Making Beeswax Candles

A few years ago we began making cookies for Christmas. What began as a few batches to bring to holiday parties became many many batches and tins given to everyone we know. Last year we made the decision to move away from purchased gifts and to make gift baskets containing things we made throughout the year. This year we decided homemade candles would be a great addition to our holiday gift baskets.

During our search for candle making instructions we found these amazing old fashioned tapered candle molds.

After that we knew we wanted to make them from pure, local beeswax. My husband contacted an Apiary we visited over the summer, Johnston's Honey Bee Farm.

They very kindly gave us an amazing deal on 11lbs of beeswax! We also picked up some beautiful honey.

We got all set up an began making our candles.

While Matt set up the wicks I began melting the wax. Cool and slow makes smoother candles with less shrinkage.

Once all of the wax is melted and around 150-160F we poured into our molds.

We had melted enough for some votive candles as well.

They unmolded beautifully and we found that really enjoy making them.

If you are interested in making your own candles I highly recommend this video. Jas. Townsend & Son also sell lovely supplies.