DIY Christmas Tree Shaped Candles
If you are looking for a unique handmade gift idea, these Christmas tree shaped candles are certainly worth consideration. Using rolled sheets of beeswax to make candles is so easy that anyone can be a successful. The sheets are available in a wide variety of colors and they smell delightful. Learn how to make your own for gifting or decorating.
Unique Christmas Tree Shaped Candle or Ornament
Beekeepers will be familiar with these flat sheets of beeswax. Often called “wax foundation”, they are placed inside the wooden frames of the hive. This helps ensure that the bees build straight comb – making hive inspections easier.
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In most cases, this wax foundation will have wires embedded in the sheet to give the foundation strength. However, if you want to, you can order foundation without wires embedded.
For the hive sheets are in natural colors with no added dyes. But, you can purchase bright colored sheets of beeswax for crafting purposes. They come in an array of beautiful colors and are a bit thicker than regular wax foundation.
Materials
- sheets of beeswax
- wick
Beeswax Craft Sheets
Beeswax craft sheets are usually about 8 1/2” wide and 16 ” long. These are the ones I am using for this project – beeswax craft sheets.
Of course you can purchase many kinds of candle making kits that contain a lot of different colors. And if you are a beekeeper with unwired wax foundation – that will work too. You just need to be a bit more careful as it is usually thinner than crafting wax.
You can create many interested rolled beeswax candle projects by combining 2 colors into 1 candle. But of course, the single-color candles are beautiful too.
To create a striped rolled Christmas tree candle you will need 2 craft sheets of beeswax. One of each color desired. This can be the traditional colors of red, white or green but it is fine to use other stylish colors to match your décor.
Use the Proper Size Candle Wick
These Christmas tree shaped candles can be used as a candle or an ornament. (Of course, it goes without saying that I would not hang them on a tree while lit. That’s a fire hazard we don’t need.)
Beeswax candles require a different wick size than some types of candle. This is because beeswax burns hotter. For this small project, wick size is not as crucial.
However, the wrong wick size can result in uneven burning and dripping – things a good beeswax candle does not normally do.
Choose cotton candle wicking that is a size 1/0 or 2/0/ – be sure the/0 is on there as a wick size 2 is not the same as 2/0.
Wick is not very expensive. It is a good idea to keep some on hand for other beeswax projects.
Striped Beeswax Christmas Tree Candle Tips
These candles can be used as small inexpensive gifts or even ornaments on the tree (unlit of course). This is not a messy project but take care as small bits of wax can sometimes fall on the floor.
The final appearance of your beeswax Christmas tree shaped candles will vary just a bit depending on how tightly you roll up the wax.
But, no worries – they are special handmade items and not supposed to look like one of thousands from a factory floor.
Beeswax becomes brittle when it is cold. Work in a warm but not hot room. And, you can gently warm the wax sheets a bit with a heat gun or hair dryer if needed. Don’t overdo it or your wax will melt!
Christmas Tree Shaped Candles Tutorial
Tools
- scissors
- heat gun (or hairdryer)
- ruler
Supplies
- 1 piece beeswax craft sheet white or natural
- 1 piece beeswax craft sheet (colored) red or green
- 1 piece cotton candle wick 2/0 18"
Instructions
- Place the 2 sheets of beeswax on a table or sturdy surface. (You are going to cut the wax sheet so be sure to protect your table or surface counter).Lay the wax sheets – one atop the other – it does not matter which color is on top. I was using regular 1 sheet of regular foundation that was slightly larger – so I trimmed off the excess.
- With the sheets of beeswax laying in front of you (long side going left to right), measure 4 ¼” from end to end.Your goal is to cut the sheets in half lengthwise and end up with a long rectangle. Make the cut.You now have 4 pieces of beeswax – 2 of each color. Lay 2 of them aside for later – we only need 2 (1 or each color) to create our candle.
- Place the 2 sheets of wax on the table – again with the long side of the rectangle running left to right. Align the sheets so that they are stacked on top of each other. Using your ruler, measure up ½ inch from the bottom of the rectangle on your left side – and ½” down from the top right corner.This line will create a diagonal line that you will cut along and create 4 triangles (2 of each color).
- Cut the wick for your beeswax Christmas tree candle – about 6” – you can always trim it later if you plan to burn it. You need 1 piece of wick for each candle you plan to make – and 2 of the beeswax triangles.
- Place one of the triangles on the table. The 3 ½” side is closest to you with the taper pointing away.Lay the other color of wax on top of the first sheet. Adjust the 2nd color of wax so that the longest edge is about ¼” up from the edge of the bottom sheet. The right angle of the triangle will be on your left side.
- Put the wick along the short end of the triangle – left to right. On the right angle corner (this will be the bottom of the candle) the wick should be flush. The remainder of the wick can hang out the top.
- Gently warm the wax with your hair dryer on a low setting for a few seconds – to not overheat the wax.Take a ruler and use it to evenly fold up a small section of wax to enclose the wick. With your fingers – firmly enclose the wick in wax material.
- Using 2 hands, firmly roll up the candle. Try to keep the bottom edges aligned properly with the same amount of overlay.Once the sheet is completely rolled up – hold the candle in your hands and let your body heat seal the edges.
Notes
Use and Storage
These small tree-shaped candles make a special addition to any holiday décor. They can be used as tree ornaments, place settings, or party favors. What a lovely inexpensive gift to send home with someone.
Beeswax melts about about 147°F. Keep them away from heat sources and store them in a room temperature location. Don’t put them up in the attic during Summer!
This year is a great year to add some traditional beeswax crafts to your holiday. If you want to work with melted wax, try these blackened beeswax ornaments for a Christmas tradition.
Everyone appreciates handmade gifts and this one is very easy to do. What about some homemade fire starters made with beeswax and pinecones?
Don’t forget to check out my directions for making regular rolled beeswax candles – they are simple but so very elegant.
There are many ways to make candles with wax. Try several different methods until you find the perfect one for you. A great non-wax bee craft is making a comical bee gnome – a perfect idea for adults and older children.
