The Butcher, the Baker, the Candlestick Maker!
Beeswax candles are simple to make. The kids will love the project.
By Kathy Oberman
Making beeswax candles is fun and easy. The craft keeps kids
entertained for hours and when they are done, you will have pretty
holiday candles for the table, which smell lovely as they burn.
Unlike making hot wax-dipped candles, making beeswax candles is not
messy or potentially dangerous.
Buying Beeswax
All-natural beeswax is sold pressed into wax sheets with smooth or
textured honeycomb finishes. The sheets measure eight and a half by
eleven, the size of a sheet of paper. Look for sheets of beeswax at
craft stores, shops specializing in candles, or buy it on through mail
order or on the Web.
In its natural state, the wax is a beautiful, light honey color but
modern technology has allowed manufacturers to tint it all shades of
the rainbow.
What You Need for the Candles
When buying wax, figure on two to four sheets for one large candle and
one sheet for a small candle.
When you buy the wax, be sure to buy candlewick at the same time. Buy
several yards – you will be amazed at how fast it goes. This, too, is
sold at craft stores.
How to Make Beeswax Candles
Begin with a clean surface area and several cardboard sheets to work
on (cut these from an old shoebox or a similar box). You will also
need scissors, a box cutter, and tissue paper or wax paper for
wrapping the finished candles.
Cut a length of candlewick a little longer than one edge of the
beeswax sheet. Lay the wick along the edge of the wax sheet and firmly
press it into the wax so it adheres. Use your thumbs to gently work
your way along the wick, pressing it into the sheet and turning it up
and over it.
When the wick is covered by the wax, roll the wax sheet tightly using
all your fingers and the palm of your hand. For a thicker candle,
press another sheet of wax along the edge of the first one when you
come to the end. If you began with textured beeswax, continue with it.
If you began with smooth beeswax, continue with it.
Be Creative
Be creative. Make small and tall candles, and others with whimsical
shapes.
Cut the sheets of beeswax in half lengthwise to make stubby candles.
To do this, lay the beeswax sheets on the cardboard and cut them with
the box cutter. Press gently; the wax cuts easily and if you press too
hard you might cut through the cardboard.
If working with young children, monitor the cutting. Don’t let them
use the box cutter!
To make tall candles, lay the candlewick along the eleven-inch side of
the wax sheet and roll tightly. Add as many sheets of wax as you like
until you reach the desired thickness for the stately, tall candles.
For whimsical candles, cut the wax sheets diagonally to form an
elongated triangle. Lay the wick along the shorter edge and roll along
the length of the base. This will result in a beehive shaped candle.
If you lay the wick on one of the longer edges and roll, you will get
a tall, thin, fluted edge.
Encourage your children to give these candles as gifts or to make them
for the holiday table. The kids will be so proud when they see their
handiwork gently glowing.
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