Beeswax Honeycomb Sheet Candles
Beeswax can be used as an additive in other paraffin wax candles or can be the main ingredient in a candle. Candles marketed as 'beeswax candles' must be at least 51% beeswax, candles marketed as 100% pure beeswax should have no other waxes or additives.
Beeswax honeycomb sheets can be purchased and rolled around candlewick to make a hand-rolled beeswax candle. To make the honeycomb sheets, beeswax is first melted down and strained. Color is often added, but naturally colored honey-yellow sheets are also available. The was is then poured into honeycomb sheet molds and left to cool. The resulting sheets of beeswax with a honeycomb pattern are used to make hand-rolled candles.
Beeswax Pillar Candles
Hand rolled beeswax pillar candles may be the easiest to make. Start with a square or rectangle shaped sheet of honeycomb beeswax laying flat on the workspace. Press a length of candle wick into one edge of the sheet of wax.
Aim a hot air gun (or hair dryer) at the wax for one second; you want to warm up the wax to make it pliable but you do not want to melt it. Do not focus the hot air at one spot, but wiggle your wrist back and forth to distribute the hot air. Once the wax is warm, roll it up around the wick. The candle is ready to burn.
Pillar candles can be any height and width, from three inch thick pillar candles to little Chanuka or even birthday candles. It all depends on the size of the sheet of wax.
To change the size of shape of a sheet of honeycomb beeswax, simply lay the wax on a cutting board or thick piece of cardboard. Cut gently and carefully with a sharp craft knife.
Hand Rolled Beeswax Taper Candles
To roll a tapered candle, simply cut one side of the beeswax sheet at an angle. For example, if you have a 6" x 8" sheet of honeycomb beeswax, place a ruler on the sheet of wax from the bottom corner to a point on the top edge. For a gently tapered dinner candle, angle the ruler in just a couple of inches. For a candle that resembles a beehive or Christmas tree, angle the ruler from one bottom corner to the opposite top corner.
Use a sharp craft knife to gently cut the sheet of wax.
The following article has a complete set of instructions and a template for making the two tone beeswax taper candles in the picture.
Beeswax Honeycomb Chanuka Candles
- Candle Making Tips and Techniques: How to Make Chanuka Candles With Beeswax Sheets
Children and adults alike enjoy making their own Hanukkah candles out of beeswax honeycomb sheets.
Two Tone Beeswax Honeycomb Taper Candles
- Candle Making Tips and Techniques: Hand Rolled Beeswax Taper Candles With Two Colors
Fun, creative version of traditional hand-rolled beeswax candles. These candles are tapered and have a strip of contrasting color swirling around the candle.