Creating crayon hearts is a fun and straightforward craft that you can enjoy with children or on your own. These colorful and unique hearts are perfect for Valentine’s Day decorations, gifts, or simply as a creative project.
With a few basic materials and a bit of time, you can turn old, broken crayons into vibrant, heart-shaped pieces of art.
This guide on how to make crayon hearts will walk you through the process step by step, ensuring you achieve beautiful results every time.
What is Needed
Old, Broken Crayons:
To make crayon hearts, you will need to gather old, broken crayons. This is a great way to recycle and repurpose old art supplies that may otherwise be thrown away. You can also purchase inexpensive packs of new crayons if you do not have any used ones on hand.
Heart-shaped Mold:
A silicone heart-shaped mold is essential for creating perfect hearts. You can find these molds at most craft stores or online. They come in various sizes, so choose one that best fits your needs.
Oven:
You will need an oven for this project to melt the crayons and create the heart shapes. Make sure to always have adult supervision when using the oven.
Baking Paper:
To prevent any mess and make it easier to remove the crayon hearts from the mold, you will need baking paper or parchment paper.
Optional Materials:
- Glitter
- Sparkles
- Essential Oils (for Scent)
- Ribbon or String (for Hanging)
9 Simple Methods on How to Make Crayon Hearts
Method 1: Sorting and Peeling
- Sort through your crayons and set aside any broken or used ones. Remove the paper wrappers from the crayons to make them ready for melting.
Method 2: Breaking and Layering
- Break the crayons into small pieces and arrange them in layers inside the heart-shaped mold. You can mix different colors to create a marbled effect or stick with one color for a solid heart.
Method 3: Melting in the Oven
- Preheat your oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit (120 degrees Celsius).
- Place the filled mold on top of baking paper on a tray and place it in the oven for approximately 10-15 minutes.
- Keep an eye on the crayons as they melt, and remove them from the oven once they are completely melted and smooth.
- Use oven mitts to carefully remove the tray from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes.
Method 4: Adding Extra Touches
- While the melted crayons are still warm, you can add different elements to them for additional texture and decoration. You can sprinkle glitter or sparkles on top, add drops of essential oils for a pleasant scent, or even press in small trinkets like beads or buttons.
- If you would like to hang your crayon hearts, now is the time to insert a ribbon or string into the back of each heart before they fully harden.
- Let the crayon hearts cool and harden completely before moving on to the next step.
Method 5: Removing from Mold
- Once the crayons have hardened, gently pop them out of the mold. If they are still slightly warm, you can place them in the refrigerator for a few minutes to help with removal.
- Peel off any excess baking paper or parchment paper from the back of each heart.
- Your beautiful and unique crayon hearts are now ready to be displayed or given as gifts.
Method 6: Creating a Melted Crayon Canvas
- Instead of using a heart-shaped mold, you can create a melted crayon canvas by placing broken crayons in rows on top of a blank canvas.
- Use a hairdryer on high heat to melt the crayons, directing the heat towards the crayons until they start to drip down the canvas.
- Let the canvas dry completely before hanging and displaying your colorful creation.
Method 7: Using a Heat Gun
- Another way to melt crayons is by using a heat gun instead of an oven or hairdryer. Simply point the gun at the crayon pieces and move them back and forth until they are melted.
- Be careful not to get too close to avoid splattering hot wax.
- This method allows for more control and precision when creating designs or patterns with the melted crayons.
Method 8: Making Layered Hearts
- To create layered hearts, start by filling the mold halfway with one color of melted crayon.
- Let it cool and harden before adding a second layer on top with a different color.
- Continue this process until you have reached your desired number of layers.
- Once all layers have hardened, remove them from the mold and display or use them as desired.
Method 9: Using Melted Crayon Pieces
- If you don’t have a heart-shaped mold, you can still make unique crayon hearts by melting small pieces of crayon onto a sheet of baking paper in the shape of a heart.
- Once the wax has cooled and hardened, carefully peel it off the paper and use it as desired.
- You can also add additional layers or decorations to this method, such as glitter or essential oils.
Following these simple methods and techniques on how to make crayon hearts, you can easily create beautiful and colorful crayon hearts that can be used for various purposes. Get creative with different colors, designs, and textures to make each piece unique. Have fun and enjoy this craft project with your loved ones!
Do You Need to Take Support?
Creating crayon hearts can be a fun and rewarding experience, but if you find yourself needing some extra help, don’t hesitate to seek support. This might include assistance from a friend or family member, especially when handling hot materials or using potentially dangerous equipment, like the oven or heat gun.
Additionally, there are countless online communities and resources where you can ask questions, share your progress, and receive advice.
Whether you’re a beginner needing step-by-step guidance or an experienced crafter looking for fresh ideas, taking support can enhance your creative process and ensure safety. Remember, crafting is meant to be enjoyable, so it’s always a good idea to work together and share the joy!
Additional Ideas
- Try using different shapes of molds such as stars, circles or animals to create a variety of wax creations.
- Use scented crayons or add essential oils to give your heart a pleasant aroma.
- Make personalized gifts by spelling out names or words in melted crayons on a canvas or paper.
- Use the melted crayon technique to make decorative candles by placing wicks in the center of each mold and filling with melted crayons.
- Experiment with different melting temperatures and times to achieve different effects, such as creating swirls or patterns within the hearts.
- Create a melted crayon art piece by melting crayons in different colors on top of a canvas or paper and using a palette knife to blend and spread the wax. Let it cool and harden for a unique abstract design.
- Use heart-shaped molds with clear resin to create transparent hearts filled with colorful melted crayon pieces.
- Add a layer of white or metallic paint over your final creation for an extra pop of color and shine.
There are endless possibilities when it comes to creating with melted crayons, so don’t be afraid to get creative and think outside the box! Happy crafting!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I Use Any Type of Crayons for This Project?
A: Yes, you can use any type or brand of crayons. Just make sure to remove the paper wrappers beforehand. It is also a great way to use up broken or old crayons. It’s a great eco-friendly activity!
Q: How Long Does it Take for the Crayons to Harden?
A: It usually takes about 10-15 minutes in the oven or 30 minutes at room temperature for the crayons to harden. However, this may vary depending on the thickness and size of your mold or canvas. To be safe, let them cool and harden completely before removing from the mold.
Q: Can I Use a Microwave Instead of an Oven?
A: No, it is not recommended to use a microwave as it can cause uneven melting and potential fire hazards. Stick with using an oven, hairdryer, or heat gun for best results.
Q: Can I Reuse the Mold After Making Crayon Hearts?
A: Yes, you can reuse the silicone mold to make more crayons in the future. Just make sure to clean it thoroughly before using it again.
Conclusion
Crayon hearts are an easy and fun craft that anyone can enjoy. With just a few simple materials and methods on how to make crayon hearts, you can create beautiful, one-of-a-kind pieces of art. Get creative with colors, textures, and designs to make unique crayon hearts that will brighten up any space.
Whether it’s for decoration, a gift, or just a fun activity, making crayon hearts is a great way to express your creativity and create something truly special. So go ahead and try these methods – you might just discover your new favorite craft! Happy creating!
