Probably well over a year ago, I was excited to find a cool candle holder at a thrift store. After I got it home, I realized that it took a non-standard candle size. Smaller than tapers, but bigger than birthday candles. Maybe it’s standard elsewhere (in Northern Europe? The design could be Scandinavian), but not in the US. I looked a couple of places for the right size, and then I put the problem on the back-burner. But recently I realized that I could make my own custom size candles out of beeswax sheets. Problem, meet easy, fun solution.
A set of these, along with some copper and marble candleholders, would make a great gift.
Here’s how to make your own standard-size taper, but you obviously make any size you want.
Materials:
Beeswax sheets – I bought these and the wicks at St. Johns Living Well, but I was going to buy this kit if I couldn’t find them locally.
Wicks – Size #4/0, which you can find here.
Scissors
Ruler (optional)
Steps:
1. My beeswax sheets were 8″ tall by 16″ wide, big enough for two standard candles apiece. Cut each sheet in half, so they’re 8″ by 8″.
2. Cut a wick about a half inch longer than the height of the candle (8.5″), place it along one edge of the candle, and fold the edge over the wick.
3. Roll the wax sheet around the wick as tightly as you can.
4. When you get to the end of the sheet, press the end gently but firmly into the candle, until it stays in place.
That’s all there is to it! So easy, right?
