www.KennaKristine.com

Sometimes I need a break from sewing so I come up with other little projects to do.  Upcycling old broken crayons was an easy project and now I have lots of little kid friendly gifts to add to my "ran out of time to go shopping" gift drawer. I had a great time making them so I will share my method.


What you will need:
-Old bits of broken crayons with the papers peeled off
-Toothpicks or another type of small stick like utensil 
-Old Cookie Sheet you wouldn't mind only using for crafts from now on.
-Some form of many metal molds. I used the metal cups from tea light candle tins (With a butter knife I was able to carve a simple peace sign in the bottom of the cups. You can put any letter or symbol you want)
-A Conventional Oven
-Freezer 

How to do it...
Step 1: 
After removing all paper Break Crayons into smal pieces about 1/4 to 1/2 an inch
Step 2: 
This is a good step for the kids. Separate crayons by color, this allows for easy mixing later in the process. I used plastic cups to hold each of the color groups.
Step 3: 
Place metal molds on to cookie sheet. The more you do at a time the faster the process will go.Leave at least a 1/4" space between so they are not overcrowded
Step 4: 
ADULTS ONLY Set oven to Broil !!!WARNING FIRE HAZARD!!! (This is the fast way but it is very important that you stay with the crayons while they melt. I left the first batch a little to long and the caught fire.) 
Step 5: 
This step is a good one for the kids to do.Place broken bits into metal molds. Fill to top edge of molds. Mix different shades of the same color along with a few white or black pieces for a swirling effect. Mixing primary colors also has a cool effect. easy color combos: red+blue=purple, yellow+blue=green, yellow+red=orange
Step 6: 
ADULTS ONLY Now you are ready to place crayons into oven to melt. Once in the oven crayons should only take a minute to melt. Stay with the crayons while they are in the oven do not leave the room. I have to say it again !!!WARNING FIRE HAZARD!!! (This is the fast way but it is very important that you stay with the crayons while they melt. I left the first batch a little to long and they caught fire. I used a wet dish towel to smother the flames) 
Step 7: 
Remove melted crayons from oven. Some may not have melted all the way due to varying temps in oven. Some times you can simply stir these ones with a tooth pick and they melt into themselves fairly easy. You may have to put the stubborn ones back in the oven.
Step 8: 
Stir melted crayons slightly with a toothpick. These will create a swirling effect in the mixed colors.
Step 9: 
Let crayons cool to room temp. If you don't wait for them to cool the might crack in the freezer.
Step 10: 
Place hardened crayons into freezer. This will allow you to remove the crayons from their molds easier.
Step 11: 
Enjoy your new crayons or wrap in wax paper or cellophane to give as a gift. If you used the tea light candle tins they will stack very nicely on top of each other