How to Make Pine Cone Candles

Push the loose end of a wick in between two rows of pine cone sections near the base of the cone. Wrap the wick around the pine cone from the base upward, working the wick in between the rows. When you get to the top of the pine cone, tie a knot in the wick and cut it, leaving a 7- to 8-inch section hanging from the top.

Heat one block of paraffin wax in a soup pot over medium heat until it is totally liquified. Add any food coloring or scents you want while the wax is still in liquid form. Start with two to three drops of each and add more if necessary.

Hold the pine cone by the loose end of the wick and dip it into the wax once. Hold the cone over the pot until it stops dripping, then place it on a wax-paper lined cookie sheet to dry.

Remove the pot of paraffin wax from the heat source and allow it to cool until the wax starts to congeal.

Dip the pine cone into the congealing wax, lift it out and hold it over the pot until the dripping stops. Repeat this dipping process until you build up the desired level of wax coating on the cone.

Set the cone on the cookie sheet to dry for 24 hours. When it's fully dry, cut the wick down to 2 to 3 inches with a sharp scissors.