Candle Moulds – Bear with Beehive

01 · WEIGH THE FIRST CANDLE

Why we do not take the figure at face value

The candle comes out 62 mm tall by 50 across. The full cylinder of those dimensions would be about 117 g of wax, and a bear takes up rather more than the quarter of that cylinder the maker's 32 g would imply.

So here are both numbers and you decide: count on somewhere between 15 and 30 candles a kilo and weigh the first one you make. In moulds from this range we have found the wax figure off more than once, in both directions.

02 · SIXTY-FIVE DEGREES, AND SLOWLY

The pour

The wax melts between 65 and 70 °C and is poured slowly: a fast stream drags air in and the bubbles stay inside the figure. The mould has a slit: before pouring, close it with rubber bands so the wax does not escape through the join.

Then cooling at room temperature and without moving the mould. No fridge. If the base or an edge needs tidying after demoulding, use a warm blade — cold, it chips.

03 · THE WICK NEEDS HOLDING

Centred top and bottom

The wick goes centred in the base and is held at the top, with a stick laid across or with a centring holder. The maker recommends a 3×7 wick for this piece.

It is not a minor detail: as it solidifies, wax shrinks and pulls on the wick. Unheld, it sinks or leans at exactly the point where the candle is beyond saving.

04 · WHAT WE WON'T REPEAT

About beeswax candles

You read that beeswax purifies the air as it burns, or that it releases negative ions. There is no support for that and we do not publish it — not here and not on any other mould of ours.

What is true is enough: pure wax carries no petroleum derivatives, it makes little soot compared with paraffin and it keeps its own colour and smell. For a beekeeper it is the way to turn surplus wax into something that sells on a market stall.

05 · BEFORE YOU BUY

This is the mould: