Candle in a Jar

I make most of the candles we burn in our home using either soy wax or 100% beeswax.  Both of these are natural products that do not contain any colourants or scents.  There are two reasons I like using these waxes for candle making.  First the are natural waxes not petroleum based wax like paraffin wax is.  Second unlike paraffin wax both soy wax and beeswax burn clean.  Beeswax has additional properties as well.  It has a mild honey scent that smells lovely but burning beeswax candles is said to actually clean the air.   Burning beeswax candles is also said to have health benefits such as reducing the severity of or even eliminating sinus attacks.

Candles in a Jar have become quite popular.  The problem with most purchased candles in jars is they are heavily scented.  The scent can cause problems for those with allergies, asthma and other respiratory problems.  At the same time what many don't realize is these scents pollute indoor air.  They are often heavily dyed another source of indoor air pollution.  Finally purchased candles in jars tend to be over priced going for as high as $10 per candle.  Both beeswax and soy wax can be used to make candles in jars.

Pictured is one of the beeswax candles in a jar I made.  I used a fancier, squatty 250 ml (half-pint) mason jelly jar and decorative two-piece lid.  The jelly jars with decorative lids can be bought in a 4 - pk or you can buy a 12-pk of regular mason jars with plain either gold or silver tone lids.  Traditionally the two-piece lids have been gold tone but recently Bernardin has moved to silver tone lids.  The decorative lids can be bought separately as well but the regular lids that come with the jars can be used.  Both jars and lids can be found in the canning section of any store that sells canning supplies.  There are larger canning jars but the best size for candles in jars is the 250 ml size.

Materials

1 mason* jar per candle
1 two-piece lid
1¼ c melted wax per candle
1 3-inch wick holder/wick per candle
sauce pan
metal can for melting the wax

Place jars in oven then set oven to 80ºC (175ºF) to warm this.  This will prevent breakage when pouring the hot wax into the jars.  Cover your work surface with newspaper to protect from wax drips.  Place wax in metal can.  Pour enough water in the sauce pan to come half way up the outside of the can.  Bring the water to a boil then reduce heat to a simmer while moving the metal can to allow the wax to melt on the inside.  Add more wax if desired.  Once the wax is melted place one wick with holder into a warm jar.  Carefully pour the hot wax into the jar.  Centre the wick.  As the wax cools it will shrink and the area around the wick will sink down (concave).  Top up the candle with more hot wax while the candle is still warm.  Set aside to cool.  Once cooled, place the two-piece lid on the jar.  The candle is now ready for storage, gift giving and using.

Pictured is a beeswax candle in the jar ready for burning.  Before burning the candle the two piece lid should be removed. Trim the wick to ¼- inch before lighting the candle.  Place the ring of the two-piece lid back on the candle jar.  Place the candle on the lid portion.  Light the candle.

When burning use all safety precautions such as keeping away from out of reach of children and pets as well as away from combustible materials like curtains.  Never leave the candle burning unattended.  Do not let the candle burn down to lower than ¼ - inch from the bottom of the candle as this can cause the jar to overheat and break as well as cause scotching of furniture.  The remaining candle wax can be removed from the jar then the washed jar can be re-used for another candle.

Garden Gnome
©2006-2010

Rolled Beeswax Votives

Pure beeswax candles are simply lovely! I make a lot of beeswax candles in many forms but the rolled beeswax candles always get a lot of attention. They are perfect for gift giving or daily use. I have beeswax candles in some form in every room of our home.

Pure beeswax has a higher melting point making it ideal for candlemaking. Rolled beeswax votives are the perfect size for gift baskets. They are easy to make and inexpensive. I prefer to use natural pure beeswax sheets purchased from a local beekeeper in 25 lb cartons. The beeswax sheets I use measure 8" x 16 3/4" and have a honeycomb pattern. Unlike the coloured beeswax sheets found in many craft stores, these sheets have a mild and pleasant natural honey smell. When burning, the flame is a pale amber that fills the room with a natural aroma. The flame is said to have air purifying qualities as well.

The choice of wick is very important. Use a 100% square braided cotton that has four distinct sides. The flattest side shows a pronounced "V" or herringbone design. Place the "V" side down on the sheet of wax for proper placement. This will ensure the wick will burn in the hottest part of the flame. If not properly placed, the wick will extend beyond the flame causing a carbon ball to develop at the tip. If smoking or dripping occurs the candle was not rolled tight enough or is being burned in a draft.

Once you have mastered the technique of rolling votives, you will be able to move to more advanced candles like joined standards or tapers. For a fiesta look, brush candles lightly with mica.

Materials
1 sheet pure beeswax per 2 votives
length of 100% square braided cotton wick
sharp knife
ruler
scissors
hair dryer
cutting board

Instructions
1. Lay beeswax sheet with short end towards you on cutting board.
2. Using a ruler, mark at 2" intervals on each short end.
3. Lay the ruler to join the first marks on each short end. Press firmly and use sharp knife to cut the first 2" strip from the sheet. Repeat until all 4 strips are cut.
4. Lay a strip on the cutting board, short end towards you.
5. Place wick along short end of strip along edge, "V" side down.
6. Very carefully heat wax with hair dryer and press wick into wax. Do not overheat wax!
7. Begin firmly rolling, heating wax as needed.
8. When you reach the end of the first strip, warm about 2" of the second strip and butt this strip to the end of the first. Continue warming and rolling until you reach the end of the second strip.
9. Lightly warm the final edge of the second strip and using your thumb, press to secure.
10. Lightly warm the bottom of the candle and push with light pressure from the top of the candle to smooth the bottom.
11. Trim wick.

You now have made your first rolled beeswax votive candle.
Caution: Never leave lit candles unattended.

Enjoy,

Garden Gnome
© 2006