Introduction
Beeswax candle making is an ancient craft that has been practiced for centuries. Over time, methods have developed to idealize the function and results of the final product.
Today, this craft has evolved into several different techniques that can be used to make beautiful and unique candles. Famous for being smokeless and virtually soot free, beeswax candles are popular for many reasons. Not only are they natural air purifiers by releasing negative ions when burning, but also produce a pleasant aroma as well as providing soft light conducive to relaxation. What’s also great about beeswax candles is their long-burning time compared to other options in the market.
YouTube is full of resources on how to make your own beeswax candles from home. Whether you want to know the basics before diving into the pool or would like to know more intricate details about dyeing and scenting wax ” you can find it there! You can watch tutorial guides or follow along with step-by-step instructions found among discussion boards, blogs or e-books available online.
The possibilities with beeswax candle making range from a variety of sizes such as votives and votive holders, pillars and tapers all the way up to layered or carved work. These fundamental elements are covered through Youtube tutorials which explore different projects, offering troubleshooting advice along the way. Recent advances in candle making have made it possible to even incorporate wicks made of paper instead of cotton in order to save time on centering during production ” where advanced videos will teach how you how! Plus much more on adhesives, tools and wax available commercially such as carnauba waxes, paraffin waxes and soy waxes will be discussed further throughout these instructional vlogs.
The Health Benefits of Beeswax Candles
When it comes to light sources, beeswax candles are a great natural option. Not only do they provide a warm flickering light that is known to help relax people, but they also come with a host of health benefits as well.
One of the major health benefits associated with beeswax candles is that they don’t release toxins into the air like paraffin wax candles do. Paraffin wax produces potentially hazardous chemicals such as soot, Benzene, and other petroleum-based pollutants which can be dangerous when inhaled over long periods of time. By using beeswax candles instead of traditional ones you are drastically reducing any health risks related to toxic fumes and smoke entering your home’s air supply.
Beeswax has also been found to improve indoor air quality by releasing negative ions when burned. Negative ions have been found to counterbalance pollutants in the air like dust, mites, pet dander and more, creating an environment that is much less irritable for those with allergies or asthma sufferers. In addition to providing air purification, burning beeswax can help kill germs and mold in your home due its high temperature burning point and its healing aromatherapy scent.
Finally making your own beeswax candles at home may be a fun activity to undertake while helping save money on store bought varieties and support local beekeepers! Trawling through Youtube there are scores of instructional videos which show step-by-step instructions on how to make your own candle masterpieces in no time!
Working With Different Waxes and Wicks
When making beeswax candles, you’re likely to come across many different types of waxes and wicks. Soy wax and paraffin wax are two of the most commonly used types of wax for beeswax candle making. Each type of wax has unique properties that can affect the durability, burning time, and aroma of your candles. In general, beeswax is better at creating stronger and more scented candles than either soy or paraffin alone. Using a combination of these three varieties of wax could result in a very fragrant and long-lasting candle.
The wick you choose for your candles also plays an important role in final product. You will want to choose a suitable size for your containers; too small a wick won’t provide enough support for the flame or keep it lit during use, while too large a wick might create an excessively large flame that can ‘melt’ the wax quickly, resulting in smoke problems or overconsumption of your candle wax supply. Aside from choosing the correct wick size, Beeswax requires special “primed” cotton core wicks that have been dipped in wax several times before using them; this ensures they will be strong enough to withstand the heat of burning without falling apart prematurely. If necessary, make sure to check with your supplier regarding what type of wicks they recommend for their products as well as how to properly pre-treat them before setting up your candle molds
In addition to these two considerations there are other factors to take into account when creating candles such as proper pouring techniques and safety protocols when melting and working with hot materials. To learn more about these aspects, many candle makers turn to video tutorials on Youtube for guidance – if you’d like to join them, search ‘beeswax candle making’ on YouTube for instruction from experienced beekeepers turned craftsmen who share helpful advice about all things honeycomb-related!
Preparation and Melting
Making beeswax candles requires patience and precision. Understanding the melting process ahead of time is essential if you want your finished product to be perfect. One of the key steps in making perfect beeswax candles is temperature control, and it begins with the wax itself! Before you begin, make sure your wax is at the proper temperature, a few degrees below the melting point. This will ensure thorough melting and good adhesion between layers as you build your candle.
When preparing beeswax for candle making, double-boiler systems are always recommended. Not only do they allow you to better control and maintain lower temperatures while melting, but they also help prevent disaster as overheating can cause your wax to catch fire or harden prematurely. You should never attempt to melt wax over an open flame as this could result in a very dangerous situation. Using digital thermometers or temperature adjusting hot plates will provide added ventilation and temperature control.
Once the wax reaches its working temperature, think about additional wicks or colors that need to be added before pouring starts. Dye blocks should be melted along with your wax until completely dissolved prior to pouring into molds so that it doesn’t leave any lines inbetween layers. Once all additives are mixed thoroughly, it’s time for pouring! Using a glass funnel for more accurate pours can help reduce excess mess and waste from spills during the dipping process. Lastly, remember to wait until all your beeswax candles cool completely before removing from their molds”just like baking cookies!
Candle Making Techniques
There are many different methods used when making beeswax candles, and these vary depending on the desired result. Many of the standard candle making techniques can be applied to beeswax candles with some slight adjustments.
Layering – Layering is a popular technique among wax-makers as it creates unique looks that would not be achievable otherwise. This involves dripping one color of wax over another before it has had time to set, allowing both colors to mix together for a marbled effect. When layering beeswax, however, there needs to be extra care taken as the melting temperature is higher than paraffin so adding layers too quickly can lead to the previous layer being ruined along with any pattern you might have been creating.
Scent Adding – Beeswax doesn’t often take artificial scents without minimal effetcs but when it does, there a certain techniques which need to be employed in order for them come out correctly. When using material from an essential oil, first dilute in alcohol then heat until all liquid has been absorbed by the wax and all alcohol has evaporated ” this protects against overpowering fragrances and burning of oils when the candle is lit.-Other additives such as perfumes can also work if they whisked into melted beeswax thoroughly before pouring into a moulds or container; how long needed will depend upon scent and should therefore be tested prior if possible.
Decorating Your Candles
One of the best parts about making beeswax candles is the opportunity to decorate them. There are lots of options for customizing your beeswax candles to make them unique and interesting. You can choose from all sorts of shapes, sizes, and colors depending on how creative you want to get. Here are some ideas:
– Use molds, either store-bought or homemade ones, to create intricate designs in your wax such as flowers, stars, or fish.
– Add colored pigments to the melted wax for a truly customized look.
– Embed items like dried flowers, crystals, or other small objects inside the candle before it cools so that these elements become capturied in the wax.
– Create patterns on larger pillar candles with embossed decorations. Use rubber stamps and craft paint for an easy yet beautiful patterning technique.
– Cover an entire pillar candle with bits of fabric for texture and color depth. Dab hot wax onto fabric scraps until covered then dip the entire candle into boiling water for a smooth finish
– Try stacking several small taper candles together in various configurations and overlapping them as desired. Variations in color can create visual delight with this technique!
Safety Basics
Do’s
– Always wear heat-resistant gloves when handling hot wax or heated molding apparatus.
– Always use clean and trusted tools and work areas to prevent contamination.
– Have the necessary safety equipment like fire extinguisher and adequate ventilation readily available.
– Use caution when dealing with molten wax and burning wicks.
– Use a pot holder, double boiler, or wax warmer for melting the wax and as a safe way to ignite wicks without open flames.
– Research candle pouring and molds before getting started to ensure proper materials are being used.
Don’ts
– Don’t leave candles unattended while lit; especially in an area that has activities like children or pets (better safe than sorry).
– Don’t mix scent in beeswax until it is cooled; otherwise the volatile oils could explode when introduced to molten wax at such high temperatures.
– Don’t use plastic containers with electric heat sources; instead, use stainless steel containers designed for heating purposes only as plastics can melt or leach toxins into your beeswax.
– Don’t pour melted wax over mothballs in your molds as they are usually made of synthetic oil products that could be flammable and hazardous to health when burned.
– Finally, don’t place any unanchored or suspended candles near stepping points; make sure that all delicate items are safely secured away from any pathways where accidents may occur.
Let YouTube Be Your Teacher
Beeswax candle making is an enjoyable craft that has been around for centuries, and it’s making a big come back. Making candles with beeswax can be a very rewarding experience for both the novice and experienced crafter. If you’re looking to start in the craft, or take your current skills to the next level, YouTube can be your helpful guide. Let’s explore some of YouTube’s best beeswax candle making tutorials today!
The CandleMaking Fun channel offers viewers an excellent tutorial on crafting basic cylinder candles using beeswax. Starting with the materials needed and ending with a perfectly formed golden yellow candle, this informative video provides valuable insight into creating beautiful canvas cylindrical candles.
The Candles by CSHH channel features another great tutorial video focused on crafting colorful beeswax taper candles. From selecting colors to choosing wicks, this detailed video provides wonderful insight into adding life to traditional tapers through bright colors ” ensuring warm colors will radiate from all corners of any room!
The RagPeddlerTX channel offer viewers informative how-to videos focused on crafting layered pillar candles using all natural beeswax. This 12 step procedure highlights how to unlock the multi coloured layers commonly seen in these popular creations. This instructional video also offers helpful tips on customizing these decorative items even further!
In addition to videos from dedicated candle makers featured above, many of the big box arts and crafts stores also have their own channels featuring instructional videos for crafting spectacular honeycomb made from 100% pure filtered wax. The world of beeswax is endless and there are no limits when it comes expressing yourself through wax!
For experienced enthusiasts looking take their wax crafting further, YouTube hosts numerous tutorials demonstrating more advanced techniques such as lost wax carving ” a traditional Asian method used produce intricate artwork into wax caterpillar shapes used in religious ceremonies throughout China and other parts of Asia. There are multiple aspects of lost wax carving that must be mastered before true skill within this craft can be achieved, but luckily YouTube has every step covered providing users with visual steps they need learn this precious art form use it generations come!
Takeaways from Experienced Candle Makers
Beeswax candle making is an incredibly popular craft today, and with good reason. It’s a great way to get creative while crafting something beautiful and useful. With the help of experienced candle makers available on YouTube, you can quickly become adept at making beeswax candles. Here are a few key takeaways from their tutorials.
1. Choose quality materials: Quality ingredients will make for higher quality candles, so be sure to buy beeswax that is unbleached and natural. Drivers should also be able to provide more details about their product if requested including purity level, scenting options, and more.
2. Prepare your work area: Ensure your work area is well-lit and clutter-free for maximum safety as you craft your candles. An organized workspace will also make it easier for you to focus on the job at hand when making the candles!
3. Understand the fundamentals of candle making: Professional candle makers utilize the best tools and techniques when it comes to creating Beeswax candles. To understand how to use wicks, molds, wax colorings, and more effectively in order to create top quality candles watch tutorials by experienced candle makers on YouTube or read articles that explain the basics of candle making.
4. Establish a testing process: Before crafting large batches of Beeswax Candles, it’s essential to test out your creations first in order to identify potential issues before investing time into completing them on a large scale. Testing allows you to determine which types of waxes or products give off stronger scents or have a better melting point than others before committing time into creating finished pieces more extensively!
Conclusion
Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced candle making artist, beeswax candles can be made in all kinds of shapes and sizes. They can be used as floating centerpieces, lit in votives to create a relaxing atmosphere, or even as decorations around your home. And with the help of YouTube videos, you can easily learn how to make beautiful and unique candles out of beeswax. Have some fun choosing your colors, creating shapes with molds, combining different waxes and decorating with herbs and flowers. Get creative and make delightful Beeswax candles which harness the power of natural illumination.
Welcome to my candle making blog! In this blog, I will be sharing my tips and tricks for making candles. I will also be sharing some of my favorite recipes.
