A homemade birthday candle made from local beeswax is the perfect handmade touch for a loved ones birthday that screams from scratch and simple living. Today I am sharing how to make a DIY beeswax birthday candle.
We recently had a very exciting birthday and while we did not have an elaborate birthday party, we went all out with homemade candles, sourdough chocolate cake, homemade ice cream and a day filled with activities for Ila’s first birthday.
I am not usually ones to have large parties but we did a few things to make the day special. We had sourdough cinnamon rolls for a special birthday breakfast, then we went to town to get a special toy and a happy meal- yes, a happy meal. Then to the library and back home for a small family party with sourdough chocolate cake (complete with these DIY Beeswax Birthday Candles) and homemade ice cream.
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Can You Make Homemade Candles With Beeswax?
Yes, you can make any type of candle from beeswax. It is my favorite type of candle to have in my home because it can be sourced locally, handmade in my home and is natural/non-toxic. They are pretty simple to make and add the perfect handmade touch to your home.
I like to make beeswax candles in mason jars or other vessels that I find at thrift and antique shops. I also love to make tapered candles similar to this DIY beeswax birthday candle. Add essential oils to boost the scent or leave as is for a mild honey scent.
Are Beeswax Candles Safe?
Beeswax candles are safe as far as toxicity goes. It is a natural wax and I love that I can source it from local beekeepers.
My only warning is if you have little ones, you need to weigh out the risk of using it in birthday candles but this is the only issue with beeswax.
Should You Add Coconut Oil To Beeswax Candles?
When you use beeswax to make a traditional candle, you will want to add coconut oil. The coconut oil helps the candle to burn better and not tunnel. You do not have to, but it really does help with the way the candle burns.
However, no coconut oil is needed for a taper candle of any kind including these birthday candles.
DIY Beeswax Birthday Candle Tips
- Have your kitchen (or wherever you choose to make these) ready to go. Set out wax paper, have your wick ready and your hanging place ready.
- Be sure to have enough wax to fill a jar. You will likely not use it all, but it needs to be high enough in the jar to make your candle tall enough.
- Do not skip prepping the wick! It helps the candle burn better but is also the method used to get a straight candle since you do not use a weight.
DIY Beeswax Birthday Candle Materials
Beeswax– pellets melt faster and can be purchased online but you will likely find blocks locally. It takes longer to melt but is definitely possible and I like to use local beeswax more.
Wick– I purchased this.
DIY Beeswax Birthday Candle Tools
Skinny glass jars
Pot with water
Freezer paper
Wood skewer
How To Make A DIY Beeswax Birthday Candle
Start by adding your beeswax to a skinny and tall mason jar or glass container. Add the jar to simmering water on the stove to begin melting the beeswax. Stir occasionally.
While the beeswax melts, cut your wick(s) to size. I did 4 inch wicks with 1 inch in between (you will cut one long string for 2 candles). So my wick was 9 inches total.
Once the wax is melted completely, remove from the stove and submerge the entire wick into the wax. This primes the wick and is what helps the candle to turn out straight. It also helps it burn evenly.
After 30 seconds-1 minute, remove the wick from the wax. Give it a few seconds to cool and then pull on the ends to straighten the wick. This is really important to get a straight candle. Get the wick as straight as possible.
Place on wax paper and allow to cool and set for about 5-10 minutes. While it sets, put jar back into the simmering water on the stove. Be sure that there is enough wax in the jar to make a tall enough candle. I melted enough wax to go about 5 inches up the jar.
Once the wick has cooled and the wax is melted again, grab a glass of cold water and remove the wax from the stove.
Dip one end of the wick into the wax for a few seconds. I went about 3. 5 inches. It also helps to bend the wick in half so you can estimate how tall your candle will be. Immediately pull it out of the wax and submerge it into the cold water for a few seconds. Repeat on the other end of the wick. Continue this until your candle is as thick as you would like. I did mine 5-6 times, alternating candles each time I dipped them.
Once done, hang your candles to dry. I draped mine over a spatula held up by two jars.
You will likely have wax left over since it takes more to get the length of the candle. You could dump this while still hot onto wax paper and allow to cool in sheets for easier melting on another project. I let mine cool in the jar so that the next time I use it, I can just melt it in the same jar.
DIY Beeswax Birthday Candle
A homemade birthday candle made from local beeswax is the perfect handmade touch for a loved ones birthday that screams from scratch and simple living. Today I am sharing how to make a DIY beeswax birthday candle.
Materials
- Beeswax- pellets melt faster and can be purchased online but you will likely find blocks locally. It takes longer to melt but is definitely possible and I like to use local beeswax more.
- Wick- I purchased this.
Tools
- Skinny glass jars
- Pot with water
- Freezer paper
- Wood skewer
Instructions
Start by adding your beeswax to a skinny and tall mason jar or glass container. Add the jar to simmering water on the stove to begin melting the beeswax. Stir occasionally.
While the beeswax melts, cut your wick(s) to size. I did 4 inch wicks with 1 inch in between (you will cut one long string for 2 candles). So my wick was 9 inches total.
Once the wax is melted completely, remove from the stove and submerge the entire wick into the wax. This primes the wick and is what helps the candle to turn out straight. It also helps it burn evenly.
After 30 seconds-1 minute, remove the wick from the wax. Give it a few seconds to cool and then pull on the ends to straighten the wick. This is really important to get a straight candle. Get the wick as straight as possible.
Place on wax paper and allow to cool and set for about 5-10 minutes. While it sets, put jar back into the simmering water on the stove. Be sure that there is enough wax in the jar to make a tall enough candle. I melted enough wax to go about 5 inches up the jar.
Once the wick has cooled and the wax is melted again, grab a glass of cold water and remove the wax from the stove.
Dip one end of the wick into the wax for a few seconds. I went about 3. 5 inches. It also helps to bend the wick in half so you can estimate how tall your candle will be. Immediately pull it out of the wax and submerge it into the cold water for a few seconds. Repeat on the other end of the wick. Continue this until your candle is as thick as you would like. I did mine 5-6 times, alternating candles each time I dipped them.
Once done, hang your candles to dry. I draped mine over a spatula held up by two jars.
You will likely have wax left over since it takes more to get the length of the candle. You could dump this while still hot onto wax paper and allow to cool in sheets for easier melting on another project. I let mine cool in the jar so that the next time I use it, I can just melt it in the same jar.
Notes
More DIY Ideas:
- DIY Denim Skirt From Jeans
- How To Chalk Paint Antique Furniture
- How to Sew a DIY Kitchen Towel with Loop
More Simple Living Ideas:
- 6 Things To Declutter In The New Year For A Simple Home
- Cooking From Scratch The Simple Way
- 5 Natural Baby Essentials to Simplify your Life
Pin For Later: DIY Beeswax Birthday Candle
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