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Making Bayberry Candles
Bayberries are coated with a wax that may be used to
make candles. The colonists of America found that the
berries warmed in water released the wax. The wax
separates from the berries and rises to the surface of
the water. It may be skimmed off when cooled. The wax
was commonly used to make hand dipped candles. Five to
eight pounds of berries yield one pound of wax.
Bayberry wax is available from craft suppliers. The
candles are long burning and rather brittle.
To make your own bayberry candles you will need:
Collected berries, sorted and rinsed
Candle mold or container
Wick or string dipped in hot wax and pulled taut
tostraighten
Cheesecloth
Small stick
Tallow, beeswax or paraffin optional
Remove the berries from the branches, carefully
picking them over. Place them in a sieve and shake to
remove dust. Put the collected berries in a container
filled with water and place in a warm area. Let soak
for 12-24 hours. Then set in a cool area until the wax
has formed a solid block.
Remove the wax block from the container and brush off
any remaining sediment. Place the wax in a clean
container, again in a warm area, such as a gas oven
with the pilot light on until it melts. Pour the
melted wax through a strainer into a cheesecloth lined
bowl. Allow to harden once more.
This time consuming process gives a pure wax. If you
don't have the time, simply place the berries in a pot
of boiling water, reduce the heat to simmer, and
remove from the heat when the wax has floated to the
top. Place the pot with its contents in a cool area
and allow the wax to harden.
Use the following instructions for both methods. Use
pure bayberry wax or augment with tallow, paraffin, or
beeswax. The mold may be an antique taper mold or any
can, carton or tin that will hold hot wax.
Put the wick in the center by wrapping the end around
a small stick and placing the stick across the top of
the mold. Melt the wax over low heat in the top of a
double boiler. Carefully pour the wax into the mold.
Place the mold upright in a cool spot until the candle
has solidified. Remove the candle from the mold when
the wax is completely hardened. If a disposable mold
has been used, gently tear it away from the candle. If
you are using a metal mold, run hot water briefly over
the outside to loosen it.
For a fine finish rub the candle with a soft cloth. A
pure bayberry candle will not produce a light as
bright as that of beeswax. Tapered candles may be made
by dipping a long wick into a deep vessel of melted
wax several times. Allow to dry between dips. The
candle may be as thin or as thick as you like. Candles
made from any kind of wax burn longer and better if
refrigerated for several hours before use.
Art is a collaboration between God and the artist, and the less the artist does the better. ~André Gide
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To clean paintbrushes, simmer them in pure vinegar, then wash in hot soapy water.
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