Easy Beeswax Dipped Leaves

After letting many autumns sneak by without us having a chance to preserve our colorful leaves in beeswax…we finally were able to make it happen!  It is such an easy activity once you have the few basic materials required.  The girls both commented that it was a very relaxing activity and once I joined in, I knew exactly what they meant. 

MATERIALS

Dried and pressed leaves (autumnal colors are beautiful but not necessary)

Beeswax (we chose local but if that’s not an option, try here) 

Twine

Clothespins

Small sauce pan or double boiler 

Tin Foil 

Brown Craft Paper 

Apron

Cover your work area with craft paper and consider wearing an apron. 

Using a knife, shave off a few cups of  wax , if using pellets this step is not necessary.

The amount of wax needed will depend on how many leaves you will be dipping. 

If you have leftover wax, it can be cooled and reused so always err on the side of having too much.

We used our tin foil to make a little bowl that fits over our small sauce pan.

This not only serves as a double boiler, but allows for easy clean up as well.

The “bowl” should be shallow enough to allow the pot below to be filled halfway with water without touching the foil. 

We made a small vent in our “bowl” by bending up one edge of the lip to allow steam to escape. 

Steam is very hot and all should be warned to stay clear of this vent.

Fill your pot halfway with water and bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. 

Place the tin foil bowl of wax over the pot and stir wax occasionally as it melts.

Once wax is completely melted and is very fluid, remove from heat.

Place pot on a trivet and caution young children of the danger of the hot pot, steam and melted wax. 

Hold on to the stem of your dried and pressed leaves and dip them completely in the melted beeswax.  Tweezers can be used to hold the leaves if desired. 

Lift the leaf out of the wax and hold for a few seconds to allow any drips to fall.  

Hang leaves on twine with clothespins or lay on your craft paper to dry.  They dry very quickly so this is just as an extra measure. 

The smell of the autumn leaves and melted beeswax is very soothing!

We loved seeing our once dry and crispy leaves be transformed into beautiful pliable shiny leaves.

Our colors have stayed true for weeks now and we are so pleased with the way they preserved. 

We have hung some as a garland in our front window. 

We also made a small mobile with a few others using driftwood and twine. 

Other uses included:

As an addition to a loose parts tray, sensory bins, small world play,

leaf rubbing art, playdough stamping, card making,

bookmarks or suncatchers…the possibilities are endless! 

Have you tried preserving leaves with beeswax before? 

Sue 

 

“We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program,

an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to

earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.”