Beeswax Alchemy

1/20/2015

I wrote a book!!! It is due to be released in a couple weeks and I am SO excited! I expect to receive my copy in the mail any day now. Writing this book has been a great journey of discovery and reflection. I hope that the knowledge shared finds usefulness in the hands of others that are in love with beeswax as much as I am!

Right now, I am taking pre-orders for the book. One of the benefits of purchasing from the author is that the book can be personalized with an inscription. Once the book is released, I will be selling the book either with or without inscription.

14 Comments

Marian Cronin

1/22/2016 02:14:09 am

Hi Petra, I just got your book and live it ! I am dipping my toe into making beeswax candles as my husband is a beekeeper ! I have one question for you -I was wondering if you need to add a cooler oil like almond etc to stop wax burning? A lot if the you tube videos do and I notices you don't ! Thanks a lot and I hope this gets to you from Ireland Best Wishes Marian Cronon

Salish Sea

1/31/2016 03:54:43 pm

What a beautiful and inspiring book you wrote, and so much useful information. I will recommend highly every chance I get. Congratulations from BC Canada

petra ahnert

1/31/2016 04:35:27 pm

<blushing> thanks so much!

petra ahnert

1/31/2016 04:25:55 pm

thank you!

petra ahnert

1/31/2016 04:33:19 pm

to answer your questions... I have never blended beeswax with an oil, but it sounds like a good idea, especially if you might be looking to make container candles.

unless I am misunderstanding you, wax needs to burn to keep a flame burning.
petra

Tammy

3/2/2016 07:07:49 pm

Hi! I just checked your book out from my library. I was wondering if there is something else I can use when a recipe calls for lanolin.

I am highly allergic (like blisters within 10 minutes of contact) to lanolin.

I am sure the consistency will be off if I just leave it out.

Thanks for your help. Great book!

Shaylea

7/12/2016 07:25:47 pm

Hello! I love your book. I'm new to beeswax. I have experience making sky candles but beeswax seems so different. I'm just wondering if it's possible to scent beeswax like most people do with soy? And I'm also curious why beeswax isn't usually used for container candles. Is it just not common or is there a reason for not making container candles with it?? Thank you for your answers and thank you for this book!!

Petra

7/12/2016 09:33:16 pm

Glad you're enjoying the book.

yes it is possible to scent beeswax candles. i would recommend using fragrance specifically made for candles.

i have seen some container candles made with beeswax, however I'm not sure they are using just beeswax, or a blend. i see the potential problems as two-fold. first, beeswax has a tendency to shrink as it cools, which could result in wax sticking to the container in some areas, and pulling away in others (more of a cosmetic problem). this could be minimized by blending the wax with an oil. that effectively lowers the melting point of the wax and keeps shrinkage to a minimum. it also keeps the candle from burning too hot and possibly breaking the container. i haven't experimented with wax additives, so I don't have any oil suggestions.

Marie pier

1/9/2017 09:33:09 am

Hello :) I bought your book and I love it. I had my first beehives last summer. I kept the wax and I was wondering if you could wtite me how to filter it. The right way to do it :)
Thank you very much!

Renata

2/27/2017 10:04:02 am

Hello Petra,
Thank you for your amazing book! Now I can make my own lipbalms and stuff. I am allergic to so many things in the store. Your book is amazing!!!!!!
So thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
kind regards,
Renata

Charlotte Story

4/22/2017 05:51:06 am

Petra, have you ever combined beeswax with other waxes to make candles? I'd like to mix my beeswax with recycled stearin candles but can't find any information on if this would be a good idea or not. Thanks!

Petra Ahnert

4/22/2017 06:33:43 am

I have mixed beeswax with bayberry wax, but that's it. One potential problem I see is getting the wicking right. There is no way of knowing exactly what is in recycled candles. I would only make them for personal use, where if they don't burn well or evenly, no one is harmed.

Kathy George link

5/25/2017 08:34:54 am

Dear Petra, I have made dozens of candles made of beeswax from my local farmer friend, and have given them to several family members and friends, and later to my dismay, I am finding out that they are not burning properly(wick is swimming in the melted wax and going out), and the wax inside of container has shrunk and pulled away. I feel like I want to ask for the candles back and remake them properly, which is going to be a little trouble.
I want to perfect my beeswax candlemaking, with your help! I want to make the candles with clear glass quart jars, with the wax being as close to 100%beeswax as possible. Can you instruct me on which wick and where to buy them and how to affix them in jars, and what to put in wax,etc
Thank You!

petra link

5/25/2017 03:11:00 pm

Hi Kathy,
I feel your pain! A while back I played with making container candles. I gave up because I couldn't make them work, so I can't speak to what you need to do. One thing that I could suggest is making sure the wax you are using has NO honey in it.

When I started out, it took me a while to realize that the wax I was using only looked clean. In actuality, there was quite a bit of residual honey left that was not evident by looking at it. I would suggest if you don't have a wax melter, to get a Presto pot (Walmart has them for about $25). This pot can be used and kept on low heat for a period of time to settle out the residual honey. You can then filter the wax through felt cloth.

Also, you mentioned wax pulling away from the sides. Beeswax naturally shrinks as it cools. There is no way to avoid that, but pouring the wax as cool as possible will minimize shrinkage.

The one thing I worry about with this type of candle is voids. when I make 3" diameter and larger pillar candles, I need to make sure that voids are caught and filled as the candle cools. Voids could be potentially dangerous if all of a sudden, a large portion of wick is exposed causing the flame to flare up.

It sounds like you know, you will need to blend the beeswax with something else. That's a good idea, however I have no suggestions on what to blend with. Sorry!
Petra

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