DIY Seashell Candles-Made With Beeswax

Making your own beeswax candles is one of the most common ways of using this natural wax. If you love natural things in general and candles specifically, I have just the project for you. It is really easy to make your own seashell candles using beeswax and a bit of wick. These tiny candles give off a beautiful light and can be used much like any tealight.

How to Make Homemade Seashell Candles

I dearly love searching for seashells at the beach. While we do not get down to the ocean as much as I would like, I always plan some time alone looking for shell treasures. Perhaps, you do the same?

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If you are not lucky enough to have a shell collection on hand, no worries. You can purchase sea shells to use in your candle making crafts. Who says you have to use conventional beeswax candle molds?

Choosing the Best Shell Types for Beeswax Tealights

The only two things required to make a candle is an amount of wax and a bit of wick. Once you move past those 2 requirements, let your imagination run wild.

If you are a shell collecting nut, like me, your collection probably has some of every size and shape. The weirder-the better.

However, for making beeswax tea lights, the common ark shells are some of the best. We want a candle that is small enough to only require a small amount of wax but large enough to burn for a bit.

DIY Seashell Candles – Step by Step

Charlotte Anderson @ Carolina Honeybees, LLC

Instructions for using small seashells to create beeswax candle tealights.

5 from 2 votes

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Tools

• double boiler (pot to melt wax) (or equivalent)

Supplies

 

• 3 ounces beeswax
• 3 pieces tealight wicks
• 3 pieces seashells small (any size)

Instructions

 

• Select the right size seashell

  Choose a shell that when sitting level will hold a bit of wax. I honestly never measure but let’s say a tablespoon of melted beeswax.
  
• In general, I always use cotton core wicks of the appropriate size when making beeswax candles.

  However, the pre-made tealight wicks work so well with this seashell candle that I am recommending you stick with them.

  You will need one for each candle. Take them out of the bag and make sure the wick is secure on the tab and straight before you proceed.
  
• There are many different ways of cleaning and melting beeswax. You do want clean wax for a clean burning candle.

  If you are purchasing beeswax, it will most likely be ready to use. For those of you using raw beeswax, you may need to clean it a bit more to ensure any excess honey is removed etc.

  The best and safest way of melting beeswax is always using the double boiler method. You can make your own with a mini-double boiler insert. I have 2 or three that I use for my wax projects.
  
• Pour wax. Carefully pour a small amount of melted beeswax into the deepest part of the shells.

  I suggest you make one at a time. If you are not steady and a bit nervous (like me) you may overflow the candle. That is okay – you can wipe the excess off.

  However, will the wax melt and pool out of the candle when you light it? Take care to leave a bit of shell on the rim.
  
• The wax cools rather quickly but you have a few seconds to work. This is why it is important to have your wick ready before you start and to only pour one candle at a time.

  Set down your cup of melted wax and quickly but gently insert the prepared tealight wick and tab into the melted beeswax. The tab should help anchor the wick.

  Let your candle cool for a couple of hours. The time needed will depend on the ambient temperature of the room. Trim the wick to 1/4″ and you are ready to enjoy.
  

Notes

*Cleaning beeswax is very important for candle making.  Honey and propolis residue left in the wax will clog the wick.

*If you melt your wax in the microwave (not the safest method). Do only a few ounces of beeswax in a microwave safe cup or container. Watch it closely and do not let the wax overheat.

*Wax is very difficult to remove from pots, pans, floors etc. It is best to have dedicated tools that you only use for wax crafting.

Learn more about bees and using products from the hive!Join me on Instagram – @carolina_honeybees

Scenting Your Seashell Candles

Often when making candles with beeswax, crafters choose to forgo added scent and enjoy the natural odor of the wax. However, if you want to add scent – a few drops of essential oils or fragrance oils in the mix will work very well.

Enjoy Your Homemade Beeswax Seashell Candle Tealights

Now, wasn’t that easy? You have some beautiful decorative candles that can be used for any occasion. And, this is a great way to preserve and use some of those seaside treasures. Of course, as always, take care when using any type of candle as unwanted fire or burns can result.

Inexpensive Small Gifts

These beeswax seashell tealights make great gifts or wedding favors too! And what about those end of the year teacher gifts? Older children can help make these with a bit of supervision.

Beeswax is very easy to work with and can be used to make many different projects. I enjoy preserving Fall leaves with Beeswax and making garlands for the holidays.

And for Summer, what about using that left over beeswax to make citronella candles for your next outdoor party?