Mother's Day

Make Mum feel extra special this Mother’s Day with a thoughtful handmade gift. Our craft ideas are sure to brighten Mum’s day and our step by step activities make it really easy to get crafty this Mother's day.

Beeswax Lantern

Use melted beeswax to create a beautiful lantern, perfect for gifting to Mum this Mother’s Day!
  • Step 1Cut or grate the pure beeswax block into a microwave safe bowl. Adult supervision is recommended.
  • Step 2Stretch the balloon by inflating and then deflating. Fill the balloon with water to get a nice shape. Remove the air from the balloon before tying a knot so it is completely, or as close to completely full of water as you can get it.
  • Step 3Microwave the beeswax in 30-60 second increments until it is completely melted. Keep a close eye on the wax so it doesn’t burn and be very careful when touching the bowl as it will get extremely hot. Stir the wax to make sure it is completely melted and runny. Adult supervision is recommended when using the microwave and handling hot, melted wax.
  • Step 4Take the water filled balloon and dip into the melted wax. Roll the balloon around if needed, to get the wax up the side of the balloon as well. Continue to dip the balloon in and out of the wax allowing it to slightly cool each time, until you have built up a firm wax coating. You want the lantern to be sturdy enough to stand, but also thin enough to get a nice effect with the light coming through.
  • When dipping, be sure not to get any wax above the ‘tide line’ if you haven’t been able to remove all the air from your balloon. The water works to absorb the heat from the wax, however if the hot wax touches the balloon with just air it may burst.
  • Step 5When you have built up enough layers, place your balloon down on some baking paper. The weight of the balloon should create a flat bottom so it stands. Allow to cool and set.
  • Step 6Once the wax has completely dried, place the balloon into a bowl and carefully cut the top off, making sure to hold the balloon so water doesn’t go everywhere! Drain the balloon of water and remove it from the wax. Adult supervision is recommended when using scissors.
  • Step 7Place an LED candle inside the lantern and turn off the lights for a beautiful glow!
  • This lantern is only suitable for LED tealights. Do not use a naked flame within the lantern.

Materials used in this activity

Balloons - Coloured - Pack of Approximately 100
Optional
Product Code: 10003
EACH $18.69 (inc GST) $16.99 (ex GST)
6 or more $13.85 (inc GST) $12.59 (ex GST)          
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Student Scissors - Pack of 20
Optional
Product Code: 10897
EACH $43.99 (inc GST) $39.99 (ex GST)
3 or more $32.99 (inc GST) $29.99 (ex GST)          
Increase value Decrease value
Battery LED Tealight Candles - Pack of 12
Optional
Product Code: 18915
EACH $27.49 (inc GST) $24.99 (ex GST)
5 to 9 $21.99 (inc GST) $19.99 (ex GST) 10 or more $19.24 (inc GST) $17.49 (ex GST)
Increase value Decrease value
Australian Pure Beeswax - 100g Block
Optional
Product Code: 19180
EACH $25.29 (inc GST) $22.99 (ex GST)
3 or more $20.23 (inc GST) $18.39 (ex GST)          
Increase value Decrease value
Wooden Teaspoons - Pack of 25
Optional
Product Code: 20098
EACH $4.39 (inc GST) $3.99 (ex GST)
5 or more $3.29 (inc GST) $2.99 (ex GST)          
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