Bricks of beeswax have been hiding in my cabinets awaiting this day. Today am making candles for the holidays.

These are for sale by the pound, with the caveat that they have their own unique imperfections or textures. 10% of proceeds will be donated to the non-profit, Think Like a Bee. Email me at anita@thinklikeabee.org if you wish to purchase these beautiful, unique gifts for your loved ones or yourself.

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Beeswax is produced by honeybees. The nectar from 17 million flowers enables bees to produce 8 1/2 lb. of honey. According to the Beeswax Candle Works website, this is the amount of honey needed to produce only 1 lb. of beeswax.

https://ourpastimes.com/how-long-does-a-one-pound-beeswax-candle-burn-12444390.html

The glands of worker bees convert the sugar contents of honey into wax, which oozes through the bee’s small pores to produce tiny flakes of wax on their abdomens. Workers chew these pieces of wax until they become soft and moldable, and then add the chewed wax to the honeycomb construction.

Orkin.com

Unfortunately, the prior information I found on the Orkin pesticide website. Sadly, they know their targeted subject. I continue to be amazed that we kill non-human beings with intrinsic wisdom which have so much to teach and give us.

Here’s a short list of why humans like beeswax.

Beeswax is rich in vitamin A which aids in cell rejuvenation, reducing wrinkles and age spots. Beeswax has amazing antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and healing properties. It helps the skin retain moisture. Upon further investigation, I found that beeswax is used for high cholesterol, pain, fungal skin infections, and other conditions. It doesn’t clog the pores and has been highly prized for lotions, potions, beauty creams, lip balms, body butters, deodorants and salves. Who knew?

Because of its incredible qualities of adherence and sealing, beeswax is used for candle and soap making, lubricants, furniture and shoe polish, granite countertop polish, cheese waxes, beard and mustache waxes, crayons, envelope seals and more….tell me if I missed something!

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For candles, it is a non-toxic alternative to those fossil fuel based candles on the market, usually laden with synthetic perfumes and dyes. Beeswax candles have a fresh, sweet, natural honey smell that permeates the room. Because beeswax has a higher melting point than other waxes, it emits the brightest, most warm-toned flame. Beeswax candles also last longer than most other candles. Because it is so dense (0.958), it burns slower and drips less. A 3X6 pillar candle is known to burn over 100 hours.

It is the greenest possible candle you can have. My candle wax comes from organic farms, though pesticides are so prevalent in our environment these days, it’s hard to know what the bees have been exposed to.

As I’ve often said, everything from the hive is a generous gift from the girls.

Email anita@thinklikeabee.org if you would like your very own holiday candles!

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