Fill your large saucepan about three-quarters full with water and place it on your heat source. If you're using a stove, turn it on to medium-high heat.
Remove the wicks from your tea lights and any metal that may surround them.
Place the tea lights in your small saucepan. Place the small saucepan inside the larger saucepan so that it is floating on the water.
Cut your cardboard into a strip that is about 6 inches long and 2 inches wide.
Roll the cardboard strip into a tight cylinder and tie it together with your string.
Wait for the wax to be completely melted and then submerge the rolled-up cardboard strip in the melted wax. Use the tongs to place the cardboard in the wax.
Allow the cardboard to soak for a few seconds and then remove it with the tongs. Shake the cardboard so that the wax gets into the spaces between the rolls of the cardboard.
Remove the saucepans from the heat source but hold the fire stick over the saucepans until it dries. This should take about five minutes.
