Candle Making

On November 29, 2014 Jen and I attended our first Candle Making Workshop. It was offerred by the kind folk at the Richmond Bee Association. We had no idea what to expect...it turned out to be sooo much funnn!! Great company, wonderful home made goodies, coffee and we learned the basics of candle making.

Fun was had by all!

We got there at 1 PM and things were just starting to get under way. The folks with the know how had the bees wax melting (the entire room smelled wonderful), tables and floors covered with plastic so spills were of no concern, molds...both silicone and metal...were set out along with wicks, mold release spray and all the bits and pieces one needs to make lovely candles. Another group had the dip candle set up laid out...wicks with attached weights (metal nuts) and bars to drape them over. The dip tank was a double boiler affair with someone constantly making certain the wax was at the correct depth. Food and coffee were laid out for all to enjoy.

Wax for the mold table

It was amazing how much bees wax we went through! Huge blocks were hammered into chunks that were heated and stirred in big pot. Smaller aliquots were then shifted to the molded candle table and the dipping vat. Although the wax look pristine in its' processing the occasional bee body found its way into a molded candle.

Breaking up wax for the big pot

Topping up the dipping vat

We learned the process for poured, molded and dipped candles. Jen and I focused on learning how to make molded candles but when we saw the lovely dipped tapers that were the bounty of three hours of dipping we resolved to try that next year!

For molded candles there were three methods:

1. Silicone molds
2. Metal molds
3. Plastic molds

Each method had its pros and cons.

For silicone molds it was important to secure the wick...wick size being determined by mold size. Once the wick was in place elastic bands were used to keep the edges of the mold tight together so wax would not leak out. The molds were set over two paint sticks so the wick sticking out the bottom didn't cause the mold to tip. Once set up the hot liquid wax was poured in. Then there is the wait, and wait, and wait until the wax cooled and hardened. It was a cold snowy day so several of us put our molds in the snow...that hastened the process. Once solid the elastic bands are removed and the candle is released in all its' glory.

Silicone mold

With the metal molds the issue was making certain the hole where the wick went through was completed taped or puttied over so the was didn't run out as the mold was filled. Also a mold release spray was applied to aid in releasing the hardened candle. Once filled the waiting period was as with the silicone molds. Releasing bees wax candles from the rigid metal molds seemed to be fraught with difficulty. But...the clever folk with experience advised putting the mold in the freezer for a bit and once really cold running the mold under a stream of hot water. Voila...the beautiful wax candle pops out without a blemish!

There were a couple of firm plastic molds. They came in two halves that you clamped together. The trick seemed to finding the clamps! The wick was laid in place, the two halves clamped together and the mold was filled with molten wax. Again the wait for it to cool. Once cooled the clamps are removed and the two halves are separated. This is quite a simple method. It resulted in a lovely shiny wax surface but unfortunately the mold seams were very visible.

Silicone molds

Metal and wax molds cooling in the snow

Some people filled tea light bases, mason jars or other receptacles. This seemed very straightforward but was simplified if a thin layer of wax was put in first to anchor the wick to the bottom. Once this hardened the rest of the receptacle was filled with molten wax. Easy peasy candle making.

Tea lights, metal molds and mold release spray

The dipped candles were a simple but mindlessly boring task. Nuts were tied onto each end of a long segment of wick. This was then draped over a stick. Most set a few wicks on their stick. Then the process of dipping the wicks in the hot wax and carefully lifting them out allowing the excess wax to drip back into the dipping vat. They wait until that hardens and then dip again. A long line of candle makers dipping, waiting and dipping again. They had good times talking to other dippers but it was hard to dip and eat! The candles made using this process were beautiful, elegant tapers.

Starting to dip

The wax builds up

There was no station for rolled wax foundation candles. I suspect they are not conducive to a large setting as each sheet of wax would need to be the perfect temperature for manipulation and rolling. There was were silicone molds that made a good knock off of the real thing!

Despite our efforts I know we dropped a lot of wax and made quite a mess. The organizers simply smiled and said all they had to do was roll up the plastic coverings. Easily said but in reality I think there was a lot of cleaning up after the cheerful made off with their handiwork.

A huge thank you to all who organized and ran this event!! I have marked it as a must for next year.

Beautiful dipped tapers

From metal and silicone molds

The Workshop Rewards!