How to Mold Beeswax

Honeycombs are made out of beeswax.

Beeswax is a versatile substance that can be used to make a number of crafts, from homemade soap and candles to decorations and tree ornaments. The process of making a molded beeswax item requires that melted beeswax be poured into a mold and allowed to set. Make your own beeswax decorations with molds to add a touch of country style to your home.

Things You'll Need

• Double boiler
• 1-pound block of beeswax
• Wax molds
• Soup ladle
• Bowl
• Craft knife

Instructions

1. Place a block of beeswax into a double boiler on medium heat. Monitor the beeswax. When it starts to melt, insert a thermometer into it. When the beeswax reaches 170 degrees Fahrenheit, remove it from heat.

2. Let the beeswax sit until it has cooled down to 150 degrees Fahrenheit. While you are waiting for it to cool, set your molds out onto your workspace.

3. Use a soup ladle to pour the wax slowly into the molds. Let the poured molds sit for two hours or until they are completely cool to the touch and hardened into a solid mass. The cooled beeswax will be an opaque yellow color and should pull away from the walls or sides of the mold.

4. Gently pull the molded beeswax out of the molds. If it will not come out easily, place the bottom of the mold in a bowl of hot water. The heat will soften the wax just enough for you to remove it from the mold.

5. Smooth the edges of the molded beeswax by cutting off ridges made by the mold with a craft knife.

Tips & Warnings

• Add small pieces of candle tapers to the mold after the poured beeswax has set for 10 minutes to make loops for a beeswax ornament.

• Handle hot beeswax with care; it can burn.

References

• Mind Our Beeswax: How We Make Beeswax Ornaments