Early Wax Ornaments

The custom of wax ornaments hanging on the Christmas tree was brought to America by the early German settlers. Housewives poured melted beeswax into wooden cookie boards. The cookie boards, dating back hundreds of years, were carved from fruitwood into elaborate scenes of St. Nicholas, animals, birds, guild workers and country life. Sometimes the wax castings were painted in bright colors to resemble decorated cookies. In the 1930's to 1950's an American company manufactured a line of ornaments from paraffin that included full-bodied, hollow cast, white wax Santas, angels, snowmen and boots which were painted.

Spray mold with cooking spray and wipe gently with a soft nonabrasive cloth. Place your mold over a container, such as, a glass or small bowl to keep your mold level. Melt wax and carefully pour wax into mold. Cut a 6" piece of gold cord and dip both ends of the cord in the hot wax to about ½" and hold together until the wax hardens. When wax in mold begins to form a skin on top, insert the hardened tips of the cord under the skin being careful not to scrape the bottom of the mold so the cord won't show through. Allow wax to thoroughly cool at room temperature or place mold in freezer for about 5 minutes. Release casting by tugging gently at hanger.