A few things to see outdoors this month and a thing to do, too…
As well as being a bountiful time for your nature table. September seems like a good month to appreciate the coast now it’s quieter and to make some memories to see you through winter, too. Here’s an idea for a simple make that does both those things - Scented Seashell Candles.
You’ll need: a bain-marie; a selection of seashells*; beeswax and tealight wicks (both available from craft suppliers); essential oil of your choice – we like sweet orange and ylang ylang.
1 Clean and dry your shells, then place them in a plastic container of sand to help them stay still.
2 Set up your bain-marie with a small metal bowl inside a larger pan of boiling water.
3 Add the beeswax to the smaller bowl and wait for it to melt. Once it’s liquid, add in a few drops of your essential oil and stir.
4 Pour some of the beeswax into the empty shells and then add a tealight wick to each one. Wait for them to set before lighting, and enjoying the relaxing scent and a reminder of happy days by the sea.
*Only take empty shells from the beach and only a few at a time. Have a look round your house and garden, too – you may well find a few seashells from beach days gone by.
This kitchen table project was featured on our Almanac Pages, where each month we collate a few seasonal things to note and notice, plan and do. The nature table image above was taken by Alice Tatham of The Wildwood Moth who takes a photograph for our back cover each month, featuring things to appreciate in nature. She also runs workshops on seasonal photography and publishes seasonal journal stories from her home in Dorset.
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