work, it takes a lot focus.

With all the numbers painted, I can breathe, fill my wine glass up, and enjoy mixing the Christmassy colours of greens and berry red. The holly leaves are painted with just a few strokes. When that paint has dried, I can add the teeny blobs of red and put each candle down on the fabric as complete. Phew!

You'll see, they're wrapped in bright colours and have an information slip to explain where the money from the painted candle is going.

The joy of creating these advent candles that burn down 1cm each day of December (unless, of course, you forget to blow it out!) is that people tend to be very into 'tradition' at Christmas. Advent calendars and candles are part of the ritual preparation for Christmas, and people who have bought my candles for one year, come back the following year for more. Personally, I don't want cheap chocolate, or glittery nativity scenes. A burning candle helps me focus my mind and brings reflection on the important things about Christmas (and they're not 'things').

For each of my trips to Nepal, I have been able to boost my funds with these candles. In recent years, I have directed the candle funds toward my flight costs. Donations of money always go towards books and equipment to take in my luggage or towards student education in Kathmandu. But my candles are crafted, wrapped and sold after I have given my time, skill, and expenses. Most years, I have money left from the sale of candles to go towards transport costs, etc, while in Nepal.

Most candles are sold locally, and friends have taken bundles at a time to sell on for me. Some candles are posted, which costs just under £3.00 for five candles carefully packed into a Pringles tube. This year I will see how sales fare on Ebay. If you would like to buy candles for yourself or to gift to friends, please get in touch.