a box full of crayons and nothing to do

[kiana]

i just found this website and i am *more than* ecstatic.

so here's my first question: i've got a bunch of crayons, and i'm wondering if anyone has any unusual ideas for crayons besides the suncatcher and the candle?

[abricot]

I remember when I was in school we melted bits of the crayons and used it to decorate jars.. We poured the melted bits inside the jar and swirled them around to make abstract patterns...

Might make for some pretty interesting vases/pencil holders, etc... I'd assume though having the jars placed in a sunny place or around excessive heat would cause the crayon to melt again... but maybe there is a way to seal it?!

[miss_mom]

With my kids, we've recycled the crayons - either in regular or mini muffin tins, break up the crayons and put them in the tins (use liners, of course!). I preheat the oven to 350, then put the crayons in, and shut the oven off. Should melt in 10-15 - if not, put the oven on low (250 or so) just for 3 minutes or so. The kids get fun new shapes in crazy colors. I'm thinking of trying to do something like this but with candy molds in heart shapes and maybe a hot bath for Valentines Day favors for school!I'm thinking maybe a waterbath in the turned off oven ... hmmm, I'll let you know!

[MissRoo]

I've always wanted to try this:
http://www.marthastewart.com/page.jhtml?type=content&id=channel1133&rsc=tc12&page=1&site=
Crayon hearts for Valentines Day! It's just the right time for it, too

[miss_mom]

MissRoo, thanks for that link, that looks too cool! I think this is a definite good kid project too (other than the ironing part of course!) - just think, you could do different colors and shapes for different holidays - Easter eggs, Red, White and Blue stars, leaves, - such possibilities!

[marisa]

crayon mosaic:
what if you  used the muffin tin idea but with a whole flat cookie sheet (or what i think is technically called a jelly roll pan, but god knows why - what the hell is a jelly roll?).
you could cleverly place the crayons (or pieces) to melt together into a really beautiful design and then hang it on your wall.  i bet while it's still somewhat fluid you could swish a fork through it to swirl the colors.
but this could be a total disaster as i have not tried it.

[miss_mom]

Marisa - cool idea! 2 things I think of off the top of my head .... (and yes, it's called a jelly roll pan - it's like a cookie sheet with slightly higher sides) ... line whatever you are using with either waxed paper, parchment paper or foil (the foil could actually add a cool texture to the design!) and second, think about how you want to hang it before it cools, so you could make some sort of holes in it while it is still slightly soft.

Along that idea, you would probably use cookie cutters as molds, poke holes in them, and make some sort of sun catchers out of them.

[VaguelyVogue]

... but maybe there is a way to seal it?!

 i wonder if resin would work?


you could put the melted wax in soap molds and make cute little crayon shapes as gifts for little kids! like get a fuit mold or something and but purple crayons in the grapes shape, red in the apples  ect...  candy molds would work well too, i remember seeing a consignment website somewhere  and someone sold really cool crayons that were recylced, i cant even remember what they looked like or where it was but if i find it illl post it!
now i wish i had some old crayons to use!!


           LaURi C.

[Goddess]

if you have an old, flat frying pan that you don't care to use for cooking anymore you can try this idea.

we used to take an old crepe pan and melt little bits of crayon onto it, then throw a piece of tissue or tracing paper on top to suck up the wax. we'd then take all the different pieces of paper we'd done this to and starch them to our bedroom windows. Looked like funky stained glas, and it was pretty opaque so made for good privacy.

[kiana]

I've always wanted to try this:
http://www.marthastewart.com/page.jhtml?type=content&id=channel1133&rsc=tc12&page=1&site=
Crayon hearts for Valentines Day! It's just the right time for it, too

ok, i totally didn't want to make sun catchers UNTIL i saw this link. they're so gorgeous!