Ben Carter
Beeswax candles are a popular choice for those looking for an eco-friendly alternative to traditional paraffin candles. They are biodegradable, produce little to no soot, and create a warm glow and a sweet scent. Making your own hand-rolled beeswax candles is a simple process that can be enjoyed by both adults and children. The process involves laying out a beeswax sheet, measuring and placing the wick, and then carefully rolling the sheet around the wick. The size of the wick and the thickness of the beeswax sheet can be adjusted to create candles of different sizes, and the sheets can also be cut and joined together to create thicker candles. Beeswax sheets come in various colours, allowing for customisation and decoration.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Difficulty level | Easy |
| Ideal for | Beginners |
| Suitable for | Adults and children |
| Melting wax required | No |
| Type of wax | Beeswax |
| Wax sheet size | 8"x8" or 16"x16" |
| Wick type | Cotton |
| Wick size | 3/4" longer than the wax sheet |
| Wick placement | Along the edge of the wax sheet |
| Rolling technique | Firm and even |
| Rolling direction | Away from you |
| Burn time | Up to 5x longer than other natural waxes |
| Burn characteristics | Clean, minimal soot, sweet scent |
| Customisation | Colourful, scented, decorative |
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What You'll Learn
Preparing the wick
The type of wick you choose is also important. Cotton wicks are commonly available in craft stores, and it's essential to select a wick thickness that matches the diameter of your desired candle. A wick that is too small may cause the candle to snuff out easily, while a wick that is too large may result in an excessive flame that quickly burns through the candle. Some people prefer to use raw wicks, but pre-treating the wick with wax can add stability and rigidity, making the rolling process easier.
Once you've cut the wick to the appropriate length, it's time to dip it in melted beeswax. This step provides the wick with stability and ensures it holds its shape during rolling. After dipping, straighten the wick on a waxed or grease-proof baking sheet and allow it to cool and harden. Remember to squeeze out any air from the wick after dipping to avoid air pockets in your final candle.
Now you're ready to begin rolling your beeswax candle. Place your wick along the edge of the beeswax sheet, leaving a little extra wick at the top for lighting. Start rolling the wax sheet gently but firmly around the wick, ensuring that the wick is secured and centred. Use a hairdryer on a low setting to keep the wax pliable as you work, and continue rolling until you've used all the wax.
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Cutting the wax sheet
To make a square beeswax candle, you will need to cut the wax sheet to the desired size. If you are using a full-size sheet of wax, which is typically 16" x 16", cut it in half to create two 8" x 8" sheets. This size is perfect for a long taper candle.
If you want to make shorter candles, you can cut the wax sheets in half again to create four 4" x 4" sheets. Alternatively, you can trim a sheet of wax vertically to make thinner candles.
When cutting the wax sheet, it is important to use a sharp cutting tool, such as a utility knife or scissors, to ensure a clean cut. It is also recommended to work on a clean, dry surface to avoid any dirt or moisture affecting the quality of your candles.
Before cutting the wax sheet, you may need to adjust its temperature. If the wax is too cold, it may be difficult to cut and roll. You can use a hairdryer on a low setting to gently warm up the wax, making it softer and more malleable. However, be careful not to overheat the wax, as this can cause it to melt or become unevenly soft, making cutting and rolling more challenging.
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Placing the wick
To place the wick, first, measure the length of your beeswax sheet and cut the wick about 3/4 inch longer than the wax. If you use an 8-inch sheet, for example, cut the wick to about 8 3/4 inches. You can leave 3/4 inch of wick on both sides, allowing you to choose the best-looking end as the top of the candle.
Next, lay out your beeswax sheet on a clean, dry, flat surface, with the length facing you. Place the wick along the short side of the wax, leaving a small portion of the wick sticking out. Press the wick gently into the wax to secure it in place.
Now, start rolling the candle by bending over about 1/8 inch of the wax. This small channel will help enclose the wick. Then, gently roll the beeswax sheet tightly around the wick, ensuring the roll is even by applying consistent pressure.
As you roll, it is important to avoid creating air pockets and to ensure the edges remain straight. You may need to use a hairdryer on a low heat setting to keep the wax pliable as you work.
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Rolling the wax
To begin rolling your beeswax candle, lay your beeswax sheet flat on a clean, dry surface. If your wax is too cold, it may be worth running a warm hairdryer over it to make it soft and malleable.
Next, you'll want to prepare your wick. Measure the wick by holding it along the width of the wax and cut it about 3/4 of an inch longer than the intended length of the candle. You can leave 3/4 of an inch of wick on both sides, so that if one end looks better than the other, you can make either end the top of the candle. Place the wick along the short side of the wax, leaving it sticking out at either end. You can push the wick into the wax a little to keep it in place.
Now, you're ready to start rolling. Roll the wax a few times to secure the wick in the middle. Roll the wax sheet tightly around the wick, making sure to press down firmly as you go, and ensuring the edges remain straight. You also want to avoid air pockets.
Continue rolling until you reach the end of the sheet. If you want to add another sheet of wax for a double-thick candle, simply butt a second sheet up to the edge of the first sheet, give the two sheets a few presses with your thumbnail to join them, and continue rolling. Gently press the final edge down onto the side of the candle. It should form a fairly smooth edge.
If the wax begins to unravel, set your blow dryer to medium heat and gently run it across the length of the candle. Then, press it down so it stays in place.
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Sealing the candle
Sealing your candle is an important step to ensure it burns effectively and efficiently. Once you've finished rolling your beeswax candle, you may notice that it begins to unravel a little. To prevent this, gently run a blow dryer on medium heat across the length of the candle. Then, press it down so that it stays in place.
You can also use a stamp to seal your candle. First, wait 15 to 30 seconds for the wax to cool. Then, gently pull on the stamp. If the wax moves, let it cool for a little longer. If it feels stiff, wiggle the handle and pull the stamp off. You can add a double-sided wax seal sticker to the back of the seal and stick it to a leaf, then onto the candle taper.
If you want to seal your candle with wax, you can use traditional beeswax or a glue-stick style wax. Traditional beeswax can be too crumbly and difficult to remove, so a glue-stick style wax may be preferable as it is flexible and designed for mailing. To seal with wax, melt the wax with a flame and place it on the desired area. Then, quickly and firmly press the seal into the wax and release.
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Frequently asked questions
The first step is to gather your materials. You will need beeswax sheets, a wick, a cutting tool, and a flat surface to work on.
Measure the length of your beeswax sheet and cut a piece of wick that’s about 1/2 to 3/4 inch longer than the sheet. The extra length will help secure the wick at the top for lighting. You can dip the wick in hot beeswax to add stability and rigidity, then leave it to cool and harden.
Place the wick along the edge of the beeswax sheet and roll the wax a few times to secure the wick in place. Continue to roll the beeswax sheet tightly and evenly around the wick, ensuring the edges remain straight and avoiding air pockets.
If your wax is too cold and splits easily, you can use a hairdryer on medium heat to make it soft and pliable.
Always burn your candle in a suitable holder, away from flammable materials, and never leave it unattended. Do not burn a candle for more than three to four hours, and stop burning a container candle when it has reached half an inch of wax at the bottom.
