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Beeswax candles were highly valued in 14th century, mostly used in churches for their purity and cleanliness. These beautiful candles are very popular today because of being smoke-free, long-burning, emitting a pleasant honey odor and not dripping all over the place!
Beeswax candle making can be an entertaining project for the whole family. Are they easy to make? Exactly, how are they made and from what? Before we get into the how - let's talk about where beeswax candles come from.
Beeswax comes from bees and honey. What is the first thing that comes into your mind when you hear the word beeswax: the buzz of honey bees going from flower to flower? Did you think of a honeycomb dripping with honey?
The process of beeswax candle making is actually quite interesting. When bees go from flower to flower, they are collecting nectar. They have to visit (individually) up to 2 million flowers to make one pound of honey. The floral essence (nectar) is concentrated into honey. The honey bees digest the honey and it goes through their wax glands on the sides of the honey bee, making wax scales. Think about this - it takes about 800,000 scales for each pound of beeswax. Now you know where the saying comes from - busy as a bee!
In the fall, the beekeepers strain the beeswax from honeycombs or harvest the honey. During the process to take the honey, the beekeeper cuts the end off of the cells; melts it down and then cleans out the debris. All this material is formed into bulk beeswax, ready to process into sheets or by bulk to make candles. (Beeswax is also used in waxing wooden windows and drawers, quilting, in your cosmetics, furniture polish, leather boot conditioner and much, much more.
Okay. Let's get back to making beeswax candles. There are three different kinds; rolled, melted (to pour) or the dipped beeswax candles. We are focusing on rolled beeswax candles - since they so fun and easy to make.
Rolled: The rolled up or the pillar beeswax candle is simple to make. This is a great project to do with children. Beeswax comes in sheets - many different colors and scents. I prefer the natural color and scent. Carefully handle each sheet.
Place your pre-primed wick at the edge of the beeswax sheet. Cut your wick about 3/4 inches longer than the height of your candle. On a rectangular sheet, you would use the shorter side to place your wick.
Note: Pre-primed wicks just mean that you place your cotton wicks in melted beeswax until they stop bubbling. This process makes the best wicks and it is easy to do. Lay the wicks on wax paper to cool; lay them out so they cool straight. Once the wicks are cooled, press the wick gently into the sheet.
Begin to tightly roll the beeswax (at the wick end) until you reach the end of your sheet. Gently press the edges down to make a smooth as possible seam. Beeswax candle making is just that easy!
Be sure to try it around the Holidays - making those special gifts for the ones you love. Whether you decide to take the time to create hand-dipped tapers like our forefathers did or roll your beeswax into chunky candles, you'll be amazed at how simple beeswax candle making can be!
About this Author
Kim Montgomery is a candle lover and shares that love with many around her. If you love candles and would want to know more secrets and expert tips about beeswax candle making, and everything you need to know about making your own perfect candles, Click here.
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