Instructions for Making Beeswax Candles

Rolled beeswax candles are fun and easy to create. Even kids can do it!

Beeswax Candle Supplies

To make rolled beeswax candles, you only need two items, beeswax sheets and wicks for beeswax candles. You can find beeswax for sale in sheets at craft stores or online. They come in two types

• Beeswax honeycomb sheets. These are embossed with a hexagonal, honeycomb pattern
• Smooth sheets

The honeycomb patterned wax is made of pure beeswax and is more expensive. The smooth is made of a combination of beeswax and paraffin.

You can buy colored beeswax. It comes in many different colors. Use at least one sheet per candle. You can purchase wicking in pre-cut wicks or spools of wicking that you cut at the desired length. We recommend using HTP wicks for rolled candles; however, the size of the wick will depend on how thick you make your candles.

How to Make Rolled Beeswax Candles

Step 1 – To make it easier to manipulate the wax, warm the sheets of beeswax with a hairdryer. Keep the hairdryer handy and use it if the wax begins to cool.

Step 2 – Cut a piece of wicking about an inch longer than you want the candle to be. Or if you are rolling the wax at an angle, we suggest keeping the wick attached to the spool and trimming it when you are finished. Place the wick along one edge of the wax sheet and make sure that the first roll around the wick is tight and even in order to firmly secure the wick and prevent it from falling out.

Step 3 – Rolled candles are the easiest candles to make and they tend to burn longer than other candles. Be sure to roll your candle tightly to prevent smoking and dripping. Keep the bottom and top edges even with each other as you roll.

Step 4 – Once you have reached the desired thickness of your candle, cut off excess wax with a craft knife.

Step 5 – To finish the candle, warm a metal tool such as a butter knife or trowel and run it along the seam to smooth it out and press it into place. Be careful, as you don’t want to lose the texture of the beeswax.

Step 6 – Heat an old pie pan in the oven or over boiling water. Clip the bottom wick flush with the candle. Run the bottom of the candle over the hot pan in order to smooth it out.

Step 7 - How to prime a wick for a beeswax candle - Clip the top wick ¼” from the top. Use the beeswax which is leftover in the pan to coat the top wick in wax. This will prime your wick.

Decorating Your Rolled Candle

• With a little imagination, you can spice up your candles.
• Try using several colors of wax and alternating them when rolling.
• Cut out shapes or letters in the wax and adhere them to the side of the candle.
• Warm a metal stamp and stamp letters or shapes onto the side.
• Make beeswax tapers by cutting a right triangle out of a sheet of wax. Roll the triangle just as you would roll a square sheet, along one of the edge. The finished candle will get thinner towards the top as one edge spirals around the outside.
• Square your candles by pressing each side against the table or countertop until all four sides are even.

Get more candle information from the National Candle Association.