Beeswax Workshop Tips, Tricks & Resources
- Nona Spillers
- Feb 17
- 6 min read
The purpose of my beeswax workshop is to open the door to the fascinating world of beeswax and help you understand the true value of this remarkable resource. We explore everything from what beeswax is and how bees make it, to why we’re fortunate enough to use it in our everyday lives. I love sharing my favorite tips and tricks—so you can skip the trial-and-error and benefit from all the lessons I’ve learned along the way.
Where to source beeswax…
Ask a local beekeeper. Remember beeswax is precious so if they don’t have any - that’s a good thing. I have a Corpus Christi beek I trust and buy from. I’m always happy to share what I have or connect you directly.
Texas Bee Supply in Round Rock has good wax at a fair price.
The internet - you can find beeswax online, just be cautious. Order a test batch to be sure you’re getting what you expect.
Beeswax sheets - be really diligent here. Mann Lake is my trusted source: https://www.mannlakeltd.com/. Know that there are different sizes and thicknesses. If you just need a few sheets, call me. If you want a box of 50+ I can help you know what order numbers work best for rolled candles.
Other trustworthy sources…
Lip Balm Tubes & Shea Butter - Mary Taylor Naturals. You can find their products through Amazon saving shipping if you have Prime. Be cautious not to order too much shea butter. It will go rancid over time. Keep it in a cool dry spot.
Essential Oils - If you’re doing small projects Whole Foods has great products at an affordable price. Their 365 brand is solid. You can get some of them through Amazon.
Candle Wick - Amazon but be sure you’re getting square braided, natural cotton wick.
Organic Coconut Oil - HEB Organics, they have a large container and now a one gallon bucket. Be aware that unrefined coconut oil will change from solid to liquid depending on temperature. Store in a cool dry spot.
Melting Hot Pad - This is the set I got on Amazon with the hot pad and stainless pitcher.
Strainer Bags - For cleaning beeswax try the 1 gallon paint strainer bags from Home Depot or Lowes
Infusion ingredients - You can grow most of the best things yourself. Frontier Co-op is great resource.
Body Care Tips & Tricks
Pouring Body Care - Always put your containers on a baking sheet lined with parchment or in a glass dish. If there is a spill or leak it’s contained and you can reuse the product, just scrape it up with a spatula or board scraper.
Lip Balm - be sure to use a lip balm tray by the same company that makes your tubes - this will insure a tight fit and no leaking. If you do have a leak just wipe the tube with a towel before adding a label. Use the spatula provide with the tray to level the tops of the tubes. Be prepared for a little settling as the balm cools. You may want to pour a bit more on top to fill in any pin holes that are created.
Lotion Stick - When first using new containers, pour one to make sure they seal. I’ve found that with the roll up container, they often leak. To avoid a mess, pour a small amount of your liquid in the container and roll it around the bottom to create a wax seal. Let cool, then fill as desired.
Infused Oils - To make an infused oil there are two methods. I recommend always using a glass jar with a tight fitting lid. The first method is simply to submerge your ingredient in the oil of your choosing. Store it in a dark place and shake it a couple of times a day. Three weeks tends to be the consensus for a good infusion. I use the oil by straining it off leaving the ingredients in the jar. Once you’ve used all the oil - consider using what’s left to make a body scrub. This works with mint, calendula, sage, lavender, etc. If you don’t have three weeks - you can make an infusion using heat. Put your glass jar with infusion ingredients in a water bath and leave on low heat for 1 to 3 hours. Stir occasionally.
Labeling Body Care - Be sure to put the ingredients on your body care products - even if you’re gifting them. I’ve found people who are allergic to olive oil, various essential oils and coconut oil.
RECIPES
These recipes will adjust proportionately if you want smaller or larger batches.
Calendula Salve - this formula is great for general skin care, but also works to heal pressure sores or other cuts and scrapes. The consistence of this salve is a bit softer to make spreading on a wound comfortable. You can make it firmer by adding more beeswax. Recipe makes 6 two ounce tins.
2.5oz Beeswax
3.5 oz Calendula Infused Oil
2oz Coconut Oil
2.5oz Shea Butter
Vitamin E Oil
I use Organic Olive Oil for my calendula infusion, however coconut and almond oil also work well.
Lotion Stick - this recipe is designed for a roll up or push up tube. You can use whatever combination of essential oils appeal to you. Sweet Orange & Bergamot is the formula I make and several people find it repels chiggers or soothes mosquito bits. Recipe make 8 tubes.
4oz Beeswax
8oz Coconut Oil
5oz Shea Butter
Essential Oils.
Lip Balm - This is by far my favorite recipes. It makes about 20 tubes with a little left over for topping off. I leave any extra in my pour pot - cover with plastic wrap and label it so next time you know what you’re starting with. You can eliminate the honey and use essential oils or add vitamin e if you like. Peppermint Lip Balm is a favorite.
Special Note: the honey does not emulsify. It will flavor the balm but you’ll have a little bit of honey at the bottom of your pot. Watch carefully that you don’t pour what’s left - you’ll just have a sticky mess. I use a spatula to scoop the honey out after I’m done and put it in a body scrub. To make vanilla infused honey - I put a vanilla bean in a small jar of honey and leave it. You might wind up with a few of the little black vanilla seeds in your balm - I call that authenticity!
3/4oz Beeswax
2oz Coconut Oil
1oz Shea Butter
3/4oz Vanilla Infused Honey
Candle Tips & Tricks
Beeswax is harder than most other forms of wax, which is why it burns so nicely. But, in order to burn evenly and not tunnel it needs lots of oxygen. I haven’t had great luck with beeswax candles in containers as they limit how the wick / flame draws oxygen. That said - give it a try. Worst case you scrap out the wax and remelt it.
I would do your experimentation BEFORE adding essential oils to you wax. Once you do that you have keep up with what’s what. You can add a few drops of essential oil to the beeswax while it’s liquid. I usually remove it from the heat and let it cool just a bit before adding the essential oils. Stir once added. Then pour.
Beeswax DIPPED Square Braided Cotton Wick - This was the game changing tip for me from Sarah at Slow Burn in Minneapolis. She is a brilliant candle maker and hosts workshops of her own.
To dip the wicks - I unspool wick around my fingers and then put that bundle into the wax pot being sure to hold on to one end. Draw it out slowly having a piece of parchment on which it can drip if needed. I lay the dipped wax over a coat hanger to cool. I store my dipped wick in these long pieces so I have the flexibility to cut it to size as I make candles.
Rolled Candles - Whether you pour your own sheets or buy them, you can achieve different aesthetics by cutting your sheet into different sizes and shapes. One popular approach is a taper - you cut the sheet long ways on a diagonal and roll from the tall end.
Nona Evans
512.289.9258
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