Just Like That, I am Back

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 If I said I was back, would you believe me? Blogging is complicated, and there are so many "get rich quick" blogging schemes that make it look like you are a lost cause if you are not currently earning money blogging. And why are you even blogging if you don't have multiple streams of income and entertainment. If you don't have a brand? I do have this website, but I do not have Instagram, Twitter, TikTok (you don't want to see me dance), or whatever is next.  Heck, I haven't even updated this since before the pandemic. So why am I here, writing about being back and then, probably ghosting for another two years? Life has been rough. It's been painful and overwhelming. I am so thankful for you my readers, or what is left of you. I am so thankful you are reading this post. I am so thankful that you are still committed to making the world a more exciting and more sustainable place.  Keep up-cycling my friends, and you never know, I might be back again with an
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Upcycled Crayon Tutorial

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I recently purchased two bags full of partially used crayons from a garage sale. The total cost $1.00. Score.




Here is the thing, I love crayons but I wanted to make them a little more than what they were. I did not come up with this idea. I have actually seen quite a few people upcycling crayons lately. I guess the big difference between my crayons and some of the others is that I went with combined colors not just solid colored crayons. I also only used crayons that have already had a lot of "fun" already (aka used crayons).

So here we go.

I started with a bunch of silicone ice cube trays I bought from IKEA.

I peeled the papers off of the crayons, broke them, and put a few like-minded colors together. I also sprinkled a little glitter in the ice cube trays for some fun.

I pre-heated my oven to 275 and placed the crayons in the oven for twenty minutes until they were melted. The time will vary based on how many crayons you are melting.

Allow the crayons to cool and gently  manuver the new crayons out. I found out the hard way that if your form has a lot of small parts it's probably going to crumble. My star crayons did not make it.

The heart crayons did a little better but I did not put enough recycled crayons into the ice cube trays so they turned out a little too thin.


Now we are talking! Here the flower crayons. I love them and I love the multi-layered colors.



Done and Done! Don't you love it.


***UPDATE***

A few people asked if the crayons started to "smell" when i baked them. They didn't. It was a nice safe project that I will happily do again. However next time I do it I am trying a different method. I will be using a double broiler and melting them over the stove. I will pour the crayons in a candy mold and voila, when they dry they should be nice and shiny (You might notice my crayons are a little dull). If you are interested in this method check out this tutorial at Homemade By Jill.

Of couse the crayons won't have the multicolored goodness, but it is always fun to try new things:)

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Comments

Caroline @ Artfully Caroline said…
Very cute. A little question though: How about the smell during the "baking" part? Does this require open windows ?
October 18, 2010 at 10:40 PM
Jill said…
Oooh, good question Caroline!

I've seen these all over and kinda want to try it. Maybe I'll make some for my little cousins and friend's kids for Christmas...
October 19, 2010 at 12:34 AM
Robin Ange said…
It actually didn't release any odors. Luckily! This is the second time I made them in the over. Next I am going to try on the stove in a double broiler. I will let you all know how that goes.
October 19, 2010 at 11:51 AM
HelenClyde said…
Cool! I used the same icecube molds for making little soap, and last month, I used crayons to melt them with the rests of old candles, to color them and mae new ones. But I hadn´t thought of this! It´s a nice Idea, and I´m sure I will try this soon!
October 19, 2010 at 2:00 PM
Anonymous said…
Thanks for good stuff
October 19, 2010 at 2:08 PM
Jennifer Leigh said…
These are really cool! I like that they are multi-colored.
October 19, 2010 at 2:19 PM
ANKH said…
I did something like this a long time ago. I turned them all into shavings and tiny crumbles and used the sun to melt them.

I've had a mountain of crayons awaiting this treatment. Thanks for reminding me! :)
October 19, 2010 at 5:45 PM
Unknown said…
Cute! Great idea- especially for those of us with a lot of broken/ half crayons!
October 19, 2010 at 9:56 PM
Kelley said…
how fun! thanks for the idea
October 20, 2010 at 1:18 PM
Betsy@My Salvaged Treasures said…
Cute idea, it makes them much more special. It reminds me of when I was real young and we used to use the crayons to color candles. Ours smelled real bad though.
Thanks for hosting each week, I really enjoy it.
October 20, 2010 at 4:19 PM
Sweeter Hours said…
We love making these. Fab and cheap birthday party favor!
October 20, 2010 at 11:04 PM
Anonymous said…
If you use the double boiler method you can still layer the colors, though it would take a little more time. Pour one color, let it cool then pour the next one, and repeat. At least I think it will work, I haven't tried it yet ;)
January 15, 2012 at 11:44 AM
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