Worldwide Beekeeping
Beekeeping => Products Of The Hive => Topic started by: Bakersdozen on December 21, 2022, 10:08:59 pm
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Here's a last minute gift idea.
I make pinecone fire starters. for a neighbor, to give as a Christmas gift. This year I thought I would dye some of the pinecones red. It's something I saw online.
Here's how I did it:
Pick up pinecones and wash them. I'm not sure this step was necessary, but I did it. Let dry.
(https://i.ibb.co/yP4DTsp/20221218-101114-resized.jpg) (https://ibb.co/yP4DTsp)
In a large pot or container mix 2 quarts of warm water, 1/4 cup vinegar, and 1 ounce red food coloring. Submerge your pinecones in the liquid overnight.
(https://i.ibb.co/nQHx3sY/20221219-115417-resized.jpg) (https://ibb.co/nQHx3sY)
Remove pinecones from liquid and allow to dry thoroughly. To speed the drying process up I put them in the oven, on the warm setting, for a few hours.
(https://i.ibb.co/1RX39zt/20221220-084003-resized.jpg) (https://ibb.co/1RX39zt)
When dried, tie some candle wicking to each pinecone. Prepare the beeswax. I used wax that had been only lightly filtered. You could also use sludgy wax for this project too.
Using the wick as a handle, dip your pinecones in the melted wax. I like to make sure the wick that is wrapped around the pinecone is covered in wax so that I am sure it won't slip off. Allow to dry and they are ready to use.
(https://i.ibb.co/DM3PmkZ/20221220-175734-resized.jpg) (https://ibb.co/DM3PmkZ)
(https://i.ibb.co/LkYjJDq/20221221-131427-resized-1.jpg) (https://ibb.co/LkYjJDq)
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Those are great! They'd make good stocking stuffers.
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These are just pretty ;) I like the beeswax on them.
These are what I buy from a mom here in town. Parifin, soy wax, wood chips. I get 50 for $30. I cut them in half because they start the fire just as well. I have offered beeswax but she chooses her own recipe. She says people buy them for their grills and camping fires, people keep them stored in their RV's.
(https://i.ibb.co/6rRX4FK/320882058-1491507761358783-5849590003261131056-n.jpg) (https://ibb.co/6rRX4FK)