One of my favorite stops at the Texas Renaissance Festival when we visited a few weeks ago, was William O’Neals booth--the Worshipful Company of Wax Chandlers.
Ever since I was ‘bitten’ by the candle making bug, I’ve been fascinated with how ‘experts’ make them.
I have made jar candles and show you how to do that here, But I’ve never made beeswax pillar candles. (He sells jar candles too.)
My sister, Heather, who took us to the faire with her and her husband, said she could get me some wax at wholesale prices. She uses beeswax in some of her herbal products.
I’ve got far too much on my plate, what with all the sewing projects that have piled up and Christmas just around the corner, to actually work on candle making at the moment. But I’m looking forward to making some beeswax candles in the spring.
If you decide that you, too, don’t have time to make your own candles for Christmas, like I did last year, then perhaps you need to contact him at jay@naturecraft.net His website, NatureCraft is under construction. The company is small so they aren’t taking orders on the website as they aren’t sure they could keep up with the demand. However, he will be selling at the Texas Renaissance Festival for the next few weekends…through Thanksgiving!
There is just nothing like the smell of pure beeswax candles..or perhaps you might want some soap..or other gift items from their shop. They use only essential oils for their products.
What I especially loved about William O’Neal’s demonstration, was the way he decorated some of the many candles he had already made. It was so ingenious..and creative!
He let me take a few pictures…but I promised not to show how he made the wax strips that he attached to the outside of the candle.
Once he had placed the curly strips in spots all over the candle to his liking, he held the candle by the wick and dipped it in a huge vat of hot melted wax to seal and affix the decorative strips to the candle permanently.
This man was a true artisan..and I felt privileged to get to watch him at work. Tim had to literally drag me away! You can watch a video of William at work here.
Have you ever tried to make your own candles? What are your favorite scents?
Happy Homemaking!
Happy Homemaking!
6 comments
How interesting! Bet it smelled heavenly too.
totally off topic ... I'm laughing about your comment on my blog because usually my friends are 10 years older (or 30!) but this season of life finds me with mostly younger friends. It's an odd shift.
BTW did you get the email I sent you? I guess I should have identified myself more clearly. Hope you figured it out.
I love candles and I bet the air around his place of work was filled with the scent of the candles. Awesome. Thanks for sharing. Have a great Thursday.
Donna, that was so interesting! I also went back to your blog post of your family and crafts, I was blown away by the talents from your Mom and Dad down to your children! YOU ARE AMAZING! Hugs, Kerrie
that was interesting. I love to watch folks make stuff too. I can imagine Tim dragging you away.
wacky candles..I like the ones tied with twine. We all went to a candle workshop over the summer and the kids loved dipping their own candles
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