Beeswax Candles
Bees, I love everything about them.
It wasn’t until recently, that I became
more aware of and fond of beeswax candles.
I met a wonderful couple a two summers
ago at a farmer’s market stand. They
displayed a beautiful selection of molded
beeswax candles, cosmetics and honey.
Not only was their display intriguing
and delightful, but so were they. They
had become interested in raising bees
for honey and beeswax several years
back. Their affection for their occupation
grew to their developing award winning
honey and beeswax candles. Their
commitment grew to where they became
associated with fellow beekeepers and that
summer they were traveling to Scotland to
a beekeeper’s convention.
The first thing that drew my heart to
beeswax was it’s scent. It smells like honey, of which I am very fond. Apparently, Beeswax gets its amber color and aroma from the honey and pollen that the bees pack into each honeycomb cell. Variations in color can occur due to the type of flower source.
It has a velvety texture as well. Beeswax
candles can develop a patina over time
called ‘bloom’. Which in my mind is quite
attractive. The candles when burning emit
a brighter longer burning flame whose
radiant glow is the same spectrum as the
sun’s glow. Very different from paraffin
wax candles.
As a bonus, burning beeswax
candles is also cleaner and emits
negative ions into the air. This is
said to ‘invigorate the body’. I am
not sure how that works, but I know
I am definitely happier when I see
my beeswax candles burning. I do
burn the candles while cleaning,
whether the cleaner and invigorating
air is acquired, I am not sure yet, but
I do have a sense of joy seeing my
home cleaner by candlelight.
I prefer pillar and taper candles to the molded variety and I have learned that the first time you burn your beeswax candle is very important.
To make your candle burn completely
across the top, you are to burn it for
one hour per inch in the candle’s diameter.
This new beeswax candle is three
inches in diameter, so I will need to burn
it for three hours the first time.
As you can see, I did not realize
this with a number of my candles
and they are forming a tunnel,
which emits a beautiful glow, but
also impairs the view of the
beautiful flame.
If you get a multiple wick beeswax candle you are to burn the first time until each beeswax pool joins to become one. it is recommended to consistently burn a multiple wick candle that way.
Beeswax has been used for centuries for a variety of things like preservatives and molds. Today, beeswax is used in a variety of ways such as cosmetics and wood care.
I love things in my home that make me smile; beeswax candles are definitely one of my favorite things.
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