Beeswax-Candles

Cross Creek Honey

crosscreekhoney@gmail.com

Faberge Egg

7.8 oz Burn time 48 hrs.

$10.00

Cross Creek Honey Candle Co.

Why Does the Beeswax Have Different Colors?

People are always asking why the candles are different colors and if they have been artificially colored. The answer is NO. When the bees produce the wax from tiny glands in their abdomen, it is very thin, like flakes, and it is snow white. The color comes from the pollen that finds its way into the wax cells which the bees have made by chewing the wax and then forming it into cells. Since there is always some pollen on the bee’s legs, the pollen gets into the wax, and there you have the color. The wax is different shades depending on what was the nectar flow at the time the bees were foraging. For example, when the bees are foraging in the orange groves, the pollen is very beautiful light yellow color. If the bees are foraging on gallberry or palmetto or any number of other nectar flows, then the wax will be other colors. In some parts of the U.S. there are typically only one or two nectar flows, so they don’t have as many colors of wax, but here in Florida, our many nectar flows provide us with many beautiful colors of wax. Unlike paraffin candles which can be used as permanent decorations in the home, beeswax candles will not always remain yellow. As the pollen disintegrates, the wax goes back to its original color which is snow white.

What is Beeswax?

Beeswax is a natural product produced by worker honey bees from special glands in their abdomen. The bees then, using their mouthparts, chew the comb to form six-sided hexagon cells that cover the frames in their beehive. It is estimated that bees must fly 150,000 miles to produce one pound of wax. Bees must eat about six pounds of honey to secrete a pound of wax. For every 100 pounds of honey a beekeeper harvests, only one to two pounds of beeswax is produced.

Beeswax candles burn very slowly, have a very bright flame, and smell deliciously sweet, a simply pure, all natural fragrance. The true beauty of a beeswax candle is not in its appearance but rather enjoying its pure, all natural fragrance.

What is Bloom?

You may notice a dusty looking substance on the surface of the candles which is called “bloom”. It is a naturally occurring substance on all beeswax candles after they have been aged for a period of time or changes in the temperature. It is desired by many people as it gives the candle a very “antique” look, and only beeswax will develop it. If desired, it may be rubbed off with a soft cloth. If you find a candle that does not bloom, it is most likely blended with paraffin, soy, or palm wax.

Did You Know?

Candles, one of the earliest sources of light, have played a crucial role in history. Without the precious flame to extend the daylight hours well into the night and to illuminate the halls of humanity, doctrines might not have been written, physicians on the brink of discovery might have befuddled their formulas in the dark, and entertainment would have stopped at sunset. Over the centuries, beeswax candles have adorned the walls of ruler, light cathedrals, played integral roles in religious ceremonies and lit streets and shops. The candles have even been used to keep time. In coal mines, less than half a century ago, beeswax candles marked with 12 lines, one for each hour, burned steadily to record work shifts. Beeswax was also one of the first ingredients used for making candles; recognized since ancient Roman times and subsequently by many other civilizations for its effective aromatic burning properties.

9 oz Burn time 50 hrs.

$10.00

Lrg Buzzing Bee Skepp

Refined Bulk Wax

1 pound Refined Bulk Wax

$15.00

Moose

$4.00

Nancy Gentry, a retired English professor (seated in the rocking chair!) has been keeping bees since 2005, first as a hobby and then in 2009, along with her family, she started Cross Creek Honey Co. These days, she lets her son Nicholas tend the bees while she makes the beeswax candles. Nancy pours about 5000 candles each year and is the largest beeswax candle maker in Northeast Florida. Her candles are very reasonably priced, and she offers the largest assortment of beeswax candle designs on the Internet. Candles purchased from Cross Creek Candles are 100% pure Florida beeswax, and each candle is hand-poured by Nancy Gentry.