## Colonial Demonstration Candle Making
In colonial America, candlemaking was a necessity as many homes lacked electricity. While candlemaking wasn’t particularly easy, colonists created an impressive variety of candles from beeswax and tallow. Candlemaking demonstrations make it possible to learn firsthand what a typical colonial candlemaker went through to make their products.
### History of Candlemaking
The ancient Greeks are thought to be the first people to create candles, using rushes dipped in melted tallow. In the first century B.C., the Romans used candles to tell time and would mark the hours by the number of candles that had burned. Candlemaking began to take off in Europe in the twelfth century, with beeswax becoming the preferred material.
### Materials
The materials used to make colonial candles vary, but typically included beeswax and tallow. Beeswax is made by honeybees and is softer than tallow, making it easier to shape and mold. Tallow, on the other hand, is a harder waxy substance made from the fat of sheep and cows.
### Making a Traditional Colonial Candle
During a colonial candlemaking demonstration, you will learn all of the steps needed to make a traditional candle.
**Step 1**: Prepare the Wicks
The first step is to prepare the wicks. This is often done by tying the wicks to a stick with string.
**Step 2**: Heat the Wax
The wax that is being used is then melted in a special pot. If using beeswax, it should be melted in an enamel pot over low heat. If using tallow, it should be melted in an iron pot over moderate heat.
**Step 3**: Dip the Wick
Once the wax has melted, the prepared wick is dipped in it repeatedly until the wax reaches the desired thickness.
**Step 4**: Allow the Candle to Dry
After the wick has been dipped, it’s left to dry. During this time, the wax hardens, resulting in a candle with a sturdy base.
### Enjoying Your Candle
After your candle has finished cooling, you can light it and enjoy just as early colonial candlemakers did. Keep in mind that many candles during the colonial era did not have scents, so enjoy the light and atmosphere that non-scented candles offer. ### Introduction to Colonial Candle Making
Candle making is a craft that has been around for centuries and was a popular Colonial American pastime. Colonial candle makers would make candles from the wax of beehives and animal fats and tallow from livestock. This produced a tallow candle that burned slowly and produced a smoky, smelly flame.
Colonial demonstration candle making is an activity where people can learn how candle-makers of the Colonial period practiced their craft. The activity brings to life the practical and inventive methods used by these early artisans and offers a unique glimpse into the daily life of a past era.
### How to Make a Colonial Demonstration Candle
Making colonial-style demonstration candles is not only educational and fun, it’s surprisingly easy. All you need are a few simple materials, which can be easily obtained, and you can have your own antique-style candle within minutes.
#### Materials
To make this type of candle, you will need:
* Candle wax
* Wicking material (cotton string)
* A mold or cup for the candle
* An old pan for melting the wax
* A heat source
#### Process
1. Cut the wick to the desired length and tie one end of the wick to an old pencil so that the wick is not submerged in the melted wax.
2. Place the candle wax in the old pan and melt on a low heat.
3. Place the wick into the candle cup or mold.
4. Fill the cup with the melted candle wax, leaving a small space at the top.
5. Allow the wax to cool and harden for about 10 minutes.
6. Trim away any excess wick and remove the candle from the mold.
The newly-made colonial demonstration candle is now ready for use. Enjoy the rustic charm of this Colonial craft!
### Admire the Work of Artisans Everywhere
Colonial demonstration candle making is a wonderful way to learn about early American candle makers, who relied on simple materials to craft artful alternatives to electric lighting.
By taking the time to appreciate the skills and craftsmanship that went into these handcrafted works of art, we can gain an appreciation of the hard work and ingenuity of our ancestors. In doing so, we can come to understand the wonderful world of colonial candle making and the artisans who gave us the gift of light.
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.
