Simple, fun, & sustainable DIY firestarter crafts from Appalachia!

If you read our article, “Decorating For Winter: Bringing The Outdoors In,” then you know life near the beautiful forests of Appalachia has abundant natural materials to use for crafts around your home. When those crafts can double as practical tools, life in Appalachia is an even greater pleasure. Today’s article will showcase two recipes for combining natural materials with other low-cost or recycled items around your home to create beautiful fire starters that can double as decoration or thoughtful gifts guaranteed to ignite the excitement of any fireside sitters you know. Regardless of which recipe you decide is right for you, here is a list of materials you will need to have on hand:

Materials:

  • Natural materials:
    • Tiny pinecones
    • Dried flowers
    • Herbs
    • Wood shavings
    • Leaves
    • Cinnamon sticks
    • Star anise
    • Dried citrus slices
  • Cardboard egg cartons
  • Dryer lint
  • Aluminum cans
  • Corrugated cardboard
  • Heavy duty scissors
  • Wax pieces (beeswax pellets, old crayons, candles)
  • Double boiler for melting down wax

NOTES: To make a safe double boiler that will save your pots, place an empty, label-less tin can in the center of a pot with one inch of water in the bottom. Place your wax pieces inside and warm on low heat until all the wax has melted. Use rubber-tipped tongs to pick up the can when you are ready to pour the wax for either recipe.

Recipe 1:
Egg-cellent Egg Carton Candles

DIY Firestarter: Egg Carton Candle | Highroads Living
This recipe is fun if you have kids who like to be creative and helpful. Send them outside to forage the natural materials listed above while you melt your wax pieces using the double boiler method described in the Notes section above.

  • While you wait for the wax to melt, tear away the lid of your cardboard egg carton and place the cup side on a baking sheet lined with tin foil or parchment paper (this will help catch any wax that may drip during pouring).
  • Once you have collected your decorative materials, it is time to fill the cups! Line the bottom and sides of the egg cups with colorful dryer lint to form a nest. After the lint is in place, choose one to three natural items to place inside the nest for decoration.
  • By now, your wax should be melted in your double boiler. Use rubber-tipped tongs to lift your tin can carefully out of the pot and pour the melted wax over the materials inside the egg carton cups. If you have a metal ladle or spoon, use it to distribute the wax.
  • Leave your filled cartons to sit and harden.
  • Pull the cartons apart into individual cups when they are cool to the touch.

To use your fire candles, place your candle amongst the logs and light the cardboard with a match. Your candle should burn for about 9 minutes.

Place your Egg Carton Candles in a decorative bowl or basket, or wrap them in a cellophane bag with a set of long matches and a lovely bow to give as a gift.

Recipe 2:
Majestic Mini Firelogs

DIY Firestarter: Majestic Mini Firelog | Highroads Living

If you love an outdoor fire, this recipe is right for you!

  • As in the previous recipe, begin by melting your wax pieces using the double boiler method.
  • Next, gather your heavy-duty scissors, an empty aluminum drinking can, and corrugated cardboard.
  • Cut away the bottom of the aluminum can so the sides are about an inch to an inch and a half high, then set it aside.
  • Using your scissors, cut your cardboard into long strips as wide as your cut aluminum can bottom is tall.
  • Roll the strips in on themselves to form a flat disc that looks like a snail’s shell and place it inside the aluminum can base until the can is full. You should have to force the cardboard form in; it should fit snuggly but not too tightly.
  • Create a “wick” for your mini fire log by folding a 2-inch long portion of one of your leftover cardboard strips in half and cutting it halfway down the center above the creased side. Fan out the pieces and stick them in the center of your cardboard spiral.
  • Decorate the top of your cardboard spiral by sprinkling pieces of dried flowers, herbs, or spices, then pour your melted wax over the cardboard until the container is full. Set aside to let harden and cool.

To use your mini fire log, place it at the base of your fire pit and light the wick. Place your mini fire log on a nonflammable surface for a table-top mini firepit by surrounding it with a few river stones. This firestarter is surprisingly wind-resistant and can burn for over an hour.

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