Yesterday was a rainy and blustery Sunday. Just the kind of Sunday we need when there is lots of work to do inside. 
I am two thirds of the way through decanting all the honey from the empty hives. Now I really have an awful of wax. I thought that on Thursday the home schooled children and I can make candles. We have such a busy week ahead.
But before we even think of making candles we need to heat and strain the wax, and make the candle wicks. I will do the wax today on the woodstove. I have a special pot for cooking down wax. Yesterday I started the wicks. 
We are going to make dipped candles. So I cut pure cotton strings to lengths for two candles, plus extra for either end. These were folded and covered in a borax and salt solution. They will soak for two days.
Here is the Candle Wick Soaking Solution
- 4tbsp borax
- 2 tablespoons salt
- cup and half hot water
At the end of the second day hang the strings to dry. Either in the sun, or for me, above the fire in the loft. Dry for a further two or three days. The string has to be absolutely dry.
The morning that we make the candles I will show you how to attach each wick to the holders and thinly coat in wax then thoroughly dry again for the final curing. Then we will be ready for the Candle Making.
But today we are going to get Charlotte ready for her ride to the Swine herd’s place tomorrow. Do you think she may need a manicure and maybe a wee facial. I shall ask her. She is very good at walking into the trailer for her feed. Though Sheila has already decided that she would rather eat in her usual spot. So separating them tomorrow will be not be a problem at all.
The wind is howling a gale outside. Time to get to work. There is a fair amount to do. We are getting short of wood for the fire so we are off on a scavenge through the hedge apple hedge on the big farm. There is always dry wood hanging about in there. I wish there were bales of dry hay hanging about in there too. It is going to be a close thing.
Have a lovely day.
celi
Good luck getting Charlotte moved safely!
I think it will be OK, we will see what tomorrow brings.. c
I wondered how natural candle wicks were made. Looking forward to the dipping.
Just cotton string, the type you use to truss up a chicken! c
it;s good to know that not all the bees product has gone to waste…well done..I love the way you live!
Charlotte…keep a stiff upper lip. If you were English I’d say ‘ lie back and think of England’ best of luck Mrs Bacon
Everything is used or consumed, there will be no waste, wouldn’t that be awful after all the work of those little bees. c
good morning Celi thanks for the post on the candle wicks that is a good thing to know
SAINTS
ps. have you ever tried flat wicks in candles it might give off more light ? thought just came to me
I only use cotton string because this is what I have in the house, I use it in the kitchen and cheese making. I don’t think i have even seen flat string .. how interesting.. c
Always wondered what the process was for making candle wicks…
morning bulldog! c
I am indeed excited to see the post on how to make the dipped candles. Why do you need to soak the wick? Does the borax give it an after smell as it burns? I just love the smell of beeswax candles. We burn beeswax exclusively in the house, outside I sometimes use the cheap tea lights, but more and more I’m switching to the beeswax. It’s warmish here too and it’s raining, but I fear we would need a good weeks worth of rain to melt the snow we got on Friday. Have a great day.
Oh no. Raining on top of all that snow! If a wick is properly prepared it will burn slower and with less splutter and smoke. there is not after smell. I also love the scent of beeswax, our house is filling up with that smell this week!c
Thanks for the info.
Bon voyage, Charlotte. Have fun!
The candle process is very interesting., but you have so much work in prospect.
Could you perfume a few with a vanilla pod? or Cinnamon? I have had scented candles given to me in the past and they are delightfully soothing.
what an excellent idea, I have vanilla pods, the beeswax itself is beautifully scented, vanilla might lift that delightfully..thank you Viv, i will experiment.. c
Brilliant – what great fun for the children
So why do you soak the wicks in the solution, to stiffen them? I’ve made candles before but it was with store bought wax and wicks. Even still have one of them from my 4-H years, it has to be between 35-40 years old now (wow I feel old now). Everybody knows that candle is not to be lit unless you want mom fired up too.
On another note I was looking for a rubber stamp of draft horses to purchase the other day online and I found one with piggies on it. First thought that popped into my head was hey those look like Hereford pigs. Wouldn’t have known that without having “met” Sheila and Charlotte.
they must been long backed piggies, isn’t that lovely to think of the Shush Sisters when you are out shopping. The wicks are soaked in this solution so that they burn long and slow without guttering and spluttering, also their flame is bigger from the salt giving more light.. I think! c
This is just fascinating, c. I have always bought candles in pairs (mostly from a woman in Denmark) with connected wicks, but the process of making them was beyond me. I’m riveted! Now … time to play with eggs!
Every time I stop in at the Farmy, I learn something new. Now we’re making candles…
What fun, looking forward to the candle making. As for Charlotte, I wouldn’t worry too much about the beauty treatments, athough you may have supplies at home to do a little trotter waxing!
Close to me in E is a shop called the Burford garden centre. It’s a place I wish they wouldn’t mind me living in, you know, somewhere small in the corner just so I could be there with the incredible things they sell. Anyway, they have these beautiful dipped candles which they display in a cubed frame of about two dozen candles hanging by their wicks. If one wants to buy some then they are snipped out of the frame. This way the whole frame is dipped and several candles are made at once. Do you know what I’m talking about? It’s a brilliant method. I’ve taken photos of the candles in their frame and would be happy to send them to you if you like.
I do know what you are talking about and what a charming way to display them. I would love to see that frame, I make a two candle frame from wire but have always wanted one of the wooden ones. Maybe I will ask the kiwi builder if he can make one for us. c
Very cool! I have always wanted to make candles and to make beeswax candles so this is a huge fun post for me.
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com
Would a dollop of good old Vaseline help Charlotte?
I’m so glad you posted the candle wick recipe. I have often wondered what makes them so special and why I couldn’t just make my own instead of buying them. Next time…
I will be thinking of Charlotte…although perhaps I won’t think in too much detail! And you continue to amaze me with what you both know, and DO. Candle wicks! The homeschool children must thoroughly enjoy their time with you! I would!
The ultimate luxury in candles is beeswax candles – if you can find them. What is pure indulgence for most is made possible on The Farmy with good husbandry and hard work by the head mistress Celi. V.
Candle making. Fun! I’m excited to see how it turns out. Poor Charlotte. And Sheila’s no dummy, is she? She knows nothing good can come from eating lunch in the back of a trailer.
I have always wanted to know how to make candles. Can’t wait to read more!
I have made candles with string and wax — never heard of the wick-curing process before. Look forward to hearing about the vanilla beeswax experiment.
My girl scouts made dipped candles on one of our outings years ago; they had a blast!
I’m very excited to learn this candle making process. I’ve never seen it done before. I’m sure your schooling children will love the activity. I know mine would. Any kind of craft and they are totally game. Is it windy by you today? It’s unbelievable up this way! I hope you’re staying warm.
I am so interested in seeing the final candle products
Soooo neat!
I’m with Kristy. I know little of the candle-making process and look forward to learning about it.
What kind of hen party will there be for Charlotte? (You realize that “hen” party isn’t usually so literal.) Don’t let Charlotte party too hearty. No groom wants a bride that looks tired.
Our snow is just about one. Yesterday’s rain and today’s warmth pretty much melted it all. If it dries up a little, I may clear the front garden by week’s end.
Have a great day, Celi!
That sounds very interesting… can’t wait to see all the process
Good luck to Charlotte on her “date”
Celi, you must make one of your candles a Christmas candle with all those wonderful smells of cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice!
I have had a lifelong love affair with candles, especially beeswax ones: that’s very much the romantic part of me
! However, have never attempted to make any. Have always been close to farmers’ markets and other artsy-craftsy places to buy them cheap. Thus will be rereading this with great pleasure and learning more later . . . looks as if Charlotte is ‘sorted out’: but when the truck begins to move . . . ?
I know, there will be squealing, and then Sheila will be squealing being left alone.. it will be a rough afternoon.. c
It’s fun to see how things are made, thanks for sharing with all of us.
Be careful making those candles, OK?
(Oh you might check the WIlliamsburg website to see if they have any pictures of candle making frames? – we used to watch them make candles when we lived there)
I will, those old frames are awesome! thanks mouse.. c
I’ve made dipped candles before . . . it took LOTS of patience. My mom used tin candle molds for faster results.
Either way, what great fun for you and the grandkids.
oh they are not my grandkids, they are borrowed children. we are going to hang the candles up when we need a break. My arms get tired! I would love to get some of those moulds but they are so expensive. We will have fun though and I have piles of patience there is no hurry.
I love this! It brings back memories of reading about candle making in “Farmer Boy”.
I had no idea of the work involved in making a wick. I feel as if I have stepped back in time and that you are helping keep a dying knowledge alive.
I had to laugh at the idea of Charlotte having a manicure and a facial ready for her date! The candle-making looks intriguing, and I’m sure the children will love it. It will smell good too.
The candle preparations look wonderful, Celi. We’re blustery here, too….
I’ll be thinking of Charlotte and her anxious mama tomorrow….can’t wait to see the candle making process….
I can’t imagine that I’m ever going to make a candle, but I shall listen attentively. I’m already in the dark, which means I could do with a candle, as I have no idea of the nature of Borax. We live with trade names, so each country can stay unaware in the true spirit of Babel. Maybe Borax is the real name of some chemical compound – I don’t know. I shall be following the unfolding story avidly.
I have never made candles or wicks before, but it looks fairly easy and like lots of fun! Thanks for sharing
Goodluck Cecilia! I’m excited to see the final outcome. I’m definitely sure this will be a whole lot of fun for you and the kids.