DIY Network

Handmade Beeswax Candles From "DIY Crafts" episode DIC-147

advertisement

Candles made from beeswax fill a room with a sweet, natural aroma. Figure A Figure B Figure C Figure D Figure E Figure F Figure G Figure H Figure I

Beeswax candles have an attractive rustic look and a wonderful scent. Craft expert Kathi Cardinalli shows how to hand-mold beeswax into mushroom candles.

Materials:

Block of beeswax
Kitchen knife
Saucepan
Water
Empty tin can
Kitchen tongs
Mixing bowls (one large, one small)
Waxed paper
Ice cubes
Wicking cord
Large yarn needle
Two tall drinking glasses
Masking tape
Wooden spoon
Clothespins

1. Cut slices from the block of beeswax with a kitchen knife, and chop them into smaller pieces so the wax will melt more readily (figure A).
   

2. Fill a small saucepan one-third full of water. Place a tin can in the saucepan, and put chunks of beeswax into the can. Place the saucepan on the stove and bring the water to a simmer (figure B).
   

3. Using kitchen tongs, remove the can from the saucepan (figure C).
   

4. Line a small mixing bowl with waxed paper. Place the small bowl inside a larger bowl. Pour 1/3 cup of melted beeswax into the waxed-paper-lined small bowl. Pour cold water into the large bowl. Add some ice cubes to the cold water to speed the cooling of the beeswax (figure D).
   

5. When the wax is cool, remove it from the mixing bowl, and peel away the waxed paper. Pull small pieces away from the large chunk, and start molding it by working it in your hands. The heat from your hands will make the wax pliable. (figure E).
   

6. Shape a mushroom from the wax by rolling a cylinder, then holding the cylinder in your hand and flattening the top with the palm of your other hand (figure F ).
   

7. Thread a large yarn needle with candle wicking, pierce the top of the wax mushroom with the needle, and push it down through the center of the wax. Leave an ample amount of wicking on the top and bottom (figure G).
   

8. Turn two tall drinking glasses upside down, and tape a wooden spoon to the bottoms of the glasses to make a hanging rack for the candle. Drape the top end of the wicking over the wooden spoon, and secure it with a clothespin, letting the mushroom candle hang to cool and harden (figure H).
   

9. For a smoother finish on the candle, hold the top of the wick, and dip the candle into the hot wax in the tin can (figure I). Wait 30 seconds between dips, and dip as often as you like for the desired finish.
   

10. Trim the wick on the top to the desired length. Trim the wick on the bottom even with the bottom of the candle.