Candle making Art Activity with Disability group

 Candle making Art Activity with Disability group

Groupwork assignment 

Before we decided our group activity, the team discussed different activities we could do.

Then we looked at candle-making and thought that this would be very interesting for the group and that it would challenge them.  We would facilitate the group to make a candle each in class and decorate a glass jar with paint, beads and stickers of their choice to bring the candle home.  We would add fragrance and colour to the candles.  We would also have other games going on at the same time so the group wouldn’t get bored and would be kept active.

 

Aims of Candle-making

• To use fine motor skills
• To appeal to senses. (smell of scented candles, touch of materials)
• To practice communication and listening skills. (interpersonal skills)
• To encourage inclusion through social interaction.
• Learn to follow instructions.
• To improve awareness of health and safety.
• To improve self-awareness of likes/dislikes.
• To express individual creativity.
• To have fun.
  

Objectives of Candle-making

• To understand the process of making candles/ learn a new skill.
• To make something that can be brought home.
• Time management

 

For the Candle-making activity

Ingredients/Utensils:

Plastic containers with lids for candle moulds

Blue Tac

Candle wick

Wax melting pot

Essential oils (scented)

Wax beads and coloured candles

Screws/screwdriver

Tweezers

Large cocktail sticks to stir wax

Spoon

Plastic plates

Ice Cubes

Large Basin

Hairdryer: to remove the candles at the end from the mould.

Glitter, glue, diamonds, stickers

Method:

Drill hole in plastic mould container, using screw from the bottom upwards using a screw to make the hole bigger, to enable the wick to pull through easily.  Pierce lid of container in line with hole.  Thread the wick from bottom of container upwards.  Secure bottom of container with blue tac, leaving about 2cm of wick.  Heat wax, add essential oils, and stir well.  Fill container with hot wax.  Tap side of container to release air bubbles.  Leave to stand for 2 mins., before pulling the wick through the lid. Cover hole in the lid with blue tac, leave 5cm of wick, so as to open the lid and check wax when solidifying.  Place containers in basin with ice cubes to set for at least 1hour, 10mins.  Remove from ice and let stand for 5mins.  Then, pop candle out of container, turn upside down to smooth side, candle is now ready.  Decorate candle with sticker, diamonds, glitter and glue.  Stand candle in glass jar which is also decorated.

Health and safety for candlemaking :)

 1)   To be safe it is important to listen carefully to us and to follow instructions. 

2)   Could everyone please put all their bags and coats down the back so nobody will trip over them?

3)   Beware of the fire exit 

4)   Beware of safety when decorating the jars and if you break a jar make sure to tell us and we will get you another one

5)   When getting up for your candle, please only two at a time and beware that the wax is very hot; Karen and Phyllis will give you guidance

6)   The first aid kit is over here and if anyone needs assistance Abbie will take care of you

7)    If anyone needs to go to the toliet, please inform us and one of us will guide you

8)    We hope everyone has fun and enjoy themselves

Evaluation on Candle-making

1)    Did you enjoy the activity? And why?

All of the participants replied yes, they did enjoy the activity.   They loved painting the jars, making the candles, playing the games and loved being surrounded by their friends

2)    What was your favourite part?

Many found decorating the jars were their favourite part however one participant thought the music was the best part of the activity.

3)    Would you like to do it again? And why ?

. Each member said they would like to do the activity again because it was very relaxing and they all had fun. Most said they liked everything about the activity and wouldn’t change anything. 

4)    What didn’t you like about the activity?

Two of the participants found the game head, shoulders, knees and toes to be quite silly and painting the jars to be fairly messy.

5)    Which activity did you prefer?

The candle-making was good and decorating the jars.

Overall the activities went very well with no mishaps and proved to be a success. 

All the participants said that the really enjoyed the activities. They loved the candle making process and seeing how the candles were made i.e. by melting the wax in the oil burner.  The ice-breaker was a “get to know you” activity to break the ice and make everyone feel part of the experience.  It involved calling out their names and saying what they liked.  This helps us facilitators get to know them as individuals and give us direction on the possible ways to work together with the service users and to help them with ideas to decorate the jars for their candles.  They also liked watching the wax being poured into the plastic containers.  They helped with the process by securing the wick with blutac at the base of the container, and then pulling it through and holding it in place until the lid was secured.  The candle was then placed on ice to speed up the setting process.  In the meantime the group decorated their jars with glitter, paint and other chosen materials to personalise their jars. Then, while waiting for the candles  to set we played a game called heads and shoulders, knees and toes to practice hand eye co-ordination, to help integrate the team and group to interact and bring some fun to the process.  

When the candles were set we called them up 2 by 2 to remove candles from plastic containers.  This was their finished product.  They seemed to love this aspect of the activity and took great pride putting the candles into their own personalised decorated jars to take home with them. I then also gave them a souvenir candle to remember their day and thank them for taking part in the activity.

The overall view of the activities was a positive view, and proved to be successful, resulting with everyone contributing to the activity with a sense of fun and learning.  Finally we presented them with Achievement Certificates to give them a sense of achievement and ownership of their experience. We took a group photo and thanked them for participating in the activity.  As a group we feel everyone contributed well to the activity and we worked as a team on the day.