At Crooked Pines Farm, we take great pride in the abundance of natural resources right here on our land. Our bees are a prime example – not only do they pollinate our organic crops, but they also provide us with an incredible gift: pure beeswax. This renewable, biodegradable resource is the foundation for our homemade candles and a variety of nourishing skin care products.
Beeswax Candle Making
As farmers, we have a deep appreciation for the hard work our buzzing friends put into creating their honeycomb. When it’s time to harvest the honey, we carefully extract the wax cappings left behind. This pure beeswax has a beautiful golden hue and a warm, inviting aroma that instantly transports you to a flower-filled meadow.
Beeswax Sourcing
Our beeswax comes directly from our on-site hives, as well as trusted local beekeepers we’ve partnered with. We never use synthetic waxes or additives – just the real thing, straight from nature. This ensures our candles and skin care items are free of harsh chemicals and perfectly suited for sensitive skin.
Candle Production Techniques
Making beeswax candles at home is surprisingly simple. We start by gently melting the wax in a double boiler or slow cooker, being careful not to overheat it. Once the wax is fully liquefied, we carefully pour it into our choice of candle molds, which can range from rustic Mason jars to elegant glass votives.
Candle Mold Varieties
The options for candle molds are endless – we love to get creative with repurposed glassware, ceramics, and even carved wooden shapes. Before pouring the wax, we secure a cotton or hemp wick in the center of the mold, ensuring an even, clean burn. As the candles cool, the wax shrinks slightly, creating a beautifully textured surface.
Once fully hardened, we trim the wicks to the perfect height and admire our handiwork. The natural honey scent of our beeswax candles fills the air, creating a warm, inviting ambiance in any room. And the best part? These candles burn brighter and longer than their paraffin-based counterparts.
Natural Skin Care
In addition to our beloved candles, we also use our farm-fresh beeswax to craft a variety of nourishing skin care products. Beeswax is highly revered for its moisturizing and protective properties, making it an ideal ingredient for face creams, lip balms, and soothing salves.
Beeswax-based Formulations
We start by gently melting the beeswax and blending it with a variety of organic carrier oils, such as sweet almond, jojoba, and coconut. This creates a rich, creamy base that seals in moisture without clogging pores. We then infuse our formulations with beneficial herbs and botanicals grown right here on the farm.
Herbal Infusions and Extracts
Our herbal infusions and botanical extracts are made by steeping plant materials in our pure beeswax or carrier oils. This allows the beneficial compounds to be fully absorbed, resulting in skin care products with enhanced therapeutic properties. Some of our favorite infusions include chamomile, calendula, and lavender.
Organic Carrier Oils
We choose our carrier oils with great care, selecting only the finest, cold-pressed and unrefined varieties. This ensures we preserve the natural vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that nourish the skin. Oils like rosehip seed, sea buckthorn, and argan are staples in our skin care line.
Homemade Skincare Products
Using our farm-sourced beeswax and botanical ingredients, we create a wide range of homemade skin care products, each one formulated to address specific skin care needs.
Face Creams and Lotions
Our luxurious face creams and daily moisturizers blend beeswax with nourishing oils and extracts to hydrate, protect, and revitalize the skin. We’ve found that the natural vitamin A in beeswax helps promote cell turnover, leaving complexions brighter and more radiant.
Lip Balms and Salves
For soft, supple lips, nothing beats our homemade lip balms and skin-soothing salves. We infuse the beeswax with soothing herbs like peppermint and calendula, as well as rich oils like shea and cocoa butter. These balms create a protective, breathable barrier to lock in moisture and prevent chapping.
Bath and Body Products
Beeswax also makes a wonderful addition to our bath bombs, body butters, and sugar scrubs. Its emollient properties help seal in hydration, while the natural honey scent creates a truly pampering experience. We love mixing beeswax with luxurious ingredients like raw honey, oatmeal, and essential oils for a truly indulgent self-care routine.
Sustainability and the Farm
At Crooked Pines Farm, sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. Our backyard beekeeping operation is a prime example – by caring for our buzzing pollinators, we not only enjoy the sweet rewards of their labor but also play a vital role in maintaining the health of our ecosystem.
Backyard Beekeeping
We take great pride in our well-tended beehives, which are home to thousands of hardworking honeybees. By providing them with a safe, pesticide-free environment and allowing them to thrive naturally, we ensure a plentiful supply of pure beeswax for our candles and skin care products.
Organic Farming Practices
In addition to our bee colonies, we employ a range of organic farming practices across our entire property. From companion planting to natural pest control, we strive to work in harmony with nature, minimizing our environmental impact and delivering the highest quality ingredients to our customers.
Ethical Sourcing
For any ingredients we can’t source directly from our farm, we turn to a network of trusted local producers who share our commitment to sustainable, ethical sourcing. This allows us to offer a comprehensive line of natural skin care products that are not only good for your skin, but also for the planet.
Whether you’re seeking the warm glow of a handcrafted beeswax candle or the nourishing benefits of our farm-fresh skin care, we invite you to explore the bounty of Crooked Pines Farm. Our homemade offerings are a true testament to the abundance that can be found when we work in harmony with nature.
