PEACE OF GLIT

A candle for conservation

Japan is aided in its efforts at energy conservation by a deep, shared reverence for the natural world. It is as if the Earth is part of a national heritage. So in 2003, the Japanese launched Candle Night, a charming, utterly Japanese celebration of the solstice, when citizens are encouraged to unplug their frenetic electronic lifestyles for two hours. The initiative is promoted as a way to save energy, of course, but also as a time for quiet contemplation, to connect with tradition and to enjoy the beauty of the stars.

Last June 21, according to Japan's Ministry of the Environment, 1.6 million people participated in Candle Night activities. From 8 to 10 p.m., people gathered by candlelight at cafes, parks, schools and museums. There were 437 separate events, including a concert at a shopping mall in Utsunomiya, a river cruise in Tokyo and a beeswax candle-making workshop in Miyakonojo. The iconic Tokyo tower went dark, as did a TV tower in Nagoya.

Last year the Environment Ministry joined Candle Night to promote a more extensive campaign dubbed "Black Illumination 2006." Over four days, Japan saved 800 megawatts, about three-quarters the capacity of the Seabrook power plant. And the movement is growing worldwide; tomorrow, 39,000 people in Sydney have pledged to pull the plug for "Earth Hour." There were winter or summer solstice events in Taiwan, France, Korea, and Brazil. Last year even a coffee shop in Pittsburgh joined in.

Candle Night has been embraced in part because it mitigates the grim, eat-your-peas aspect of responsible energy use. It operates with a loose, voluntary, 21st century spirit of networking; joiners can log on to the website (candle-night.org) and post their own activities, possibly using Google Maps to pinpoint the event and share messages with others.

The small personal gestures relentlessly promoted in Japan - recycling, "lights down," wearing thermal underwear - may not be as effective as fuel-efficient cars or green buildings, but they help build public consensus for the larger campaigns. Rather than gripe about lifestyle sacrifices, for a few nights at least, many people seem eager to light a candle and bless the darkness.

LOVE CANDLE

Tear the purple patterned background papers into 1 1/2" - 2" pieces (they can be smaller if you'd like more variety in the background). Use the Artsy Collage™ Gel to glue to the papers to the candle, beginning 1/2" from the bottom and working upward to 3".
Cut along the straight edge of the lace and tear along the curved edge. Tear or cut out the remaining paper art images. Use the Gel to glue the lace around the bottom of the candle. Glue on the remaining paper art. Brush two coats of sealer over all the papers.
Add the 3-D embellishments. Teresa wrapped the bottom of the candle with two fiber strands (one is an eyelash fibter), tying a knot and trimming the ends short. She cut two 6" lengths of wire and threaded beads on each. She formed a 1 1/2" loop with one and a 1 3/4" loop with the other, twisting the ends to secure. Teresa glued the two loops together over the fiber knot, then glued a piece of sea glass over the wire ends. To finish, Teresa cut out embossed paper charms and glued them around the candle.