Beeswax Candles!

I have been wanting to make these for a very long time.  I have been to many Waldorf schooling blogs, where they have posted beeswax crafts, and I always thought the candles looked so glowy and creamy yellow.

Now that we are settled in a bit from our move, we can craft more and more each day! Also, when we went to the farmers' market this week, the "bee guy" had his wax there at a great price.  I am so happy to be able to seek out those special places and people where you can find, say, beeswax, or the best coffee, or the best apple orchard.  I love it because we aren't going to move--we can embrace our lovely community in a way that I couldn't before.

Anyway, back to the candles.
I thought that Tate was getting to that age where he is going to start opting out of Mama's activities.  He recently complained about "Vinegar and Baking Soda and Food Coloring again??", so I have been letting him do his own thing.   Before I could even finish getting everything on the table, he was obsessed with the yellow soft sticks of beeswax.  He was building with them, playing with them, talking about them, etc.  It was a PERFECT Sunday afternoon activity.

How did we do it?

1.  Get Beeswax.  (Bee Guy, Natural Food Store, Amazon)

2.  Put a thin wipe of Jojoba oil in pyrex, then add wax to Pyrex.  Use about 1.5x the quantity that you want to fill.  (We used old glass candle holders and teeny canning jars.)

3.  Melt by putting Pyrex in a pot with an water in it.  (It takes awhile.  Watch very carefully as it can ignite if it gets super hot.   I just stand by and stir and stir and adjust temp as necessary.)

4.  Get wick ready.  They sell these at Michaels or other craft stores and are very inexpensive.  I used the long wick that I could cut to whatever size I need, with metal bases that are sold separately.  You just tie a knot in the bottom, pull it through until you hear it pop into the metal tube, and then crimp with pliers.  

 5.  Pour a little melted wax in the bottom of glass and "glue" wick down.  (You can do this before all of the wax is melted.)

 6.  Add and stir essential oils to fully melted wax OFF the burner.  I used 4 ml total and you could just smell the scent.  It was subtle, so add more if you want.

7.  Pour into glass candle holder.  Use 2 chopsticks or skewers (seen above in the corner) that you lay flat across the top of the glass, on either side of the wick to make it stand up straight.

8.  Let cool and trim wicks, and you have candles!

 They helped choose the oils, stir the wax, and basically just played with all the supplies as I did most of the work.  They didn't care--they still felt like they made the candles.

I need to go back to the "Bee Guy" for some more wax!

Accidental Kid Activity

Paul needed sand to put in the base of our gas fireplace.  (I don't know why, but I guess it is part of the instructions to get my cozy fire going!)  He had an ice cream bucket of sand, that he set in the dining room after he was finished.  This bucket of sand was VERY attractive to a 4 year old...

Add a plastic table cloth, a box of baking soda, measuring spoons, and a few other kitchen utensils, and you have a morning of fun.

Squam Fall 2014 in Photos

My words and thoughts from Squam are in my previous post.  Here are the photos, that tell a better story.  Let me add, this was a photography centered Squam and I am not a photographer.  I went because of friends attending, and frankly, because it was a better time of year for me to travel.   Not only did I LOVE my classes (multimedia and make your own perfume!), but I learned from my photographer friends.  It was a wonderful time and I returned knowing myself better, feeling fully restored.  It isn't the classes, it is the people and the magic that happens when people, some even strangers, come together with an open heart.

On to the photos...

Our Loft!  ("Jewelry Designer Loft" on airbnb in Providence)

The best secret!  Amazing friend, Ladonna,  came to Squam as a surprise.

Ready to create.

My dearest, Gerri.  

A break for treats at Ellie's Bakery!

The sweet, Xanthe, photographed me.
This was a learning moment... I was so uncomfy, and I had to ask myself internally "why?".  Just going through this made me relax, not be so hard on myself, and vow to just go with it the next time someone asks to photo me.    

Surprise photos on my phone:) 

I love this girl.  Amy Gretchen on one of our many walks through Providence.

LD and Xanthe focusing on the photography.  

Ramen!  A-MA-ZING. (at Ken's Ramen) 

At the amazing Providence Perfume Co.  
The owner has created with her life's passion, and you can tell is every detail of her shop.

New Friends!  The gorgeous Anita and I hit it off the moment we met. 

My absolute favorite model and dear friend, Bella.

Lovely evenings of tea and candles and heart to hearts.

Amy G and Xanthe comparing notes.  I loved learning from these ladies.

Getting Henna.  

A Special Moment.

At Peace.