AboutDodie Casey Expertise I am able to answer questions regarding: ceramics, beeswax candles, cleaning things from other things, working with wood/pinecones/etc. in the making of centre pieces & wall hangings. I also have a Christmas Village that is approximately 60 square feet in area & takes, at this time, 3 days to assemble for the Christmas Season, but only one day to take down. I also am a great baker & cake/cookie/cupcake decorator (I made my own wedding cake, my sister's for her 25th wedding anniversary, & for two of my friends weddings) & chocolate user for fancy stuff. I have done some small quilting projects & am starting something known as a "Farm Quilt". It requires taking pictures of people, animals & farm buildings on the farm you are using for a model. These pics are then transfered onto the quilt & "quilted" into it. Great fun! Great Family Heirlooms! I know a little about bisque, but more about ceramics. I also do sewing pictures. No, I do not do needle point. The pics are drawn & then various stitches are used to create a three-dimentional appearance.
Experience I have made many presents for others--Christmas, Birthdays, etc. Also, I sold crafts for several years. I have also worked with 4-h-ers for several years as a craft leader, goat leader, woodsman coach, & photography. Now, a friend & I have a business (more hers than mine:) making several varieties of pure beeswax candles. Not the cheepy ones you buy in the dollar store. We go through several hundred pounds of high-grade beeswax every year. It is more a natural, life-styles choice than just candles for burning. They are all natural in style although they take on various shapes as we learn more about versatility.
Organizations I am still a 4-H leader in crafts & gardening. "The Garden Bee" is the name of my friend's company. You can view it at www.thegardenbee.com on her website, should you so desire. Also, I have recently retired after 16 years of directing our Church Choir.
Education/Credentials I have a BSc in Psychology/Computer Sciences. As well, I have taken a couple of courses in ceramics & basic painting which have come in very handy over the years when doing various things with students & friends.
Awards and Honors Absolutely none, unless you count the numberous children & adults who have shown their gratitude for the teaching/coaching/helping/providing that I have done over the years.
Question hi. I have 2 questions. Firstly, do you know how to make a coil or rope candle with beeswax? You can literally twist the completed candle in a rope form.
Secondly, I have been trying without success to embed items such as coffee beans unto my candles. I am able to embed them inside the wax but that takes the smooth shape of the mold and so you hardly see the beans. What I would like to learn is how to actually stick the beans on the outside of the candle without having to hot glue them one individually.
Thanks
Answer Hi Karen:
In answer to your question one about rope candles: I have made a few of these, but they are extremely difficult to make consistently. If you are using molds you can't make them that way. You would have to have a large, high pot--I use a 2 1/2' X 2 1/2' wax melter, but you could use a canning pot. You would "prime" your wicks for dipping, then dip them approx. 20+ times, graduating the top of the candle so as to give it its narrowed top. You have to wait between dippings so as to let the wax harden enough to except the next coat. When all this is done, you must wait an appropriate time so that the candle is maliable but not too soft or too hard. Next you roll the candle out to approximately 1/2" in diameter. Then, starting with the bottom of the candle, you carefully twist it so that there is a full turn every 1 1/4".
As you can see, it is an extremely dicey practice. Since I sell them as a business venture, at craft fairs & in stores, a certain uniformity is needed; and, with this type of thing, it is nearly impossible to reach an exceptable level consistency. It was fun to make the few I did, so go ahead & try it, especially if you are only making them for yourself or friends.
As to your second question: Again, it depends on whether you are using molds or dipping. If you are molding, simply do a final dip in hot wax. After it has cooled enough to handle, dip the coffee beans in hot wax & apply them to the candle. They will stick out, perhaps, more than you want them to, but stick they will. You can also apply gems, glitter, dried or fake flowers or leaves, etc.
My favourite part of making beeswax candles is the scent when I have the hot was on, or after I have finished a day, the smell left on my hands. Working with the beeswax is also good for your hands--keeps them softer:) I would love to hear how you do with these two ventures. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to send them along. I will be happy to answer them to the best of my ability.
