How to Make Candles: Beeswax Candles

Okay, I know that we tend to focus on creating more complex candles, anything from fruit gel candles to stamped candles but sometimes it is nice to create a candle that is simple to make, quick to finish and easy enough for even children to create.

Beeswax candles offer you all of these things and anyone can make them. It is a very quick craft and you can embellish them with flowers, glitter or just about anything else to make them an excellent gift at Christmas or other holidays. Even better, beeswax has a wonderful scent that almost everyone loves.

• Beeswax Sheets: You can purchase these at most craft stores in the candle making section. They come in a variety of sizes and colors and are a simple sheet, about ¼ cm thick. Play around with the colors to create a variety of looks.
• Candle Wicks: Another item you can purchase at a craft store, you can buy them pre-cut or in strips. For this craft, I would suggest buying a roll of wicks since you can play around with the length a bit more. Use cotton wicks for this craft.
• Scissors: For cutting wicks and beeswax. Make sure they are sharp.
• Embellishments: This is optional but you can use ribbon, flowers or anything else on your beeswax candles.

Directions:

1. Before you start anything, decide what type of candle you would like. If you would like a long taper, you will want to cut the beeswax to reflect that. If you would like a fat pillar, cut the beeswax so you have a long rectangle with a short edge. The short edge is where you will place your wick and you will roll down the length of the rectangle to make the candle thicker.
2.  If you decide to cut the beeswax, it is easier to fold it before hand. This will give you a straight line to follow as a guide.
3.  Once you have your beeswax sheet cut, trim the wick to about 1 inch longer than your beeswax sheet.
4. Place the wick on the one edge of the beeswax, make sure you work on a flat surface such as a table or counter.
5. Fold the beeswax up and over the wick, with the inch overhanging on both ends. It should be tight against the wick and folded under so it is secure.
6. Begin rolling your beeswax sheet. This is done by using both hands and providing even pressure the entire time. You need to keep a careful eye on how you are rolling so you avoid gaps and so you run evenly with the edges. The end result should be an even and tight rolled candle. If there are gaps or the edges are not square, the candle will not burn well.
7. When your candle is rolled completely, trim the wick. It should be flush with the candle on one end and trimmed to ¼ inch in length on the other.
8. Decorate if you would like to or dip the end of the candle in melted beeswax so you create a prepared wick that is the same color as the candle.

Wrap up and give as a gift or keep for yourself.

-Sirena Van Schaik