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How to Make the Burnt Parchment Look With a Candle

Using a candle to burn paper is a fun and creative way to make new paper look like parchment. This technique is often used in coordination with staining the paper by rubbing a tea bag across it or darkening the paper with juice from a lemon. The combined result gives you not only a piece of paper that has a parchment look, but makes the paper look aged as well.

Things You'll Need

  • Paintbrush
  • Water
  • Candle
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Instructions

    • 1

      Light a candle. Place it in the kitchen sink.

    • 2

      Set the paper you wish to burn on the kitchen counter. Wet a small paintbrush. Paint a border about 1 inch inside the outer edge of the paper. The water will help stop the paper from burning if it actually catches fire.

    • 3

      Pass the paper back and forth through the flame. Do not allow the paper to actually catch fire.

    • 4

      Remove the paper from the flame. The edges of the paper will appear red and begin curling as they blacken. Allow the paper to burn to the desired look.

    • 5

      Drop the paper into the sink. Snuff out any remaining glow with your fingers. Leave the paper in the sink until you are certain there is no possibility of re-igniting.

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