[Elfsea] candlemaking from beeswax & etc.

[Jane Sitton]

Okay, here is what I've come up with so far on the topic of candlemaking
from beeswax, etc.:

Metal containers are not good.  The candle won't come out.
Dixie cups and coke cans are good.  They can be torn apart if the candle
doesn't come out.
Containers that will hold the candles are good.  I'm thinking small clay
pots or the like.
Dipping tapers is good. (I had already thought about this.)
Rubber molds, while they have worked well for some people, are expensive.
They made me wonder about period sources (I admit Dixie cups and coke cans
are nix on this idea.), and brought to mind sand casting... anyone know
anything about this?
Ice cube trays can be used to make small cubes of wax for waxing bow
strings.

Yes, beeswax has LOTS of other uses than candles.  Anyone who comes over &
plays with the wax is welcome to do whatever they wish with it.

As far as doing it at another location, that would be great except for one
thing:  the bees aren't very portable, and the premise of my original idea
was to learn more about the bees, then be able to fool around with the wax
afterwards.  I greatly appreciate the offer of the location, however, and
this is not to say that we couldn't do both.  Also, it is a possibility that
Logan would be happy to set some bees up at another location.  You wouldn't
have to fool with them, and would receive 1/10th of whatever honey & wax is
harvested for the use of your land.  Logan is going to be making more supers
& brood boxes this weekend at Polydore's; let me know if you're interested.

Waiting until the weather is cooler is a definite plus.  Also, I'm not
having anyone over until I'm sure they wouldn't freak out over my house,
which is in dire need of a thorough cleaning.  Logan is home with the kids,
but still recovering from surgery, and is pretty much unable to do any
housework.  I am still trying to get some help in that department.

Thanks to everyone for all the great ideas!  It will probably be September
or November when Logan and I get around to having a bee party.  We have
Brighid's 9th birthday this weekend and Lughnasad next month to contend
with.  Then of course, there's Defender....

Madelina de Lyndesaye