How to Make Beeswax Candles
Making beeswax candles can be a fun, easy project to get started making candles. They’re attractive, useful and all natural. And, you can experiment with different colors, sizes and designs!
What’s the Buzz about Beeswax Candle Sheets?
Whether you’re a large manufacturer or a home hobbyist, it’s fun to sit down with kids, friends, family, or coworkers to roll and burn candles made with 100% natural beeswax. It’s a great way to enjoy each other’s company or to make candles you can sell for fundraisers or for profit. Beeswax candle sheets come in many colors and sizes.
Typically, a square braid wick is used for rolling beeswax, and the type of wick depends on the size of the finished candle. We recommend you get a roll of a small, a medium, and a large wick to start (4/0, 1/0, and #2).
Not sure which color beeswax sheets to try? Purchase a beeswax sheet sampler pack of mixed colors and get a free book! You don’t get to choose the colors included, but it is usually a good sampling of many colors.
Video: How to Make Beeswax Sheet Candles
Supplies Needed:
- Large cutting board (or another surface on which you can cut)
- Straight-edge ruler
- Blow dryer
- 8” x 16” beeswax sheet
- Square braid wick
- Candlesticks (to measure and later hold your tapered candles)
- Craft knife
To make your beeswax candle, begin with an 8” x 16” beeswax sheet. Cut the sheet in half lengthwise so that you’ll end up with two, 4” tapered candles. Use a blow dryer to heat the end of your wax. Insert a 5” piece of wick into the warm wax at the edge of your candle, leaving 1” of wick beyond the wax. Heat the remainder of the half sheet to soften the beeswax, then roll your candle, using your candlestick to measure the correct fit. Once your candle has achieved the correct diameter, cut off any excess wax and trim your wick. Below, see our step-by-step process or watch our video!
Step-by Step Process for How to Make a Beeswax Candle
Step 1: Begin with an 8” x 16” sheet of beeswax.
Step 2: Using your straight edge and craft knife, cut the sheet in half lengthwise. You can also fold the sheet in half and cut it, but using a straight edge will make your cut more accurate. Set aside one of the halves, as each beeswax sheet will make two candles.
Step 3: Cut a 5” piece of wick material.
Step 4: Use a blow dryer to warm just one end of the beeswax sheet.
Step 5: Place the wick material at the warm end of the sheet, leaving an inch of wick beyond the edge. Carefully wrap the end of the beeswax sheet around the wick.
Step 7: Warm the rest of the beeswax sheet with your blow dryer. This will make rolling your candle easier.
Step 8: Begin tightly rolling the beeswax. Try to keep the bottom end as straight as possible. Using your candlestick, test the fit of your candle in the candlestick as you roll, making any needed corrections along the way. Once your candle has achieved the proper diameter, cut off any excess wax.
Step 9: Using your fingers, gently soften the end seam into the candle.
Step 10: Again, test the fit.
Step 11: Trim your wick to approximately ¼ inch above the wax.
Make Regular Beeswax Candles without Sheets
Want to make 100% Natural Candles without the look and feel of Beeswax sheets? Candlewic carries Beeswax that is filtered then packed into white or yellow blocks that can be melted and poured into your favorite containers and molds. Beeswax is secreted by worker bees and is found on all continents of the globe. Did you know the largest single use of beeswax is in the production of church candles? Beeswax has very little shrinkage and will help to increase burn time. Beeswax can be used 5-20% as an effective wax modifier with paraffins and 100% soy waxes.
what size wick tabs should i use with #4 square braid wick material ? thank you and happy new year to all.
Could try the 20 x 3 mm although tight fit.
If I add beeswax to a sox wax, is it possible to still get the strong classic honey scent? What proportions would be needed to retain the classic beeswax scent?
Will depend where the beeswax is coming from. Much of the wax developed for candle making may make it difficult to achieve that when adding soy wax
Hello,
I am about to start making church candles from beeswax. The candle dimensions are Diameter: 3/8″, What wick size do I need to use?
Would recommend testing the 6/0.
What size square braided wick should I use for a jar with 3 diameters?
I am making candles out of beeswax. They are 1/2″ x 18″. What would be the recommended wick? Thank you.
Evan,
We would recommend our square braided wicks, 6/0.
Candlewic