My Beeswax Candle Making Process
I started making beeswax candles for my personal mindfulness magic practice. I had been buying candles from thrift stores for years but I didn’t like the smoke that came off of them, plus they were petroleum byproducts. So, I bought some taper candle molds and made small batches of beeswax candles, scraping together the drippings I had kept over the years. The following summer I then got connected with a beeswax supplier at my local farmers market and the scale of production increased! I stopped using molds for taper candles and I started refining my own beeswax for the vats I began dipping candles in. All of this by the way, was taking place in my partners spare shed!
This is the first batch of 7” candles I made. I love the versatile size and the shorter appearance of these candles.
These candles are hanging in the aforementioned shed! Yes salvaged plywood surrounds me as I jam out to Jethro Tull, Fleet Foxes, The Beatles and the like. That is just a sampling of the loving creative musical energy that graces my ears as I create these candles.
How The Candles are Made
Just to give you an idea of the time involved in crafting these lovely candles, here are some of the steps I take to bring a standard taper candle to you.
Some small chime candles after a couple of dips in the beeswax bath
I begin heating up the wax super early in the morning (Around 4am!)
After a while I prep the candle dipping rack with wick tieing it tightly to ensure straight candles
Then once the beeswax is all melted I begin dipping the candles.
After every dip in the beeswax bath I dip the candles into a water bath so the beeswax will harden. This means for every layer of beeswas a taper candle has (generally about 22-30) There are two dips that happen! That’s about 60 dips per candle!
Once I feel the candles are a little smaller than their final width, I set them aside to cool for a bit before I cut them off their rack.
When the candles have cooled I cut them off their racks and I give them individual finish dips in the wax, to ensure each normal taper candle has the perfect width for the standard 7/8” candle holder. I do this to also make sure the candles do not drip too much.
Since the candles are now finished up, I put them on an old broom handle to fully set up! That is where I then pull them from for orders I receive in the shop!
Enter, You.
After the candles are made, the rest is all thanks to you folks. When you buy my candles I then have the job of packaging them to fulfill your orders!
I ensure that all my shipments are made with zero waste compostable materials so that you can feel ethical in your purchase. This takes longer than normal packaging since I often beautify and use second hand materials in this process. I really enjoy lovingly packaging orders to make sure they arrive to you safely and sustainably!
Now you have your candles and the rest is up to you!
I have shared my candle making process with you, and I would really love for you folks to share your candle burning processes with me! If you use them for a special meditation practice, a holiday dinner table, or just to set a calm mood in the evening I would love to hear about it! Please send your stories to elderberrysprout@protonmail.com! I would love to include you in our testimonials page!
If you have read this I truly thank you for caring about where your purchases come from. We need more caring folks like you in the world.
And so it is!
With love,
