How to Make Beeswax Christmas Ornaments

Making beeswax ornaments follows a tradition that is centuries old and began in Germany with the Lebkuchen bakers. If you enjoy making Christmas ornaments or candles, you should make beeswax Christmas ornaments this year. They make lovely holiday decorations and are great inexpensive gift ideas for your friends and family. You can make beeswax ornaments for any occasion, season or holiday and also display them as beautiful sun catchers and wall decorations.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Beeswax
• Candle making pot or a double boiler
• Candle or candy thermometer
• Pot holders
• Chocolate, candy, candle or soap molds
• Exacto knife or sharp knife
• Liquid candle sheen
• Ribbon or string
• Candle scents and colors (optional)

1. Cut the beeswax into small pieces so that it melts easily. Place the pieces into a candle melting pot, or the top of a double boiler on the stove with the heat set at medium.
2. Melt the beeswax at a temperature of 170 to 180 degrees F in the top of a double boiler.
3. Allow the beeswax to cool slightly to a temperature between 150 to 160 degrees F. This is the temperature required for proper consistency to work with the beeswax. If it's too warm, the wax is runny and if it's cooled off too much, the wax is too thick.
4. Pour the melted beeswax wax into your Christmas ornament molds. The wax will harden as it cools, causing it to shrink slightly as it pulls away from the mold sides.
5. Remove the beeswax Christmas ornament from the mold after it's completely cool and make a hole at the top where you'll insert the hanging ribbon or string.
6. Trim any excess wax from the edges of your ornaments using a very sharp knife, such as an exacto knife, until the edges are smooth.
7. Apply a light coating of candle sheen over the entire beeswax ornament to give it a festive shiny finish. Candle sheen is available at local craft stores or online at websites such as glorybeefoods.com.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure to follow the basic safety rules for candle making when making your beeswax ornaments.
• Beeswax can be used plain or it can be colored and scented with candle making scents and colors available at local craft stores. Add the colors or scents after the beeswax melts and before it cools.
• Should you decide not to cover your beeswax ornament with candle sheen, it may get a white film, called a bloom, after some time. You can restore the ornament to it's natural shine by gently warming the surface of the ornament with a hair dryer. This will also restore the aroma of the natural beeswax.
• You can use any chocolate, candy, candle or soap mold to make your ornaments.
• Your beeswax Christmas ornaments will last a very long time if you treat them the same as you would a candle. The beeswax ornament will not melt, unless the temperature reaches 142 degrees Fahrenheit.
• If your candle or chocolate molds do not sit flat on a surface, place them in a dish that has sand in it to make them level.
• These ornaments do not have to be limited to Christmas ornaments, as they can be made in any holiday motif or theme. Certain designs can be used throughout the year, adding a personal touch to your home decor.
• Make sure to use extreme caution when working with the hot melted beeswax.
• Never pour melted wax down your drain.

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