Using Crayons As Wood Stain for Small Projects (Like Earrings and Miniature Table)

Wax has historically been used as a finishing compound probably longer than most other know substances. Crayons are almost entirely made of wax. These crayolas that I used are mainly paraffin, and some other crayons are made from beeswax so I was pretty sure they would work pretty well on wood.

Crayons

Craft iron (for very small items you need one with a very small ironing surface like my clover)

Wax paper

Wood objects to stain

Cardboard (or some other way to protect your table from iron and melted wax)

(optional)Ink ( like yudo or speedball to give you clean looking edges)

This technique is best for small unfinished wood items and often works best before you actually assemble them. Basically things that are small enough to color with a crayon. But you must also think about whether you can place the iron on the spot you wish to color because the heat of the iron is what gets the stain in rather than the moisture of traditional type stains. Also, very textured items will only get "stained" in areas you can reach with the crayon and iron.

Any glues or paints on the surface will inhibit the wax from penetrating the wood and adhering.

I started with unfinished lightweight craft pieces of wood then cut and sanded the edges just like I would for any type of stain.

With some items I like to paint ink around the edges so that they will have a finished look after I apply the wax. Remember lots of things will not stick to the wood after it is stained with wax so you want to take care of such details first, but what you use also must not burn if you touch it with the iron. Many inks are heat set and so will be fine to use with the iron on low.

This is the part that makes crayons fun to use as stain because you can just apply colors exactly where you want them to create patterns or designs with the wax. If you want more traditional stained wood looks use a more traditional color like one of the brown crayons. If you intend to intend to use glue anywhere be sure not to put crayon on that spot.

Make sure your iron is on low. Now, literally iron your wood. Be mindful that when wax melts it bleeds. If you are using multiple colors and do not want them to blend focus on only heating a single area of color at a time and do not move the iron around as it will transfer color to other areas. You can apply the iron directly to the colored surface or place small pieces of wax paper between surface and iron. Be sure to use a new piece of wax paper when you move between different colors. And wipe away any wax on the iron before moving on to next color.

If your item will rub against clothing, get handled often, or be exposed to moisture, you should give it a clear coat. There is no need to cover things like earrings. A clear coat of fingernail polish is sufficiant for my miniature table. Mod podge or polyurethane might be more usful for things that might get exposed more abuse or to moisture.

You can now put your item together with glue or hardware in the case of my earrings