Hot Mess!

     Had my delivery of beeswax for a couple of weeks now and I have been doing my research on how to render/filter them. Upon opening the box, the scent of honey hits you- mmm...

     I tried the double-boiler method one small pot on top of another. I started my first batch of beeswax and poured it into the 2L juice box (I just cut off the top). Unfortunately, it wasn't waxy enough so the wax did not come out so cleanly. I had to re-melt. Fortunately I used two more containers and there were far more successful. One tub used to hold cheese and one from bulk barn.

     Watching meticulously the melting of the wax, adding more puck of wax and stirring away... and then the top made a sudden tilt, and then ooops! My husband watched me  patiently, handing me a scraper. Got sidetracked- Bah! Nothing like cleaning up wax on your cooktop.

     Finally after some sustenance (ate my dinner), I returned to my double-boiler and melted away. There is truly nothing more satisfying than pure beeswax, golden, honey-scented and filtered.

     I immediately took advantage of the newly-melted wax and made a cutting board salve:

1oz. Beeswax
4 oz. Sunflower oil

Place both in a mason jar and melt inside a pot with at least 2 inches of water. Once the beeswax is melted, take it out of the hot water and let it sit on the counter. Still occasionally and eventually it turns opaque.  Now it's ready for use.

     I treated our new cutting board, wooden spoons, and used the salve itself for my arms and legs. The best part? It does not leave any oily residue! Winner, winner, Chicken dinner:)


Sunflower oil



Measuring the Beeswax

The Past
More than a decade ago my best friend asked me what I wanted for my birthday. This was during the days of my crafting and decorating my friends' weddings. Ah...the single life...

So, I asked my friend to get me a soap making book.
Really?
Oh yeah.

Question is, did I read it? I did. Did I make soap out of it? Nope...

The Present
I didn't really think much of it again until the end of June this year when my colleague at work invited me over at her place to make soap.

Really? Can I bring my daughter with me and we could learn from you together? Is that ok?
Oh yeah.

This experience reminded me of the fun days of sitting with friends and just making something beautiful and memorable. Bonding while creating was something I had forgotten to do to feed MY CRAFTY SOUL. I have forgotten this side of me as I prioritized the many hats I wear in life. Let's just say, this soap making "party" got my juices going.

I am a hand-on type of person and I like seeing how things are made, as supposed to reading about it. My colleague's gift to me is the inspiration of making some wholesome, hand-made, custom-made, and just plain good for my body, mind and skin.

The Future
It's been a month after the day I picked up the curing soaps and I inhaled deeply the sandalwood scent we collectively decided to put in. Admired the natural colour with swirls of purple weaved throughout.

The verdict?
I want to make more!
Oh yeah.

So far I am slowly making purchases to build and collect my first set-up. Looking and perusing over sales and websites, making notes and reading soap-making books from the library. I feel like I am a teenager again who dream, sketch and plan my myriads of ideas.

I just can't wait for more.
Oh yeah.