Behind the Products: Hand Dipped Candles

Retrieving the Hive and Harvesting Wax
The journey of a dipped candle begins with the careful retrieval of a beehive. Skilled beekeepers in rural Rwandan communities work with great care to ensure the bees are safe and unharmed during the harvest. Once the hive is retrieved, the precious contents – beeswax comb – are collected. This step requires patience, respect for nature, and an understanding of the bees’ delicate ecosystem.

Separating and Rendering the Wax
Once collected, the raw beeswax needs to be separated from the honey. Cutting off the caps and then letting the honey flow out of the honeycomb, through a sieve, leaving the wax behind.

The wax is then gently heated and strained to remove impurities before being rendered into a clean, solid block. This purified wax is the foundation for making high-quality dipped candles.

The Dipping Process
With the clean wax ready, the art of candle-making begins. Artisans melt the wax using a traditional double-boiler method: the wax is placed in a smaller pot, which is then set inside a larger pot filled with boiling water. This gentle, indirect heat ensures the wax melts evenly without burning. Once the wax reaches the ideal temperature, the dipping process begins.

A wick is carefully dipped into the molten wax, removed, and allowed to cool slightly before being dipped again. Each dip adds a thin layer of wax, gradually building the candle’s shape and size. The process is rhythmic and meditative, requiring patience and skill to create a beautifully smooth, hand-dipped candle. These candles burn cleanly, offering a soft, warm glow, and each one carries the story of nature’s bounty and the artisan’s dedication.