Guru Goddess

Candle making is a tradition that stretched back centuries. 

Hanging wicks and dipping them in wax until the candle is the correct consistency was something we also did in art class when we were young. 

This year, why not get the family together and teach the kids how to make beeswax candles.

Beeswax candles can be made with beeswax sheets.  True beeswax candle makers don’t use these sheets, but for homemade candles, beeswax sheets are easy and safe for children to use.

The wax is pressed into sheets for use in making different shapes of candles.

Beeswax is a clean-burning candle wax.  It cleans the air and removes odors as it burns.  Beeswax also melts away until almost gone.  Any that is left can be molded with more beeswax to create new candles to burn.

Before making beeswax candles, prepare by getting all of your supplies together and setting up an area to work undisturbed.

To make these candles you will need:  beeswax sheets, scissors or a knife, candle wicks, and a cutting board or other hard surface for cutting.

When purchasing the supplies in a craft store or online, check to see that the wicks do not contain any lead or other chemicals.

Beeswax usually comes in a light pale color which is the color of the wax.  Adding color introduces chemicals into the wax that can be burned off in the flame.  You can get beeswax candles in different colors, but they may not burn as cleanly, and are not good if you wish to have a toxin free home.

If your children are helping, make sure that you do any cutting that needs to be done and keep the knife pointed away from the body. 

Work on the kitchen table with them high up enough so the kids can lean as they work.

One of the mainstays of aromatherapy is candles.  Candles put us in a good mood.  The flicker of the flame mesmerizes and relaxes our mind.    But, most candles are made of paraffin wax, from fossil fuels.   There is another alternative-all natural beeswax candles. 

Beeswax candles are made by, you guessed it, bees.  Bees work to make the honey for the wax. Beeswax candles have many advantages over paraffin candles. 

Paraffin is the wax that comprises most of the candles on the market.  It is made from vegetable, animal, and petroleum wastes.  Most people don’t read the labels on candles to discover just how bad they can be for the environment. 

When you burn these substances, toxic substances can be given off in the flame.  Have you ever seen black smoke coming from a candle flame?    It occurs when the candle is getting close to being burned out because there is no more wax to burn.  These are chemicals being released into the air. 

Decorative candles of this type do not burn cleanly.  When the wax re-hardens, you will see the black residue in the wax.  The wax creates a pitting phenomenon in the center of the candle, and the wax also drips down the side and ruins the look of the candle. The more the candle gutters, the more toxins you release into the air. 

A little known fact is that candles which are not all natural have wicks that contain lead.  The metal button that holds the wick can also be dangerous.   When burning the wick, the lead can be released into the air as well.  As we burn candles, we are actually polluting the air around us.  

People with respiratory problems should never burn paraffin candles. The alternative is beeswax candles.   However, many people pass them over as a fad.  They cost more, so why buy them when there are cheaper better smelling candles on the market?

But the cheaper the candle, the more full of toxins it is likely to be.  Beeswax candles are environmentally safe.  They burn cleanly, with no toxic fumes.  That means no pollutants are released into the air.  The air is actually cleaner because the beeswax actually works to eliminate odors and other pollutants from the air. 

You are also supporting the environment by supporting the bees and the beekeeper. With the rapid and alarming, and unexplained disappearance of a  huge percentage of the once robust bee population of the world, bees could well become a protected species soon, and so the more we keep an  eye on them and help them to thrive, the better. For people who like the way that their candles look, beeswax candles do not pit when the wax is burned.  In fact, the wax burns out towards the end of the candle.  It doesn’t drip over and look ugly or make a mess all over the place.  Beeswax candles continue to burn until there is nothing left.   

Beeswax candles are not scented artificially.  They do give off a smell of sweet honey.  The color of the candle is the natural color of the wax.  We suggest avoiding scented candles because of the potential allergens and even toxins released into the air in your home. Beeswax candles burn longer than paraffin wax candles.  For about twenty dollars, you will get over 100 hours of candle burning pleasure.   

So, it is great to use candles for aromatherapy and setting the mood, but clean the air and freshen your home in the process with beeswax candles, not paraffin based ones. As always, keep all burning candles well out of the reach of children and pets, and burn only in a safe place without any draft.  Never leave a candle burning unattended.

Soy candles are environmentally safe.  They burn cleanly, with no toxic fumes.  That means no pollutants are released into the air.  The air is actually cleaner because the soy actually works to eliminate odors and other pollutants from the air. 

For people who like the way that their candles look, soy candles do not pit when the wax is burned.  In fact, the wax burns out towards the end of the candle.   

It doesn’t drip over and look ugly or make a mess all over the place.  Soy candles continue to burn until there is nothing left, and in fact often have a much longer burning time than the paraffin ones. 

Soy candles are not scented artificially.  They do give off a smell fresh smell, and some can be fragranced with flowers or essential oils.  

The color of the candle is the natural color of the soy.  Try to avoid colored ones, which can also be the result of chemicals. 

While fragrances are nice, the recent research which suggests that people who burn a lot of incense are more prone to lung cancer, we suggest avoiding scented candles because of the potential allergens and even toxins released into the air in your home. 

Soy candles burn longer than paraffin wax candles.  For about ten dollars, you will get about 50 hours of candle burning pleasure.  We love the Pacifica candles, but keep in mind what we said about fragrance, and color.  

So, it is great to use candles for aromatherapy and setting the mood, but clean the air and freshen your home in the process with soy candles, not paraffin based ones which are so harmful to the environment.

One of the mainstays of aromatherapy is candles.  Candles put us in a good mood, and are commonly associated with romance.  The flicker of the flame mesmerizes and relaxes our mind, and removes us from the glare of electric light. 

But, most candles are made of paraffin wax, from fossil fuels.   There is another alternative-all natural soy candles. 

Soy candles are made using the ever versatile soy plant. Soy candles have many advantages over paraffin candles. 

Paraffin is the wax that comprises most of the candles on the market.  It is made from vegetable, animal, and petroleum waste products.  Most people don’t read the labels on candles to discover just how bad they can be for the environment. 

When you burn these substances, toxic fumes can be given off in the flame.  Have you ever seen black smoke coming from a candle flame?   

This occurs when the candle is getting close to being burned out because there is no more wax to burn.  These are chemicals being released into the air. 

Decorative candles of this type do not burn cleanly.  When the wax re-hardens, you will see the black residue in the wax.   

The wax creates a pitting phenomenon in the center of the candle too, and the wax also drips down the side and ruins the look of the candle.  

The more the candle gutters, the more toxins you are releasing into the air. 

A little known fact is that candles which are not all natural have wicks that contain lead in them.  The metal button at the very bottom of the candle that holds the wick can also be full of dangerous chemicals. 

When burning the wick, the lead can be released into the air as well.  As we burn candles, we are actually polluting the air around us.  

 People with allergies or respiratory problems should never burn paraffin candles. The alternative is soy candles, not as readily available and a bit more expensive, but also more green and environmentally friendly. 

 Many people pass them over as a fad.  They cost more, so why buy them? 

 But the cheaper the candle, the more full of toxins it is likely to be.