apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I did - using the remains of a number of beaswax tealight candles. I used organic cotton twin that I use normally to tie up recyclable paper products as the wick. It was a little too sturdy - wouldn't burn away, created a huge flame with some smoke, and eventually leaned against the glass while I wasn't paying attention and cracked it (no mess). Even with trimming, I need to figure out a better wick situation.

I also learned about the "sink hole" phenomenon (the wax shrinks when cooling, so save a small amount to do a second fill-in pour) after the fact, although that was cosmetic, and gone after the first long burn.

I'll do it again, with this knowledge in mind, and may research more appropriate wicks.

*twine

We bought a brick of beeswax but used wicks for regular candles and our wick burned too quickly so make sure you use a wick specifically designed for beeswax.

We had bees in our fields when I was a child and my mom always made candles from the wax that is leftover from collecting honey. We always used molds or jars (my mom did not enjoy using candle sticks so we never made them) and there are special wicks you buy that are better suited to beeswax's slower melting.

amt230- to help prevent the wax from shrinking too much you can try placing your just made candles into a warm oven, then turn the oven off and leave them in it until it has cooled completely. (Like if you were making cheesecake)