Beeswax Candle Making

It is impossible for a square to roll like a ball, right? You have ever heard of the saying "where there is a will, there is a way?"

As you read this article you will discover that there is a way to make beeswax candles in a square rolled manner. You probably already know that rolled candles are one of the easiest candles to make. So why can't square rolled beeswax candles be easy to make? Follow me as we take beeswax candle making to a higher level.

First, I recommend that you purchase wax sheets rather than try to make them yourself. You will find three kinds of wax sheets:

• 1- Pure beeswax - burns clean, is the most expensive and most pliable so it is easy to work with;
• 2- Beeswax/paraffin blend - burns mostly clean, cost effective, somewhat pliable; and
• 3- Paraffin - does not burn clean, brittle, least expensive and difficult to keep warm while you work with it. TIP: use a blow dryer to warm the sheets or drop it in hot water for a minute.

For this "recipe" you will need seven sheets of beeswax (9" x 12" each) and a primed wick 10" long. You will also need a flat braided wick for beeswax. You will also need to melt 2 ounces of beeswax to finish the candle.

• 1- Use a sheet of cardboard or a mat for your candle making.
• 2- Warm the wax sheet with a blow dryer on the low setting, or dipping it in hot water, or laying it on a heating pad. Whatever you do, keep an eye on it!
• 3- Lay one of the warmed wax sheets flat on a smooth surface and fold the end 1/8" and gently press the wick into the edge of the sheet before you begin to roll. Make sure the wick is secure and roll the wax tightly.
• 4- Place another warmed beeswax sheet next to the edge of the one you just rolled and continue rolling tightly again. You have now made the core of the candle.
• 5- Using a metal ruler, press the core that you just made into a square shape. When you are satisfied with your shape, add a warmed third sheet of wax, folding the wax at each corner by using your ruler. You can actually score the inside edges at the corners before you press it on the previous sheet. Until you get the hang of it and get it squared, do not proceed because each sheet will be off further. You must have a square shape at all times.

  TIP: The key is using the ruler for shaping!

• 6- When you finish with the final sheet, just press the end to secure it to the candle so it does not unroll.
• 7- To finish your candle, you should hold the candle upside down over a cookie sheet and using a spoon, pour some or all of the two ounces of melted beeswax in the cracks between the layers. Also smooth some melted wax over the bottom of the candle to seal and flatten the bottom.

Congratulations! Now that you have mastered beeswax candle making you can pass it along to someone else.

R.A. Hackett is a candle making enthusiast and author. She lives in Cincinnati and spends her time teaching others the art of candle making. Her latest book, "Quick and Easy Candle Making" is available at http://www.ezcandlemaking.com/category/additional-articles