DIY Natural Candles: Crafting with Beeswax and Herbs
Have you been longing to create your own natural, fragrant candles for your home or as thoughtful gifts? Look no further than the bountiful resources right here on our very own Crooked Pines Farm! In this guide, we’ll walk you through the simple steps to craft beautiful, long-lasting beeswax candles infused with soothing herbs and essential oils.
Beeswax as a Candle-Making Medium
Beeswax is a fantastic natural material for candle making. This renewable, biodegradable wax from honeybees offers a number of desirable properties. Beeswax burns cleanly with a warm, honey-like scent, and it has a higher melting point than many other waxes, allowing the candle to hold its shape beautifully. Unlike paraffin-based candles, beeswax candles release negative ions as they burn, helping to purify the air in your home.
To create our beeswax candles, we source our high-quality beeswax directly from beekeepers right here in our community. This ensures we get the freshest, most ethically-produced wax possible. When shopping for beeswax, look for a golden or amber hue – this indicates the wax is pure and unrefined. Avoid beeswax that appears bleached or overly processed, as it may have lost some of its beneficial properties.
Herbal Additions for Candles
In addition to the natural goodness of beeswax, we love to infuse our candles with fragrant herbs and essential oils. Dried flowers, leaves, and stems can lend a beautiful visual element, filling the jars with colorful botanicals. But herbs also offer therapeutic benefits when incorporated into candle wax.
Some of our favorite fragrant herbs to use include lavender, rosemary, lemongrass, and peppermint. These provide calming, uplifting scents that fill the air as the candles burn. We also enjoy experimenting with more medicinal herbs like sage, chamomile, and eucalyptus for their cleansing and respiratory-supporting properties.
To enhance the herbal essence, we blend in high-quality essential oils alongside the dried botanicals. Just a small amount of these concentrated plant extracts can dramatically boost the aromatherapy experience. We find that a harmonious blend of several complementary oils, like lavender and bergamot or peppermint and eucalyptus, creates the most captivating scent profiles.
Candle Molding Techniques
When it comes to shaping our beeswax candles, we employ a few different techniques. For simple, elegant pillars, we simply pour the melted wax into glass jars or tins, adding the wick and any desired herbs or flowers. The wax will harden into a smooth, sturdy form.
To create candles with more visual interest, we love to experiment with layered or swirled designs. By alternating pours of different colored waxes or sprinkling in dried botanicals between layers, we can achieve mesmerizing patterns. And for a truly unique touch, we may embed whole herbs, flowers, or even small seashells directly into the wax.
Properly positioning and trimming the wicks is also essential for ensuring our candles burn evenly and safely. We always use cotton or paper-cored wicks, which are lead-free and sustainable. Centering the wick and leaving just 1/4-inch exposed above the wax helps the candle light cleanly.
Decorative Candle Designs
While functionality is our top priority, we also love to get creative with the aesthetic appeal of our homemade candles. Varying the container shapes, sizes, and colors can dramatically change the overall look. We’ve crafted round pillar candles, square votives, and even unique free-form shapes by molding the wax.
Layered or swirled patterns made with vibrant botanical accents like rose petals, lavender sprigs, or citrus peels add a stunning, nature-inspired touch. And for the holidays, we might incorporate festive elements like cinnamon sticks, dried orange slices, or evergreen clippings.
Sustainability in Candle Crafting
At Crooked Pines Farm, we’re committed to sustainable and ethical practices in all aspects of our work – and candle making is no exception. We carefully select our beeswax and other ingredients to ensure they’re sourced responsibly, without harming the environment or exploiting any laborers.
Our candles are packaged minimally, using recycled or recyclable materials like kraft paper or twine. And when the candles have burned down, we encourage our customers to repurpose the jars or tins for storage, display, or even planting small succulents.
Any remaining wax can be melted down and remolded into new candles or combined with skin-nourishing oils to create soothing balms and salves. This zero-waste approach helps us honor the full life cycle of our handcrafted products.
Safety Considerations
Of course, when working with hot wax and open flames, safety must always be the top priority. We recommend burning candles only on heat-safe surfaces, keeping them away from flammable materials, and never leaving them unattended. Trimming wicks to 1/4 inch before each lighting helps prevent sooting or uneven burning.
It’s also important to be mindful of potential allergens or sensitivities in the ingredients. While beeswax and most essential oils are generally gentle, some individuals may react to certain botanical extracts. We always provide clear labeling to help our customers make informed choices.
Storage and Shelf Life
Proper storage is key to maintaining the quality and longevity of homemade beeswax candles. We recommend keeping them in a cool, dark place – ideally below 75°F. Exposure to direct sunlight or heat can cause the wax to discolor or become more brittle over time.
With proper care, our beeswax candles can typically last 6-12 months. However, the addition of essential oils and dried herbs may slightly reduce the shelf life, as these can become less potent over an extended period. We suggest using candles within 3-6 months for optimal fragrance and appearance.
Creating our own natural, fragrant candles has become a cherished tradition here at Crooked Pines Farm. We hope you’ll join us in this satisfying DIY craft, and enjoy the cozy, therapeutic ambiance these homemade beauties provide. Remember, every candle you make is a unique work of art, infused with the care and creativity of your own hands. Happy candle crafting!
