Strip ‘em down. Whether for aesthetics, a clean surf slate or in preparation for the craft fair, the liberating sensation of sliding a comb under soft, grimy wax is ever so satisfying. Revel in the deed, but contain yourself — this is only step one.

Prepare your mold. Scavenge several used tin cans and a plastic or cardboard container from your recycle bin — an old hummus tub, Pringles jar, juice carton, any receptacle that you can cut into to remove your candle. Rummage through your neighbors trash if you’re not satisfied with your own (they shouldn’t mind). Wash and thank your vessel, for it will give you light.

Melt your wax. Place your dirty wax balls into the tin cans and set them in a pot of boiling water. Don’t let them tip over! Put a heavy lid over them so they don’t fall and fill with water. Be prepared for wafts of hair, tar, toe jam and any other contaminants that likely adhered to the deck of your board.

Choose your colors and fragrance. Not required if you want a candle that looks and smells like rank, old surf wax — but if you wish to ogle at the transformation, consider both. You can buy candle dye and fragrance at craft stores (get some thick wick while you’re there), or you can use crayons for color and essential oils for fragrance. Once the wax is completely melted, stir in the desired coloring and scent. And as tempting as it is, remember that too many crayons will weigh down your wax and not burn very well.

Pour on. Use a stick and fish out any flammable foreign objects that made their way into the mix (namely hair). Sure, it’s kinda nasty, but it’s worse to burn it. Get a pencil and wrap a piece of wick around it (if your wick is too thin, braid two or three). Allow it to dangle to the bottom and center of your mold. Use a hot pad to pour your first layer.

Pass the time. If you’re impatient — or simplistic and content with one color — then great, you’re virtually done. But if you want to style out your candle like I do, make it Technicolor. Entertain yourself while the first layer of wax hardens. Pop a bottle of wine, contemplate Crayola nomenclature, draw on your clean surfboard, Skype your friends and tell them how cool and resourceful you are, etc, etc. After the first layer dries, mix your next and pour it on top. Let them each harden and repeat as many times as desired.

Reveal your masterpiece. Let your treasure cool and harden completely. Cut open in the container (without harming your prize), sound your horn, take a deep breath and carefully rip the mold to uncover your treasure. Voila! You’ve just made something useful out of what was essentially trash. Ooh at the color scheme, awe at the texture. Cut its umbilical chord (excess wick) and cradle it like the precious newborn it is.

Light ‘em up! Toss a confetti quinoa salad, bake a vegan Tempeh ziti, bust out the fine china and Evite your Bohemian friends. Propose a toast to ingenuity, cut the lights, and ignite the candelabra. Transfix in the glow. Get into it! Dust off the Ouija Board, steep some twig tea and conduct a séance.

By Kyla Langen