DIY: Black Beeswax Tapers For The Autumn Table - Remodelista

Black beeswax candles are a Remodelista favorite all year round. (Yes, we even use them for summer dinner parties.) But at $10 or more a pair, indulging our noirish habit can get a little costly. So we wondered: How hard would it be to make them ourselves? I decided to give it a try. Here are the results, the instructions, and the final word: Was it worth the effort?

Photography by Justine Hand for Remodelista.

Materials and Supplies

Here’s what you need:

• Wax in an amount to fill your molds. I used Beeswax Bars from Ruhl Bee Supply; $9.95 per pound. I ordered two pounds to make 12 tapers.
• Black candle dye. I used liquid eco-friendly candle dye, also from Ruhl, which is no longer available; Liquid Dye from Candlewic.com is another good option; starting from $3.75.
• A double boiler. For an enamelware option similar to mine, try Etsy.
• A taper mold. I used an antique tin 12-taper mold procured on Etsy.
• Mold Release Spray, available at Ruhl Bee Supply; $10.95.
• Candle wick. Michael’s offers 50 yards of Flat-Braid Wicking for $21.99.
• Several sticks. I used three bamboo shish kebab skewers leftover from summer; chopsticks or pencils also work.

Step 1:

For 12 tapers, place two pounds of beeswax in a double boiler and heat at medium until the wax is entirely melted. (Use 1.5 pounds of wax for eight tapers, and so on.)

Step 2:

While the wax is melting, spray the inside of each opening with the mold release spray. Then turn your mold over and thread the wicks through the small holes in the bottom, leaving several inches of wick sticking out at both ends.

Step 3:

Tie knots to secure the wicks. Seal each opening with plumber’s putty or something like it—I used my kids’ Play-Doh.

Step 4:

Turn the mold back over. Form a loose knot just above each opening. Thread one stick through all the knots in each row. Keeping each wick in the center of its opening, pull and tighten until it’s taut. Repeat with each row.