How To Make Rolled Beeswax Candles

In the darker evenings of autumn, a candle’s light and warmth are welcome. Sure, you could go out and buy a box of tapers, but with just a few sheets of natural beeswax and a spool of wick, you can easily make your own candles at home.

There’s no hot wax or dipping involved — this is an incredibly simple and quick project that’s sure to yield happiness for many winter nights to come. (Bonus: Beeswax candles also make great gifts!)

The sun is setting earlier and the days feel noticeably shorter now that Daylight Saving Time is officially over. Adjusting to the darker evenings can be rough, but a few things — like extra Vitamin D and a good comedy on Netflix — help ease the transition.

Candles at the kitchen table can also work wonders for your mood. Usually reserved for fancy dinners at the dining room table, lighting a candle or two at night makes every meal feel like a special occasion. The subtly sweet smell of beeswax and the warm glow of the flame instantly lift your spirits.

You can purchase large (8 x 16-inch) sheets of beeswax from a variety of purveyors. Dyed sheets range in color from natural to burgundy and French blue to forest green. Each sheet makes one taper candle, or two smaller pillar candles.

These candles burn relatively quickly. Make sure to roll them evenly and very tightly around the wick to prolong the burning time. Because these are so easy to make, I rolled quite a few and stashed them away to have on hand whenever I need a new one.

• 100% Beeswax Sheets in Ivory, $19.95 for 10 sheets from Better Bee
• 1/0 Square Braid Wicking, $4.25 for 30 feet from Better Bee

Supplies

8 x 16-inch sheets of beeswax, one for each candle
1/0 square braid wicking

Equipment
Sharp knife
Scissors

1. Prepare the wax sheets and wick: Make sure sheets are at room temperature so they’re pliable and easy to work with. If you want to make two smaller pillars, carefully fold the sheet in half to create a line to cut down, then open the sheet back up. Cut the sheet with a sharp knife along the line. Cut the wick to be about 3/4-inch longer than the length of the sheet.
2. Add the wick: Firmly press the wick along one edge of the wax sheet to keep it in place.
3. Roll the candle: Slowly roll the wax sheet (away from you) over the wick, being careful to keep the rolls tight and even.
4. Finish the candle: Once you reach the end of the sheet, gently press the edge into the candle to secure it.
5. Enjoy: Store candles in a dark, cool area and light when desired.

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