Ghostly Rehab

Following up yesterday's Witch candle, we're going to take a look at another classic Gurley candle.  This one is a popular design of a shrouded ghost holding a Jack O' Lantern.  I thought I'd talk a little about candle maintenance as well.

I found this candle at a garage sale over the summer.  Candles have a tendency to collect dust and dirt and this one was no exception.

The first step in rejuvenating  an old haunt like this is simple liquid dish soap and water.  Use cold water to avoid warming up the candle.  If there's any stubborn dirt embedded in the candle, you can use a toothpick for large loose specks or lightly scrape with your fingernail for the more stubborn dirt. Removing a thin layer of wax to eliminate the dirt won't hurt the look as long as you don't gouge too deeply.  My ghost was missing part of its eye as well as the Jack O' Lantern's eye, nose and mouth.  I used a Sharpie marker to fill in the missing spots. I had to use a dabbing application to get the ink to stick.  Using black paint and a fine paint brush would probably be more effective, but I made due with what was close at hand.  Someone had burned the candle at one point, so I couldn't do much for that, but fortunately they didn't burn it down too low.  It just makes it look like the Jack O' Lantern's top is off.  I think it came out pretty good.

For comparison, here's a nearly pristine example of what this guy looked like new.

For storing your decorative (or any kind of) candles, it's best to wrap them in tissue paper and store in a cold, dark spot.  I keep mine in a cabinet in my basement. You want to avoid the attic or garage.  I can't tell you how many bent candles I've found at garage and estate sales or multiple candles that have morphed into one or leaked wax onto other decorations ruining those as well.

As I mentioned, this ghost was a popular design and he appeared not only in candles, but in blow molds like this one:

And porcelain lamps like this: