Becky Hemby
Becky Hemby, Candlemaker - North CarolinaHow I make my candles:
The first step involves melting the wax for the candle making process. The next step involves pouring the melted wax onto core molds.
All of my molds are hand crafted, custom made molds of durable tin plated steel. I use zinc core wick, which is threaded through the length of the core mold, secured at the bottom with a wick screw and at the top with a larks head knot around a wick rod which rests across the top (opening) of the core mold. This wax has a melting point of 130 degrees and chemically is a loosely bound wax. It is at this stage that scent is added. I use only essential oils. After cooling, the cores are slid from the core molds, and wicks trimmed on top and bottom. The next step involves design. Cores are generally 1- 1 1/2 inch smaller than the finish molds. Each core is lowered into a finish mold.
I design, looking down, not having the advantage of actually seeing as I go. This means a lot of forethought and process building. Sometimes the materials I use allow me to pin them into the core, to secure a more precise design. After designing, finish wax (which is chemically bound more densely and has a higher melting point of 150 degrees) is poured to the top of the finish mold. Color may be added to the wax at this time if design mandates it.
After cooling the finished candle is removed from the mold. Using a propane torch, I melt away rough spots, smoothing over the surface with the flame. This technique defines the objects in the candle.
Because of this double mold process, all of my candles are refillable. Each candle comes with a candle care sheet and a book of matches. The care sheet gives instructions of how to refill and take care of the candle.
