Strictly speaking, inlaying is not a true finishing technique. As we said earlier, inlays are an advanced form of embedding — the difference being that the attaching is done from the inside of the candle, rather than from the outside. The final effect, however, is of a surface technique; therefore, we include this method here.

Basically, to make an inlay you stick either chunks or pieces of candle wax, or some non-wax object, such as slices of dried fruit, to the inside of the candle mold before filling it up with wax. This is a variation of the pour-in/pour-out method, except that in between pourings you embed things in the outer layer of wax you made with the first pour. (See “The Pour-In/Pour-Out Method for Molds,” p. 211.)

When the candle is removed from the mold, what you have stuck in the wax inside the mold is revealed as “inlays,” or contrasting visual objects inside the candle itself. This is a fascinating technique to work with and can produce many interesting and artistic results. There is practically no limit to what you can use for inlays — as long as what you use is not flammable. You can, as just noted, use chunks of other candles (more about this in a moment), slices of dried fruit (details will follow as well), or such things as nuts, nutshells, seashells, whole spices, beads, and baubles.

David Constable, in his book Candlemaking, offers a design he calls a “bull's eye.” It is quite attractive and easily done. According to Constable, “The bull's-eye candle is an attractive design, with a slightly spooky effect when lit that children seem to love.”

To make Constable's bull's-eye candle, you need the usual equipment for candlemaking, plus an electric iron or mineral spirits. In addition, you will need three dipping cans for three different colors.

First, take a colored dipped taper candle. Overdip three additional colors onto the candle. (See the sections on overdipping in Chapter 8.) The final diameter of the taper should be l½″. The best length is about 6″ or a bit more.

After the overdipped candle has cooled completely, slice it into l″ pieces horizontally, like you'd slice an orange or lemon. Next, using wax glue, stick one slice to each of two opposite faces of a square mold (4″–6″ square). Wick mold per instructions in Chapter 7.

Pour the melted wax into the mold following basic instructions for making molded candles. Wait forty minutes before poking holes in the surface and adding additional wax. Allow the wax in the mold to cool completely, then remove from the mold. Smooth the sides of the candle against a warm electric iron, or polish with mineral spirits. Buff with a wet tissue.

This is truly an extraordinary candle, and David Constable is to be congratulated on its unique design. Do try making one — you'll love it and so will the kids!

Using the same idea, you can make all sorts of variations on this theme. For example, you can get a stained-glass effect by using square slices of candle set in a square mold. Or, you could use diamond shapes, or triangles, or any other shape instead of the round “bull's eye.” Here we go again — experiment … use your imagination … have fun!