How to Get the Best Beeswax Candle Making Kits

March 27, 2010 · Filed Under Craft · Comment 

Some novice candle makers assume that beeswax candles are more complicated to manufacture than other types because of the sticky consistency and costly raw material.  Nevertheless, as soon as you get into the beeswax candle making process, you will learn that beeswax is an exceptionally user-friendly material to make use of for handcrafted candle making.  There are two ways of making beeswax candles: you can roll the beeswax sheets or you can dissolve the beeswax blocks for pouring in containers or holders  Unfortunately beeswax is more high-priced than other types of candle making components, which could make it inappropriate for enterprise.

Nevertheless, what you should be aware of is that people really fancy beeswax candles because of their smell and overall texture.  This type of candles won’t leave a sooty blot on your walls if you use these candles for decoration.  People will gladly pay extra for the mild honey aroma that is characteristic of beeswax.  These are perfect for use in the dining table during a proper feast.  This means if you can master the craft of handmade beeswax candle making, your revenue capability will increase.

Here is a little something about beeswax.  It is a gummy substance taken from hives.  The raw or unrefined beeswax is harvested by beekeepers and sold in shops.   More often than not, beeswax can be purchased in wholesale from beehive keepers and honey wholesalers.  This means it’s more cost-effective to purchase your beeswax raw materials directly from honey bulk suppliers than anywhere else.

Those who craft beeswax candles at home usually do so when it’s time for gift giving, i.e. during holidays.  All you’ve to do is to put a ribbon around the beeswax candles you make and dispatch these to friends and family.  Another way of sharing your beeswax candle hobby with friends is by giving beeswax candle making kits instead of the candles.   It’s highly likely that your friends and family members also want to learn how to make handcrafted beeswax candles but they don’t have the supplies on hand.  Sending beeswax candle making kits means you want your friends and loved ones to experience the delight of candle making.

Each kit contains beeswax in sheets or blocks.  Most merchandisers assemble these kits themselves so you can inquire what form of beeswax is included in each kit.  Beeswax sheets can be rolled, while blocks must be melted and then subsequently molded.  If you are planning on purchasing more kits for gift giving, check for the presence of wicks, dye, scented oils and candle containers inside your beeswax candle making kits.

To finish, here’s a tip for you if you are planning to purchase in bulk.  Art suppliers do not store supplies for long because of the shelf life of each component.  This means you might get your beeswax candle making kits at a massive discount if you keep a close eye on the stock sale schedules in your region.  Usually, huge discounts are given right before the holidays, during the Christmas rush.  This can be a good time to stock up on your beeswax candle making materials.

Here is more information on How to Make Beeswax Candles. Here is a website with a free mini-course dedicated to Candle Making.

Begin Your Own Bee’s Wax Candle Making Tradition

February 5, 2010 · Filed Under Craft · Comment 

Can you craft candles as a family? The answer is absolutely yes!   Producing bee’s wax candles is simple and fun for the whole family, because of the undemanding process involved.  Before we get to the how, let’s talk about what bee’s wax candles are. These candles can be seen in church altars and ceremonial dining tables.  This sort of candle typically comes in candle containers, but the really stylish ones are molded.  You can buy bee’s wax in sheets and in lumpy blocks.

Sheets can be rolled into candles whilst beeswax blocks need to be liquefied before they can be transformed into pretty candles.  You will require a double boiler, a heat source and a number of holders or containers for crafting candles out of beeswax lumps.  This is the normal way of making beeswax candles, which is similar to the process used for creating paraffin type candles.  In this method, you are going to make use of heat, which means you will need safety goggles, a heat resistant apron and safety mittens.  Fortunately, there is an unconventional way of creating candles out of beeswax.

The unorthodox technique will require the use of bee’s wax sheets.  In this system, you do not need to use heat or a double boiler.  This means you do not have to make use of heat because you won’t be thawing wax.  The only part of the process that isn’t child-friendly is the cutting of the bee’s wax sheets.

In some cases, you do not even have to cut the bee’s wax sheets for the reason that some suppliers offer pre-cut ones.  Just keep in mind, the shape and style of your beeswax candles will depend on how the sheets were cut prior to rolling.  Use a really sharp pair of cutters to slice the wax.

You may also choose to utilize a craft knife or an average kitchen knife.  Your finished product’s height will depend on the length of your wax sheet.  If you want to make pointed candles, you will want to slice your bee’s wax sheets in triangles.  You will have to prime the wicks and position them on the sheets of bee’s wax prior to letting the younger family members handle the sheets.

Wick priming involves dipping the wick in melted bee’s wax and letting it cool.  Crease the edge of your sheet securely until the primed wick is fully covered.

Then … the enjoyable part!

Each family member must have at least one sheet of wax to roll.  The whole procedure is similar to rolling dough prior to baking.  Little children may need some help rolling the wax.  The correct way of rolling the wax is to use a steady but moderate force to roll the wax.  The bee’s wax sheets are lightweight enough to be molded into a tube by hand.  You don’t have to worry about adding dye to your rolled bee’s wax candles for the reason that some shops color the bee’s wax sheets.  Select pastel colors to persuade your younger members to join in your new family custom.

Here is more information on How to Make Beeswax Candles. Here is a website with a free mini-course dedicated to Candle Making.

How to Make Beeswax Candles — A Simple Modern Method

September 21, 2009 · Filed Under Craft · Comment 

Beeswax has always been one of the best candle making materials. People have treasured its mild aroma and clean burning characteristics since it was first used. Even with the advent of soy wax in recent years, beeswax is still considered a premium candlemaking material. Here’s how to make beeswax candles using a simple and easy to learn method.

Traditionally, the most common way of making beeswax candles is either by dipping or using a mold. I’m about to teach you a much simpler method that uses sheets of beeswax.

Beeswax sheets for candle making are typically 10 x 16″ in size. They commonly have a slight waffle pattern embossed on the surface. A characteristic of beeswax is that it remains flexible at room temperature, which makes it possible to produce a candle without melting the wax and using a mold.

Start by laying a sheet of beeswax on a smooth, flat surface. A clean kitchen counter or table works fine. The height of the candle is determined by the width of the sheet. If you want to make a shorter candle, simply trim the sheet using a straight edge and a sharp knife.

Arrange the sheet so that the edge that will become the center of the candle is toward you. Cut a piece of wick so it is an inch or so longer than the candle height. Press the wick gently but firmly into the wax.

Now gently and carefully roll the sheet of wax around the wick. take care to apply pressure evenly so you don’t distort the candle.

In cold weather, the wax may be a little stiff. If this happens, you can use a hairdryer on a low setting to warm the wax. Be careful as you do this – too much heat will ruin the candle.

If you want a thicker candle then you get using one sheet, simply continue with another. When you’re done press the edge of the final sheet into the body of the candle and smooth it out. Again, be careful as you do this to avoid distorting the candle.

After you’ve experimented with this method for while, you’ll very likely want to try some of the more traditional methods. You can find full instructions in these methods, including tips for success, at: How to Make Beeswax Candles

although beeswax is one of my favorite waxes, it is not the only material you can use to make candles. You can explore other possible choices at: Candle Making Wax.

You can find out about all things having to do with the craft of candle making at:

http://www.CandleMakingConnection.com/

Now that you know how to make beeswax candles I hope you’ll consider learning other candle making techniques as well.