How to Make Stacked Beeswax Candles

Products made from beeswax are a preferable scent alternative for many people dealing with an intolerance to heavily perfumed fragrances. A natural product made by bees, beeswax has a light, natural scent of honey, enjoyable to many who otherwise cannot use scented candles.

Beeswax is available in several forms. Among the easiest for crafting are beeswax sheets. Sheets of beeswax, imprinted with the appropriate honeycomb design, are available in a wide variety of colors. Prices start just under two dollars per sheet. For a very general rule of thumb, plan on one sheet per candle (although smaller candles will use less). Still economical, but better prices can be had by shopping sales or ordering in quantities of ten, twenty or more. Shopping online may be the easiest way to locate sheets of beeswax, and in the widest array of colors.

A safe and simple project to make with beeswax sheets are stacked candles. All that is needed is sheets of beeswax, cookie cutters, wicks, a hair dryer and a skewer, awl or thin nail.

Wicks are available where candle craft supplies are sold (or through online retailers). Store personnel and websites should be able to suggest an appropriate wick. Square-braided wick is usually recommended for beeswax projects. Wicks are sold in precut and tabbed packages of 50 or more, or in rolls of 10 yards or more (starting around two dollars). For stacked candles, pretabbed wicks are easiest. (If pretabbed wicks are not available, leave about ¼ inch of wick under the bottom, fold under and gently press into the bottom of the candle.)

Protect the work surface with butcher or waxed paper. Newspaper is not a good choice as the print may rub off onto the beeswax.

Using cookie cutters, cut out several of the same shape. If the beeswax is difficult to cut without cracking, gently heat the wax on low with the hair dryer. Be careful not to overheat as the wax will lose its shape when handled. If this happens, simply let the beeswax sheet cool or a few minutes. Cut as many as is necessary to make the candle the desired height.

With the awl (or skewer, nail, anything to make a hole slightly larger than the wick) make a hole for the wick in the center of the cutout.

All that is left is to assemble the candle. One by one, stack the cutouts onto the wick until the desired height is reached.

To add interest, make sets of candles in coordinating motifs. Alternatively, candles can be made using two different shapes, such as alternating leaves and pine cones for Fall and Thanksgiving, or stars and wreathes at Christmastime. Add interest by alternating two or more colors and by creating layers of color stacking four or five green, then red and so on. The possibilities are endless, so experiment and have fun!

Note that a harmless white, powdery residue often forms on beeswax candles after a time. This can add interest and an elegant, almost rustic touch, but, if bothersome, is easily removed by warming with a hair dryer for a moment.

With beeswax sheets, creating attractive stacked candles is a snap, and the ease of crafting candles from beeswax makes working with beeswax a safe project to do when children are involved. For those unable to be around perfumes and strong smelling candles, beeswax is much more easily tolerated. The light, natural scent of beeswax candles is the perfect alternative for someone looking to add scent to the home without burning a candle with a heavy fragrance.