How to Make Rolled Beeswax Candles

Scented wax candles are a quick and easy way to fill a home with warm, welcoming smells. Some people, however, cannot bear heavy, perfumed scents. There are other times when burning a perfumed scent in one room may compete with pleasurable smells in another, such as when the aroma of baked goods or a holiday dinner fill the home. For such instances, beeswax candles are an excellent alternative.

Beeswax is naturally scented by the bees that make it. Beeswax has a light, delightful scent of honey that is not overpowering, making it a wonderful middle-ground alternative for those who cannot tolerate perfumes and other scents. What’s more, beeswax is extremely easy to work with, and making simple candles from sheets of beeswax is a project even young children can participate in.

Beeswax for candle crafting is available in several forms. Beeswax is sold in blocks, much the same as paraffin waxes, beads and sheets. Beeswax is available in its natural, yellowy-brown color, bleached white, or in dyed sheets of any color.

Beads and blocks of beeswax can be melted down to make container or molded candles using the same basic candle making methods used for these projects. Beeswax can also be used as an additive to paraffin wax candles to give them the benefits of the beeswax scent and to extend burn time.

Rolled beeswax candles are very simply and safely made using sheets of beeswax. Shop for beeswax sheets where you buy candle making supplies, but as they are less widely offered than paraffin wax supplies, beeswax sheets may be easier to locate and be in a wider variety of colors online. Sheets of beeswax are usually priced starting just under two dollars per sheet (requiring approximately one sheet per candle, give or take, depending on the size of the candle made); by shopping around for sale products, sheets may be had for as little as 85 cents. Buying in quantities of ten or more may net a better price, as well. To make rolled beeswax candles, the only other supplies needed are wicks, scissors or a craft knife, ruler, and a hair dryer. Online retailers of candle supplies will list the wicks appropriate for beeswax projects; square-braided wick is usually recommended. Square braid is often sold in rolls that are not yet primed (at a cost starting around $1.75 for 10 yards). Priming is a simple process of dipping the cotton braid in melted wax and laying straight to dry on wax paper.

To make a simple rolled beeswax candle, follow these easy steps. First, prepare your work surface by laying down butcher or waxed paper, or a similarly unprinted material. Newspaper is not a good choice, as the print is likely to rub off on the project. Next, decide on the size of candle. There are really no rules to sizes, but generally speaking, leave the sheet whole for taper candles and cut strips three inches high for votives. For taller candles, simply cut the beeswax sheet at any height. Scissors can be used to cut the sheet, however, cutting with a razor or craft knife along the edge of a metal ruler will produce the cleanest and straightest line. To prepare the wick, cut a length of the primed wick ¾ of an inch longer than the desired candle height. (NOTE: a simple way to embellish a project is to use a wick a few inches longer than the candle and tie decorative beads or charms to the finished candle wick. Seasonal colors, holiday adornments or whimsical glass bee beads are all good options. In this case, cut the wick longer to accommodate.)

After all materials are cut, rolling is all that is left to do. Warm the wax with a hair dryer. Start on low and do not overheat, as the wax will become too pliable and will lose its shape (if wax does become to warm, simply let it cool for a minute). Place the wick along one end, overhanging the excess, and gently push the wick into the beeswax. Begin rolling the beeswax sheet. After one or two rolls, give the wick a gentle tug to be sure it is in place. Continue warming as needed, and roll to the end of the sheet. Keep in mind, tighter rolled candles will burn longer.

For thicker candles, roll a second section of beeswax onto the candle. Place the rolled candle on the next sheet with the seems together. Continue the process of warming and rolling as with the first sheet. Repeat until the desired candle thickness is achieved. When finished, gently press the end seem into the candle, being careful not to flatten the candle print too much.

Trim the beeswax candle wick to ¼ of an inch for burning, or string embellishments and secure with a knot. Also note that a harmless white, powdery residue often forms on beeswax candles after a time. This can be an elegant, almost rustic touch, but, if bothersome, is easily removed by warming with a hair dryer for a moment.

That is all there is to rolling beeswax candles from sheets of beeswax! Beeswax candles are a wonderful alternative to more heavily scented products, making them a useful compliment to a family dinner, or given as gifts for any number of occasions. The ease and safety of making rolled beeswax candles makes them a great project for children to make as gifts for teachers, grandparents and others, or just to craft sets to warm the home with a light, enjoyable, natural scent.