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Unique Bayberry Candles

© Kim Draper

The bayberry is a small shrub native to North America and found in sandy areas along the Atlantic coast from Maryland northward. It is sometimes called candleberry and wax myrtle. Bayberry candles are made from the waxy fruit of the shrub. These candles are dripless and their flame is brighter than any other. Bayberry candles can be made in commercial candle molds or you can make little floating candles in walnut shells. These little walnut boats can be placed in a bowl of water and will glow for over an hour.

Materials:

* Large aluminum pot
* 2 large coffee cans, smaller can such as a soda can
* Paper towel
* A grocery box full of bayberries with leaves and twigs removed
* Bag of walnuts (or candle molds) Candlewick
* A pan or cookie tin filled with a layer of sand

Instructions:

1. Pick out as many leaves, twigs and other debris as possible and pour the berries into the pot.

2. Fill the pot with water so it covers the berries by an inch or two. Bring the water to a boil and let it bubble for five or six minutes. Then, let this cool slowly at room temperature or leave to cool overnight. The wax will separate from the berries and float to the top.

3. When the wax is cool, lift it off the top of the water and break into pieces that will fit into the coffee can. Throw away the remains in the pot. The wax may still hold dirt and debris which must be sifted out before making the candles.

4. Place the coffee can filled with wax in a pan of water and heat on the stove at a low temperature.

5. As the chunks of wax melt down in the can you can continue to add more chunks. When the wax is melted it will have all the debris floating in it.

6. Place a piece of paper towel over the top of another empty coffee can so the toweling is slightly depressed into the can. Leave enough towel hanging over the edge so you can hold it against the outside of the can while pouring the hot wax through the filter.

7. Pour the wax a little at a time through the paper towel. Since the wax is cooling and solidifying as you do this, reheat the wax in the poruing can every so often. The hotter the wax, the quicker it will sift through the towel.

The copyright of the article Unique Bayberry Candles in Candle/Soapmaking is owned by Kim A. Draper. Permission to republish Unique Bayberry Candles in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.