Beeswax is one of the more traditional types of candle wax but has always been a more expensive option than many other types of candle wax. It tends not to be used as often as other waxes for craft candle making at home but some candle makers are undoubtedly dedicated fans of making candles from this wonderful natural substance. Beginners may be initially put off using beeswax due to their lack of knowledge and experience, but some of the simplest candles can be made from beeswax.
Beeswax is an amazing natural compound which does not deteriorate over time, which never mildews and has been found in ancient shipwrecks unchanged despite the passage of time. Beeswax is derived from honeybees as part of the honey making process and is created by the worker bees of the hive which have special glands on the undersides of their bodies that convert the honey that they eat into tiny flakes of wax. As the bees build the honey comb cells, they are sealed off with the help of this wax and when the honey is harvested, it is the sealing cap which is cut off and then collected for the manufacture of beeswax.
Beeswax is generally found in the shops in different grades, depending on the amount of filtering or processing that it has undergone. The yellow variety of beeswax is the crude type that is taken directly from the honeycombs and this may be filtered to varying degrees. The white beeswax and the beeswax absolute are more refined in nature, the white variety being bleached by the action of air, sunlight and moisture and the absolute variety being obtained by treating the yellow beeswax with alcohol.
Beeswax has a naturally sweet scent and you will find that candles made with the less processed grades of beeswax retain this attractive natural fragrance. Many beeswax candles are not made with artificial fragrance for this very reason.
Beeswax candles, being a natural substance, are extremely clean burning and release little smoke. They therefore appeal to candle lovers who suffer from asthma and respiratory problems. Many advocates of the benefits of beeswax candles even believe that beeswax releases negative ions when it is burned, cleansing the air like an ionic cleanser.
Although making candles from melted beeswax may not be for the novice candle maker, there is an easy way of making candles from beeswax that anyone could do. Making rolled beeswax candles is the simplest and fastest way to create any sort of candle - this in itself is a good reason to make beeswax candles. There's no melting or dipping required, so this is a quick craft project which you can even do with your kids.
You'll need a sheet of beeswax and a length of wick that's two inches longer than the beeswax sheet. Simply lay the wick horizontally along one edge of the sheet, press it into the wax using the heat from your hands to make it stick, and then carefully roll the wick up in the sheet. When you get to the end of the sheet use the heat from your hands again to soften the end edge of the beeswax sheet before pressing it into the side of the candle. Cut the wick from one end of your candle as this will be the base, and trim the other end to around quarter of an inch. And there you have your beeswax candle!
