17. Aged Wax-Dripped Skull Centerpieces
Create a dramatic, gothic centerpiece using simple plastic or plaster skulls and a variety of colorful candles. Start by painting your skull a matte, bone-white or stone-grey color, using dark washes of paint in the eye sockets and crevices to add depth. Secure the skull onto a sturdy plate or tray. Light a series of colored taper candles—deep red, plum, and black work best—and carefully tilt them over the skull, letting the hot wax drip down the sides of the cranium, into the eyes, and over the jawline. Build up the wax in layers to create a heavy, dramatic cascade of colorful drips that looks as though it has been sitting in a forgotten chamber for decades.