Craft:Fire-starter Pine Cones

pine cones (dry)

wax (enough to dip a pine cone in)

old crayons or candle dye

essential oil—peppermint

cotton string

double boiler

waxed paper

tongs

scissors

wooden paint stirrer

Melt the wax in the double boiler. If you want to add color, you can add a few crayons of the desired color or use a candle dye. Add a few drops of essential oil, too. Use a wooden paint stirrer to mix in the color and scent. Twine your string around the pine cone in a spiral from bottom to top, leaving ½ inch to act as a wick at the top. Using tongs, dip the pine cone, topside down, into the wax and coat thoroughly. Carefully lift the pine cone out, and let it drip the excess wax back into the boiler. Carefully place the pine cone, bottom side down, on the wax paper to cool.