How to Make Soy Wax Tarts (with Beeswax too!)
One of the most popular ways to freshen up your indoor living space is by using wax tarts. With a wide range of fragrances and colors to use, it is easy to find something that pleases everyone. Scented wax tarts are a great way to enjoy the fragrance of a candle without the danger of a burning wick. Make your own soy wax tarts – it is so easy to learn how and lots of fun.
Make Your Own Scented Beeswax Soy Tarts
Now commonly called, wax melts, the term “tarts” originated with the candle making industry. Candle makers were looking for a way to use left-over bits of candle wax.
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Because of the forms used, these bits and dabs of wax resembled “pastry-tarts”, hence the nickname began. Isn’t that funny but it can cause some confusion at times.
Soy Wax in Tart Making
Soy wax is a popular material for making container candles but it also works well for creating scented tarts or melts. There are several blends of soy wax used in candle making projects.
It is often blended with paraffin and other waxes, such as beeswax, to create a soy blend best for a particular project.
Soy is cleaner burning than paraffin (when used for candles) and is a renewable resource. However, it is not without its challenges. As a soft wax, it can be harder to remove from a warmer or tart melter.
Using Beeswax to Make Wax Tarts
Beeswax is a wonderful natural wax made by honey bees. Bees use it to build the sheets of honeycomb inside the hive.
After every honey harvest, some beeswax is left over for the beekeeper to use or sell. There are many different uses for beeswax in and around the home. It is a valued hive product – more profitable even than honey.
This natural wax is highly valued for making beeswax candles. Alas, beeswax and honey are not considered vegan. However, responsible beekeepers can harvest excess wax with minimal impact on the colony.
Mixing Beeswax and Soy for the Perfect Blend
In it’s solid state, beeswax is harder than soy wax. This makes it a perfect material to blend with soy for making wax tarts. The soy adds softness to the mixture and the beeswax helps the tart last longer.
A 25% mixture or 1/4 beeswax to soy is common but you can use any percentage. The more beeswax the harder the finished tart and the slower it will melt.
Using Colorants and Scents
The simplest way to add color and aroma to your homemade wax tarts is by using candle dye and essential oils. The amount of each you need varies greatly depending on the individual product and manufacturer.
The best advice I can give you is to find a color or scent that you like and experiment a bit. For scent, whether using essential oils or fragrance oils, start with a reasonable amount and make a small batch of wax tarts.
Continue to experiment adding more of the product until you get the effect you desire. In general, most crafters use 1 oz of essential oil for each pound of wax.
A word of caution – If members of your household have allergies or are sensitive to scents, proceed carefully. This includes your pets too! Some people and animals react poorly to strong odors even from a wick-less wax tart.
Scented Beeswax Soy Tarts Tutorial
Tools
- microwave
Supplies
- 8 ounces Soy Wax Flakes (net wt)
- 2 ounces beeswax
- .5 ounce Essential Oil (I used Lavender)
- 1 piece Silicone Mold – Small Bee Theme
- 2 pieces wooden stir sticks
- 1 can Mold Release Spray
Instructions
- Beeswax takes longer to melt than soy – so you might want to begin with the beeswax. The safest method for melting beeswax is by using the double boiler method.This is basically a medium sized pot with water that holds a smaller pot with your beeswax. I have several of these little metal candy making pots for beeswax crafting.Measure your 2 oz of beeswax and place it in the melting pot. Small pieces or beeswax pastilles melt faster but a chunk of block melts too!
- Weigh your soy wax flakes and put into a suitable melting pot or double boiler. Instead – Soy can be melted in the microwave. Just heat it in short bursts – checking until it liquifies.
- Mix the melted soy wax and beeswax together and stir with a craft stick to blend. Let the mix cool for just a minute.
- Add the desired essential oil or fragrance. The amount needed depends on the oil used. Begin with manufacturers advice. Stir to blend.
- Pour the hot mixture into your silicone molds. I usually spray my molds with mold release spray first but this is usually not needed with soft silicone molds. You can find many types of cute molds that work well for making beeswax and soy tarts. I choose bees but any small candy mold will work.
- Leave the wax tarts to cool on the counter. Do not move the mold until the top has cooled enough to skim over well. If you are in a big hurry, you can then place them in the freezer for a few minutes. Otherwise, leave them to cool on the counter for a couple of hours.
- Once the tarts are cool and set, they will readily pop free of the mold. They are ready to use.
Notes
Expert Tips
While making your product -don’t over-heat your waxes. Watch them carefully and do not leave them unattended. You do not want them to be very hot – just melted.
Remember to go light with the added scents until you are comfortable with the end result. The wonderful thing about this beeswax craft is that if you are not happy you can melt it all and try again.
Making your own wax tarts are a great way to enjoy fragrance in your home without the fire dangers of candles. You may also want to try beeswax melts made with coconut oil.
Using and Storing Your Homemade Wax Tarts
Tarts, like melts work with various wax melters. These units are available in many different styles to fix any taste or décor.
Some are electric and make use of a small light bulb to melt the tart. Others have a solid warming plate above a tea light.
Once cool and set, place your soy wax tarts in a sealed jar and store in a cool place. This is a simple and fun way to use beeswax and soy to create a nice home product or gift.
Of course this is just one of many ways of creating with beeswax. There are hundreds of ways to make beeswax candle with molds – purchased or DIY.
For a truly unique experience – try these beeswax lanterns or luminaries. They provide a special touch to any table setting.