Instructions for making rolled beeswax candles
Rolled Beeswax Candle Supplies
I recently ran a rolled candle making event at the Discworld Convention and I had a number of people asking me where they could buy more supplies. So, for those who attended (or anyone else who is interested), here’s a list of the supplies we used:
Rolled Beeswax Candle Burning Times
The length of time that a rolled beeswax candle burns depends upon a number of factors:
- The diameter of the finished candle (which is partially determined by the length of wax rolled)
- The height of the candle
- The wick used
- How tightly the candle has been rolled – the tighter the roll, the longer it will burn.
The burn times for hand-rolled candles are likely to vary but the following table should give you some idea of what to expect.
Rolled Beeswax Pillars
Makes two 4″ x 1″ pillar candles. Materials: A 13½” x 8″ sheet of beeswax 1¼” square-braided cotton wick Ruler Pizza wheel (to cut the wax)
Rolled Beeswax Cones
Makes two cones, or skeps — each 8″ tall by 1½” wide at the base. Materials: Two 13½” x 8″ sheets of beeswax 1½ square-braided cotton wick Ruler Pizza wheel (to cut the wax)
Rolled Beeswax Spirals
These candles look particularly effective when made using triangles in contrasting colours. One sheet of beeswax, or two part sheets of different colours, makes one 8″ high candle Materials: A 13½” x 8″ beeswax sheet. 2″ square-braided cotton wick Ruler Pizza wheel (to cut the wax)
Rolled Beeswax Spiral Tapers
One sheet of beeswax makes two of these delicate, 8″, candles. Materials: A 13½” x 8″ beeswax sheet 1¼” square-braided cotton wick Ruler Pizza wheel (to cut the wax)
Rolled Beeswax Tapers
One sheet of beeswax makes two of these 7″ taper candles. Materials: 13½” x 8″ beeswax sheet ¾” square-braided cotton wick Ruler Pizza wheel (to cut the wax)
Rolled Beeswax Candles: Introduction
Warm Your Wax
Beeswax sheets for rolling candles should be slightly pre-warmed. If the sheets are too cold, they will not roll evenly and may even crack or split. If the sheets are too warm, they will be too soft to roll evenly, the honeycomb pattern on the wax will get flattened and your fingers may leave marks in the finished candles. Ideally, store your beeswax sheets at room temperature and warm them slightly before use. Try using a hairdryer or placing them near a warm radiator for 5 or 10 minutes prior to use.
And Yet More Candles
Bought some new zinc-cored wick the other day as I’m fed up with having to soak wicks in melted beeswax before I can use it with beeswax tealights or votives. Seeing it on the site where I normally buy all of my beeswax and wick, I thought I’d found my holy grail and I ordered 5 metres of the appropriate size.
Candles and More Candles
Current mood: Happy 😀
I managed to make some candles today. The first batch I’ve made in ages (the candlemaking session I ran at the Discworld Con doesn’t count).
