How to Make Candles From Beeswax & Bayberries
The burning of candles began as a necessary source of light in early American homes. The crudest candles were made from animal fat or tallow rendered from animals slaughtered in preparation for winter. In time, beeswax gathered from beehives and wax made from the bayberry bush produced a superior, fragrant, smoke-free candle that soon gained favor with those that could afford them. To this day, the best candles are made from bayberry wax combined with a little beeswax to counteract the brittleness of the wax made from the bayberry plant alone. With care and a little time, you too can make beeswax--bayberry candles to add natural, fragrant light to your own home.
Things You'll Need
- Beeswax
- Bayberry candle wax
- Candle wicks
- Wax melter or double boiler
- Wooden spoon
- 2 stacks of books
Instructions
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1
Fill the bottom pot of your double boiler or wax melter half full of water.
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2
Bring the water to a rolling boil.
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3
Place blocks, chunks or pearls of bayberry wax in the top pot and melt it until it becomes a liquid.
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4
Add blocks, chunks or pearls of beeswax to the liquefied bayberry wax and stir gently until all the wax is melted. Bayberry will provide fragrance while beeswax will soften the mix. Combine the waxes according to personal preference but ensure that at least three-fourths of the wax is bayberry for best dipping results.
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5
Cut a length of candle wick 6 inches longer than the combined length of two candles.
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6
Tie a double hitch knot connecting the wicking to the handle of the wooden spoon, allowing two dangling lengths for dipping into the melted wax.
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7
Dip the wicks into the melted wax.
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8
Remove the coated wicks and allow the wax to cool completely.
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9
Stack two sets of books so that your wooden spoon can rest upon them and the dipped candles can rest between them during the cooling process.
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10
Repeat Steps 7 and 8 above until the desired candle thickness is achieved. Allow the completed candles 24 hours of hanging time to completely harden.
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11
Cut the wicks from the wooden spoon and trim to 1/2 inch in length. Place your candles in appropriately sized candle holders, light them and enjoy.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Bayberry and beeswax are available at most craft supply stores.
Liquid wax can produce serious burns. Keep small children well clear of your candle making equipment.
References
- Photo Credit candle image by Henryk Olszewski from Fotolia.com
