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
The Kitchen's Garden 
52 responses to “Making Wicks for Candles and Winter Honey”
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