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Waxing Eloquent: About Beekeeping and Wax

1/18/2013

1 Comment

 
Picture
What are you going to do with all that wax?

This week we heard from Fred and Caroline about how to process wax and make it into various products.

Think about:
Candles (all sorts)
Wax Bars
Lip Balm
Hand Lotion
Creative Artwork
and more....

Picture
True Artistry takes time.  Caroline showed us the process to collect and process the bees wax.  First you have to sort the wax:  white cappings versus older, darker wax. Gently clean it with water.  Melt the wax in a solar wax melter or double boiler (Always monitor the wax when around fire, as wax is flammable). Be certain to keep straining the wax to keep the junk from getting into your final product.

Then use molds and castings to make your candles.  Note the coloring differences between the candles.

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If you are really patient, you can make some fabulous, award-winning creations, like this one!

Yes, those are rose petals made one by one, with beeswax.  If you come to the Illinois State Fair this summer, you will see even more of these on display.  Perhaps you can make something interesting and submit your honey or wax-creation entry to win a prize.  

Now's the time to be working on these creations, in between checking on your bees during breaks in the weather. 

Until next time!
tim

Picture
Illinois State Fair: Aug 8-18, 2013
1 Comment
Jason Kirby
1/18/2013 02:02:54 pm

In our industry...Aluminum Die Casting...We use beeswax on a regular basis to act as a lubricant when the aluminum casting sticks in the steel mold and we need to get it out to continue production.

It's funny to me that anytime we go to someplace like a craft fair or a farmers market and there are beeswax candles, all I think of is stuck part removal at work. So sad to have a beautiful scent take you back to work....GRRR!

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    Tim M (Bee Keeper)

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