Tag Sticky Bumps

Surfer Gifts: Holiday Surf Wax

craftysurf 6 Comments

I go through a lot of surf wax. I’ll totally admit that I’m not nimble enough to get away with a quick scrape of wax on my board before paddling out.

I took my heavy noserider out the other day and realized it was time to stop by Core Surf for some fresh wax. I picked up several bars of Warm Water blend Sticky Bumps, since our water temp has dropped into the mid-70’s. After reading Make Something Mondays’ post about Fall Scented Candles, I was inspired to make “Holiday” Scented Wax. I used Sticky Bumps since I’ve found it holds the added scent better than other brands of surf waxes in my opinion.

I thought this would make an excellent DIY surfer gift for the season, without spending a fortune.

If you look in any baking section of a craft or big box store, you’ll find a lot of silicone molds available these days. They’ve become quite affordable, and they are super handy if you like to customize your own surf wax. I really liked the shape of this mold, since it’s a handy shape to use when applying surf wax.

Use silicone molds to make it easier

First, I broke the original wax into pieces to fit into the molds. Three original Sticky Bumps bars were used to make six bars of scented wax. I popped the whole thing into the oven at around 175 degrees F for over twenty minutes. I didn’t want to boil the wax, just melt it gently. Don’t use the microwave, unless you like a gnarly mess, Bro-tato Chip.

The wax will melt into each mold shape


Once the wax was completely melted in each mold, I used some Lor-Ann baking oils in Apple and Orange, and also some real Vanilla extract. Only a few drops are necessary, but add as much as desired for optimal smelliness. 
Use a toothpick to stir in the oils evenly and minimize bubbles. The oil will settle to the top a bit, but that’s okay, it will be distributed as it’s applied on the surfboard.

Some oil has a little color, but it won’t be noticeable on the surfboard


Allow the wax to cool in the mold and harden fully before trying to remove it. Don’t put it in the freezer- that can create voids in the wax.

Stack o’ Wax: Apple, Orange, and Vanilla


Done! I got a little wooden crate at the craft store for a buck, and it really classes things up as a Christmas gift. I also used a cardboard punch to make tags out of the wax box, and strung it on with some hemp.

Surfer gift done.

A holiday gift that’s surfing related AND smells like food???

That’s righteous

Surf Wax Wrapper Beads DIY

craftysurf 3 Comments

My friends gave me a beautiful Ugandan charity bracelet for Christmas. I’m really not big on gifts and holiday trappings but they know I’m always a sucker for handmade things, charitable causes and groups, so it was really thoughtful.

I love my bracelet!


Another super cool thing about this bracelet is that it had lacquered beads made from bits of hand rolled newspaper and magazine paper. I’ve seen these type of beads before, and I’ve even made them in the past, so I can appreciate the time that goes into making them!

This bracelet inspired me to try this craft again, only this time with Sticky Bumps wax wrappers I’ve been hoarding in the garage. I knew these had been waiting for another good craft project to come along.

The Sticky Bumps wax wrappers are eye catching, the paper is thick, but not too thick to handle and fold, so they made good candidates.


I folded the wrappers longways like an accordion, making sure each strip was equal in width.

Origami practice


I could have cut out the long trapezoids through all four layers, but I was afraid they might come out a touch wonky, so I cut each one separately. You can use a template if you want. I just folded each long strip in half, cut an angle from the bottom base to the top, leaving a narrower base than the bottom. Trapezoid. Boom.

Long trapezoid.

Making thinner beads


Then, I rolled each strip onto a very thin stainless steel rod, putting a little white craft glue on the inside of the strip as I rolled it on the rod.

Dab some glue on the inside of the strip- I found if you put too much, it can peel the paper!


After allowing the glue to dry, I painted all the beads with a thick sealer in gloss and allowed them to dry again for 24 hours.

I gave them a little sanding with a nail buffer, cleaned up any stray paper on the ends with some scissors, and sealed them one more time.

An old nail buffer is perfect for this

A toothpick helps me hold it while I sand lightly


Once they were dry again, they were ready to use in bracelets. I decided to add a little charm saying “Surfer Girl” that I bought from a local surf clothing shop, Island Surf and Skate, because I’m also I sucker for locally made stuff too. Mermaid Moon (also local!) made the cute stamped charm. Free Plug for them courtesy of Captain Kook. Lucky them. Yikes.

Just a foot of .5 mm elastic, a few 6 mm seed beads, a charm, and a pair of scissors.


I strung on a 6 mm seed bead alternating with a surf wax wrapper bead, stringing the charm through on the way. I tied the ends together with a surgeon’s knot.

Done!


I need to make even more of these beads and clear out my stash of wrappers. As if I needed to hoard anymore leftover surf crap. I need to set a hoarder time limit on my stashes to get my lazy butt in gear.

“That 4 pound ball of old scraped surf wax in the corner has TWO WEEKS to become recycled bars of wax OR candles or it’s out to the curb with it! And this time- I MEAN IT!”