Making Candles from Beeswax

Beeswax candles have long been treasured for their natural beauty and long burn time. Whether you are a seasoned crafter or a first-timer – learning how to make beeswax candles is a fun project. In this guide, I will show you some of my favorite candle projects and give you the basics you need to create beautiful beeswax candles to enjoy in your home or gift to special friends.

One of my favorite uses for beeswax is making candles and melts. You have several techniques to consider. Perhaps you will make a simple beeswax candle with a mold (which I will show you) or go for something more difficult.

Why Choose Beeswax for Candle Making?

There are several reasons that beeswax is a popular material for candle making. One major benefit is avoiding possibly dangerous chemicals that may be lurking in that pretty store candle. Just because it smells nice, doesn’t mean that inhaling the fumes is good for you.

A natural renewable resource, beeswax is made by honey bees. It is easy to work with and melts at a higher temperature – making it a good choice for beginners.

When you make your own candles using beeswax, you control the quality and purity of the ingredients. This means a more non-toxic product for your home – another important benefit of beeswax candles.

Essential Materials

Before you begin making candles, you need to know more about the basic materials you will need. In some instances, you will have several choices and the one best will depend on the particular project you are making.

• beeswax
• wick
• molds
• scent (optional)
• color (optional)

Choosing Beeswax

There are several ways to acquire beeswax for your project. If you are a beekeeper, like me – you may have some wax left over from the honey harvest. Or, you can purchase wax from a local beekeeper. If you use raw wax – be sure to clean your beeswax before using it for candles.

Many local crafts stores sell beeswax in bars, pellets or pastilles. You can even buy wax online and it is a good idea to buy a little more than you expect to use. It never spoils- so no reason to not have some on hand.

Wax Color

We have all seen those lovely white candles in the store. Large companies use bleach to provide this beautiful white beeswax product. 

Color does not signify the quality of the beeswax-  but it does affect the price you will pay. Dark wax is often cheaper but does not look at bright for candles.

Natural wax occurs in various shades of yellow to gold. Because natural beeswax color can vary a bit – it is best to have enough of the exact same shade. This is especially true if you are making pairs where you need each one to look the same.

Wick Selection

Wick choice is an important factor in making beeswax candles. This natural wax burns hotter than paraffin or soy. Adjust your wicks size accordingly. Improper wick size will result in a candle that won’t burn.

Regardless of wick size – I recommend all cotton braided wick. Do not buy the ones with a zinc core. All cotton wicks burn cleaner and do not release caustic substances or toxins into the room.

Common Wick Sizes

The wick size is based on the diameter of your finished candle – how wide across they are. If you do not choose the correct wick size for beeswax, you will have trouble.

• 4/0 – is for a candle with a diameter less than 1″
• 2/0 – is for candles 1″ – 3″ in diameter
• #6 – is for candles larger than 3″ in diameter

You want to trim the wick to about 1/4″ before using your candle.

Adding Scent

Raw beeswax has a clean natural smell that many crafters prefer. However, if you want to add scent to your candles it is easy to do.

Purchased candle fragrance oils or regular essential oils can be added to melted wax. Follow the manufacturers instructions on how much to add – or experiment to find the level of fragrance you prefer.

This process is similar to when I make these scented wax tarts. Essential oils are also used in my herbal wax sachets. Scent is a very personal thing and it is hard to give a hard and fast rule on what and how much to use.

Coloring Beeswax Candles

When you make beeswax candles, adding color is also optional. In fact, I rarely color my poured candles. The only exception is when I am making green Christmas trees.

If you do not like the color of dark or yellow wax, candle wax coloring pigments are available. They provide a fun way to make use of your off-color wax.

Equipment and Tools

In most of these candle making projects, you will need a few tools or supplies. Of course, plenty of paper towels, perhaps some parchment paper to protect counter surfaces etc.

• double boiler or similar to melt wax

Safety Precautions

Any item that makes use of an open flame requires some thought to safety. Always follow the proper safety rules to avoid burns and fire.

As with any wax process, provide constant supervision! Do not leave it unattended. Beeswax is flammable and will catch fire when heated to the flash point.(400°F).

I know many people use the microwave to melt small quantities of wax. I do not recommend it. If you do, heat in small bursts and stay right with it.

Never leave burning candles unattended. And, during your creative process of making your beeswax candles – take care to avoid fire by overheating wax or other materials.

If you have any spills or drips (and sometimes you will), clean or remove beeswax from surfaces like countertops right away.

Step by Step Process

Here are the simple steps used to make a beeswax candle using a silicone mold. There are hundreds of beeswax candle molds you can choose from. And, I have made hundreds of candles using them. It truly is one of the easiest methods.

1. Begin with clean wax. Beeswax melts at about 147°F. The double boiler method is the safest option to melt beeswax – slow and steady. You can also clean or render beeswax in a crockpot but it is an even slower process.

Don’t skip this step. Clean wax is a requirement for nice burning beeswax candles. Otherwise the wick will clog and you will be disappointed. Commercially prepared wax should already be clean.

2. Prepare your mold to receive the hot wax. Measure the amount of wicking you will need – measure off some extra so you will have room to tie the wick at the top.

Use a wooden skewer, clothespin or similar to hold the wick centered in your candle mold. In the photo above, you can see how I did this for my citronella candles made with beeswax.

Be careful when you thread your wick through the hole in the bottom of your mold. Carefully, push the wick through the tiny hole with a skewer, small piece of wire etc. Be gentle – don’t damage your mold.

Rubber bands are often used to hold the soft parts of the silicone molds together. Use more than one the mold will leak if the seal is not strong.

3. Using spray release is not usually necessary when using silicone molds. However, I usually do lightly spray inside my molds just before pouring.

With the candle mold sitting on a level surface, slowly pour the melted wax into the mold. Try to do it smoothly – avoid stops and starts.

Fill up to the top level. Let your candle cool a few minutes – then you may need to top it off just a bit – especially if you see a hole form near the wick.

Other Beeswax Candle Projects

Here is a fun collection of easy candle making projects you should try:

• Rolled Beeswax Candles
• Beeswax Christmas trees (using wax sheets – advanced)
• Egg Shaped Beeswax Candles
• DIY Seashell Candle tealights
• Beeswax Lanterns or Luminaires – not strictly a candle but beautiful

Hand Dipped Candles

For a truly traditional candle making experience, you may want to try your hand at making dipped beeswax candles. They are very challenging.

Your first few batches will be a bit bumpy and natural looking. Don’t expect them to look like polished tapers from the store. This is a true art form.

Container Beeswax Candles

Create a unique look with glass jars (canning or mason jars) or other heat resistant glass or containers to hold the candle. For instance my basic beeswax candle recipe uses a blend of beeswax and coconut oil -very container friendly.

More Ideas

• Beeswax candles made with dried flowers
• Citronella Candle Pots
• Elegant tea cup candles.

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