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Ice Candles

skill level: easy
cost: under $5
craft time: 4-5 hours

For small candles:
medium-sized balloons
empty plastic margarine tub
votive candle
food coloring, optional

Fill the balloon with water until it is about the size of a softball.
Add a drop of food coloring, if desired.
Blow once into the balloon and then tie a knot in it.
Place the balloon in the margarine tub and set outside in freezing temperature. If it is not cold enough to freeze outside, place it in your freezer.
After 4-5 hours, a fairly thick shell of ice should form inside the balloon.
Check by shaking the balloon gently; if the outside is hard and water can be heard sloshing inside, it is time to pop the balloon.
Discard balloon.
Poor excess water out to form a cavity in the middle. (This is where the candle will be placed.)
Freeze candle holder for 2 hours, until it is hard.
Place votive candle in center of ice candle and light them up.