These seashell beeswax candles are perfect for Summer and are a fun way to make use of your shell collection! We use pure beeswax to make our candles and it is my favorite option because it is a natural, renewable resource. Look for natural wick as well that is made of pure cotton or hemp. The trick to making these is to choose shells that sit evenly when you place them on a flat surface, and to also not overpour the wax. If you are using larger seashells you can use metal sustainer tabs to secure your wicks. The seashells that I am using are small, so I’ll be adding the wick after the wax is set just enough to hold it in place.

Materials:

– seashells
– pure beeswax ( white or yellow )
– cotton candle wick
— a heat-proof container to melt you wax in that you’ve designated for crafting (I use this stainless steel pitcher) or a glass pyrex measuring cup
– something to place inside of your pot for your melting container to sit on top of, such as a metal cookie cutter or this silicone egg rack that we use
– candy thermometer (optional)

Instructions for making beeswax candles in seashells

Step 1: How to melt beeswax using the double boiler method

Place your heat proof container inside of a larger pot. For these candles I’m using a glass pyrex measuring cup and white beeswax in pellet form. Place something that is heat-proof under your container so that it does not sit directly on the bottom of the larger pot. This double boiler set up allows the beeswax to melt slowly and evenly. Fill the larger pot with water so that the bottom of your container is submerged a few inches. Place the beeswax pellets inside of the container along with the thermometer if you are using one. Heat the water and simmer over medium-low heat. You want your beeswax to liquify and reach a temperature between 150°F and 160°F.

Step 2: How to prepare the wick

Cut a length of wick for each seashell that is a couple inches longer than the final length that you’ll need. Dip the entire wick into the melted wax, letting the wax saturate the wick for a few minutes. Straighten the wick out and lay on a piece of parchment paper to cool.

Step 3: Pouring the beeswax

Place the seashells on a towel. Check that your beeswax is a a temperature of around 160°F. Carefully pour the beeswax into each shell until it reaches your desired height. Be careful not to overfill. Let the wax harden slightly, then add your wick to each shell. Straighten the wick if necessary. Let the wax cool and harden while being careful not to disturb it. Trim the wicks once the beeswax has completely hardened.

Leftover beeswax and cleanup:

Pour any remaining melted beeswax into a silicone mold to save to use again later. Use a cloth (designated for cleaning wax) to wipe up any remaining wax residue while it is still hot. If you’re using a designated melting pot or pitcher for just wax, you can also just choose to let it solidify inside of the pitcher and then stick it back on the stove to re-melt it at a later time.

A note on safety:

Trim candle wicks to approximately 1/8”, just above the surface of the wax before lighting. Never leave a burning candle unattended and children and pets must be supervised at all times when burning candles or when working with hot wax. Place candles on a dish to burn them.