Here is a little project my friend Emily taught me how to do a few years ago. Beeswax candles are so great to have around during the holidays. The smell is subtle and amazing and each candle burns for a little over an hour. It’s perfect for when you are doing a small Christmas-y activity and just want a little atmosphere. These beeswax candles are so easy to make (even kids can do it) and make wonderful little gifts to give to friends and neighbors. This has become a tradition in our house. We’ve kept the extra sheets from year to year and make a new batch every year.
Materials Needed: Beeswax Sheets in Natural, Wick, Scissors, Little Muslin Bags
Step 1: For the size of candle pictured here you can get 16 candles out of each sheet. Step one is to fold and cut the sheet into 16 pieces.
Step 2: The wick has a top and a bottom so cut a piece of wick but pay attention and leave the top of the wick hanging out the top about an inch.
Step 3: Start with the wick at the edge and begin rolling up the beeswax. At the end gently push the seam into the candle to seal.
Step 4: The wax is a little sticky so you can use a glass bowl or cup as a candle holder by pushing the candle into the dish and making in stick in place.
All photography by Heather Zweig for Oh Happy Day
Art Directed by Jordan Ferney
Crafting by Stacy Wichelhaus
Anisa
December 3, 2012
oooh what a neat trick, love this!
Leah // Freutcake
December 3, 2012
How simple is that! Thanks for the link to purchase the beeswax sheets…I never knew they came like that. 🙂
Maria
December 3, 2012
Your blog is AMAZING! I am an art student and you never stop giving me inspiration when my tank’s running low !! Every time I’m on here I’m like “oh happy day, she’s done it again!”
Chloe Moon
December 3, 2012
Oh wow, how easy this looks and AMAZING!! I gotta try this out!! =)
Ergo – Blog
Gina
December 3, 2012
I love Maria’s comment that “she’s done it again”, you have a great blog. Although, I love traditional candle dipping methods as well- although I have not done it for awhile. Cute project…
Seriously Sassy Mama
December 3, 2012
What a great idea!
monkat
December 3, 2012
You can prolong the burn time of your candles if you pinch the bottom of the candle closed. This keeps air from getting in between the rolled sheet of wax, which makes the candle burn faster. No need to pinch the top, as the heat melts that end shut as it burns.
Yelle
December 3, 2012
I absolutely love the texture on these!
little kitchie
December 3, 2012
how pretty! so simple too!
Igor
December 3, 2012
Great & simple DIY. Love the look of the candles.
Debbie
December 3, 2012
I used to make these with my mum.
Another trick – if you soak the wick in essential oil you will get a fragrant aromatherapy candle.
Sarah
December 3, 2012
awesome little project, i want to do this – my mind os kind of blown by all the colors available! i’ve only ever seen “natural” beeswax, i had no idea! i am a color addict but rainbow colors seem kind of wrong for these.
Gina
December 3, 2012
Thank you so much for this tutorial. I’ve been wanting to try this for some time!
Amy
December 3, 2012
very cool. just wondering…is there a good source that doesn’t require a minimum order? I want to try it out first:)
Megan
December 3, 2012
Amazing DIY and I love the texture.
I had no idea beeswax sheets existed. Wondering if they’re available offline anywhere too…
pattern society
December 3, 2012
✚ eek I have that same outfit! ✚
Sara @ LiteraryLima
December 3, 2012
This looks so simple that I might actually try it! Is there any way to lightly scent them?
jmme
December 3, 2012
To Megan:
I know that the Joann fabric use to sell them. I am not sure if they still do but it wouldn’t hurt to look.
I like the idea of using essential oil to scent them.
This is a great project with lots of possibilities. Thanks!
deana
December 3, 2012
this is amazing! i agree this looks like a project i would actually finish because its so simple yet lovely. Great for gifts or just around the house 🙂
http://birdsandoxfords.blogspot.com/
Laura
December 4, 2012
Gorgeous! Always read this blog and am always inspired. Have made christmas candles too 0 which I similarly did a post on. These however are in jam jars, so a little different.
Laura x
http://www.coffeetoastandlondon.com
Josee
December 4, 2012
Cut your sheet of wax across from one corner to the other so you get 2 triangles. Place the wick on the taller side and roll! You’ll get a different shape of candle! You can take the whole sheet or re-cut it in 4 squares, then start the steps all over, giving different sizes… I made hundreds of those in my uncle & aunt’s honey shop when I was 10…good memories!
Kendra
December 4, 2012
Wow I haven’t made candles since grade school. It looks so fun though, I might have to go get some beeswax.
ajira
December 4, 2012
Love this project. My 3yo and I will make gifts for everyone this way! Good source for wicks? Not sure if they are anything more than string?
Teresa
December 4, 2012
What a wonderful idea! I try to find a homemade project each year for my daughter to make for teacher/neighbor/family gifts at Christmas and this is it! Past years have been peppermint hot cocoa in jelly jars, potato print grocery totes, and monogram initial glittered ornaments. This will be the best one yet. Thank you for posting and for providing the links to the resources. I get so much inspiration from your blog to live a beautiful, simple life.
Anestazia
December 4, 2012
This is such a great idea! I think it is an awesome springtime craft and I can’t wait to do it myself! 🙂
Anestazia
http://yourworkistodiscoveryourworld.blogspot.com/
http://www.pinterest.com/abrace04/
ashley rachelle
December 5, 2012
awww! love this! it brings back memories of making these during girls camp one summer. love the texture of the beeswax. can’t wait to make these again! xo
Erin @ Delightfully Southern
December 6, 2012
What a fun craft! And how simple, too! I always thought candlemaking would be a little trickier than this, but I am thrilled it’s not. Definitely going to make some of these soon!
Jacquiline Bonello
December 9, 2012
What a beautiful creation. I want to try this out.
Fluffy Oak
December 10, 2012
Sooo niiiiice .)
Anestazia
December 11, 2012
I just wanted to let you know that I loved this post so much that I decided to feature it on my blog! I’m typing up the post right now! Thanks for such great inspirations!!!
Anestazia @ Eccentric Delirium
http://yourworkistodiscoveryourworld.blogspot.com/
Michelle McKane
December 12, 2012
Pure. Genius.