Two posts for the price of one!

Today I'm going to tell you about 1) the beaded lamp mat I made when I was young, and 2) the candles that sit on it. 

The instructions for this lamp mat came from a Little House crafts book we have. Basically, you take a braided cord, wrap it in a spiral (sewing as you go), and attach beaded fringe to the edge. Being the DIY Little House lover that I am, though, I decided to make my own braided cord using this cute tool. Being the young munchkin that I was, of course, I disregarded the color of yarn I was using. That's why the lamp mat is so... interestingly... colored. 

 You just wrap loops of yarn around the posts at the top and pull bottom loops over top loops. It's hard to describe in words, but once you see how to use the tool, it's easy to do. The cord comes out the bottom once it gets long enough. 

 Now to the second part: Here is a pair of small candles that we made long ago. The process is simple in theory, but kind of involved and/or dangerous to do at home. You have to heat wax on the stove in a double boiler until it is liquid, then dip the two ends of a wick in the wax until a cylindrical candle is built up, letting the layers cool in between dips. Finally, you let the candles cool all the way, trim the bottoms of the two candles to make them flat, and cut the candles apart from one another, making the wicks the proper length. 

I don't remember whether we made these candles at home or at Sutter's Fort. They've been sitting in our cupboard for years as reminders of a pioneer craft long ago. 

I also don't know where the candle holder below came from. It reminds me of a candle holder that Laura or Mary might have held as they went up the stairs to bed. 

 Ta-da! The finished product, complete with lamp mat, candle holder, and hand-dipped candle. 

Check back often for more Little House-inspired crafts, games, stories, recipes, and fun. Thanks for reading!

Elizabeth