Painted Owl Candle

I bought an old candle making kit because it included some funky plastic candle molds like an owl and a mushroom. It looks like it’s from the 70s as the box is intact and the family depicted resembles the Brady Bunch.

Shown here is my completed painted owl candle. (In case anyone wants to grab some acrylic paint, Craft Smart paint is 50% off this week at Michaels!)

The owl candle mold was easy to set up because it included clamps and a stand. The clamps and the stand simply slide into place and I was relieved that none of the wax leaked out.

I’ve done without a stand before, but it’s not always pretty. One of my candle making books suggested inserting the mold into sand if you don’t have a stand, so I’ll try that next time. It would be good to have that extra support on the larger molds.

Does anyone else use anything other than a stand? I’ve used books and chunks of wax, but I’m open to suggestions. If you always use mold stands, where do you purchase them?

Hubcap Creatures is the creative project of British sculptor Ptolemy Elrington, who has transformed discarded hubcaps into captivating sculptures of wildlife. Operating from Brighton, Elrington has been crafting these unique pieces since the late 1990s, turning everyday automotive debris into stunning representations of animals from the natural world.

The artistic process behind Elrington’s sculptures is centered around recycling and upcycling. The hubcaps he uses are typically found on the side of the road and often show signs of wear, including scratches and dents. Elrington believes that these imperfections add character and depth to his creatures, making each piece truly one of a kind.

His work spans a wide range of animals, including foxes, fish, and birds, with each sculpture thoughtfully crafted to showcase the unique features of the materials. The brand logos, grooves, and markings found on the hubcaps often contribute to the creature’s expression and structure, giving them a distinct, textured look.

Elrington’s Hubcap Creatures have been showcased in various exhibitions, both in the UK and internationally. His innovative approach has gained recognition for its creativity and environmental awareness, demonstrating how discarded materials can be transformed into meaningful art.

For art enthusiasts or collectors, Elrington offers a mix of available sculptures and custom commissions, allowing individuals to bring home a piece of this upcycled art. Hubcap Creatures stands as a brilliant example of how creativity can breathe new life into the most unlikely of materials, all while promoting sustainability.

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