Candle-Making Workshop
Just two weeks ago, the volunteers of the Neve Sha'anan Project gathered together on the 5th night of Hannuka to create beautiful candles from the fresh herbs grown in our very own garden.
An atmosphere filled with good music, delicious foods, lively spirits, and amazing people, it was most definitely a night to remember why we do what we do, and to be grateful for all that we have.
If you didn’t have a chance to join us at the candle-making workshop, we’ve put together a step-by-step in how to prepare and create beautiful candles of your own!
What you will need:
Glass Jars (Save your old ones from pasta sauce or pickles to use, and make sure to clean them!)
Tip: Shorter jars with wider openings make it easier to light as the candle burns
Wax Pellets
Dried Herbs or Essential Oils
Waxed Wicks (Ideally with some weight on the end)
Tip: If your wick is not weighted, tie a knot on the bottom to help keep it straight
Pencils or Skewers
Pot or Saucepan
Heatproof Bowl
Spices for Color (Optional)
Turmeric: Yellow
Paprika: Red
Cinnamon: Brown
Get Creative!
Thermometer (optional - for precision)
What to do:
Weigh out your wax - for every fluid ounce your container holds, you need 1 ounce of wax.
Put your weighed-out wax pellets into your heatproof bowl and place it in your pot/saucepan, filling the pot about halfway (up the bowl) with water. Bring the water to a low simmer.
The wax will look like olive oil when fully melted and will be at about 82˚ (180˚F).
If you’re adding essential oils, allow the wax to cool for a few minutes to about 60˚ (140˚F) before adding.
If you want to add color, add spices now, but keep it minimal as you don’t want your candles to smell too much like the spice!
Place the wick into your jar and layer the bottom with some dried herbs, my personal favorite are sage and geranium. Start to pour
the wax in, as you pour feel free to sprinkle some more herbs in there (but don’t go overboard, your entire candle with flame as it burns if you do)
Finally, set your candle aside and let it dry!
Tip: Put it into your fridge for it to harden faster.
Light and enjoy
written by: Lee Ortenberg
Edit by : shir kaydan
pics and videos: lee and lea (Volunteers)
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