Craft Gossip

Independent craft blog since 2007

Complete guide to Beeswax candles and how to get started

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Making candles became very popular during lockdowns and isolations, but one thing no one ever tells you is how messy traditional melt and pour candle-making can be.

Did you know you can make candles from beeswax sheets? You simply roll the sheet around the wick to create a tapered candle or a pillar candle. They are so easy to make.

 

Beeswax sheets are perfect for anyone who wants to make candles but can not use or be around hot wax.  Beeswax sheets are great for children, the elderly, or anyone with mobility issues.  Beeswax sheet candles burn slowly and smell amazing too.

Beeswax sheet candles are durable, non-toxic, and environmentally friendly. In addition, they burn brighter and give off a subtle honey smell, eliminating the need for toxic fragrances.

So what are beeswax sheets?  Wax foundation sheets or honeycomb bases are made of natural wax.  they are used in beekeeping to give the bees a foundation on which they can build the honeycomb, but they are used for making candles too.

If you are looking to get started in beeswax candle making from beeswax foundation sheets, here are my top tips on what you need and you can follow along with our youtube video.

A sharp craft blade is important for cutting the wax, you may also need to clean the blade between cuts to prevent the sticky wax from sticking to the blade. Baby wipes work great for this. You will need a clean cutting board to roll the candle along and warm hands or work in a warm environment. Cold foundation sheets will not roll, it is all about finding the balance between hot and cold to find a great working environment.

Beeswax sheets come in different colors and you can also use the sheets to form flowers and press the designs onto the base of a plain rolled candle.  Cookie cutters work well for cutting out the designs to place onto the candles.

 

You will also need some candle wick, or purchase a starter kit that contains everything you need in one package. These starter kits are perfect for gifting to friends and family.

Beeswax candles make quick and easy add on’s to homemade gift baskets, simply wrap them with some jute string or brown paper for a rustic handmade finish to your gift boxes and gift hampers, add a little plastic resin bee for decoration.

 

 

Have you read?

Fox and Rabbit Cross Stitch: Free Sampler Patterns and Tips for Getting Started

Some cross stitch designs make you think, “That’s lovely.” Others have you rummaging through the thread drawer before you’ve even finished looking at the photograph. If traditional samplers, decorative borders and stitching with a sense of history are your weakness, Fox and Rabbit cross stitch is well worth a look.

Fox and Rabbit Designs is an Australian business specialising in reproduction samplers, original designs with an antique feel, and hand dyed linen. Think of the sort of needlework you would happily hang beside a favourite old cabinet or a collection of vintage sewing treasures.

There is also a free mystery sampler to explore, which makes a rather tempting excuse to start another project. As though the basket beside the sofa needed encouragement.

What Is Fox and Rabbit Cross Stitch?

Fox and Rabbit is the designer’s name, so searching for their patterns will lead you to much more than woodland animals.

Their sampler designs are particularly appealing if you enjoy traditional needlework. Reproduction samplers offer a connection with an earlier stitcher, while antique-inspired designs bring that old-fashioned character into a new piece.

We previously explored some of these historical designs in our feature on Fox and Rabbit reproduction cross stitch samplers. It is a lovely starting point if the stories behind the stitching interest you as much as the finished design.

The Free Fox and Rabbit Mystery Sampler for 2026

The 2026 Fox and Rabbit Mystery Sampler, called AI 1664, is released in monthly sections. The full design measures 135 stitches wide by 245 stitches high, and each monthly chart includes the previous sections.

That cumulative format is useful if you discover the project partway through the year. You can download the latest available chart and work at your own pace rather than trying to stitch fast enough to catch everyone else.

You can find the downloads and supply information on the official Fox and Rabbit 2026 Mystery Sampler page.

Download timing matters: Fox and Rabbit states that the design is free until midnight Sydney time on 31 December 2026. From 1 January 2027, the download will cost US$10. Save your copy while the free offer is available, even if stitching has to wait.

Can You Stitch the Sampler on Aida?

Yes. The designer’s notes explain that the 2026 sampler uses full cross stitches and backstitch, making it suitable for Aida as well as linen. It is offered in a single-colour version and an alternative three-colour arrangement.

That gives you room to choose a fabric you can comfortably see and count. There is no prize for struggling with tiny holes under the living-room lamp.

If you are returning to stitching after a break, our guide to learning cross stitch points you towards help with supplies, chart reading and getting started.

Although the stitches are straightforward, this is still a substantial counted project. A small practice piece first can help you settle into an even tension before committing to a larger sampler.

Choosing Fabric for a Traditional Cross Stitch Sampler

Before buying fabric, check the chart’s stitch count, recommended materials and finishing allowance.

For Aida, dividing the stitch count by the fabric count gives the approximate stitched dimensions in inches. Leave additional fabric around every side for handling and framing. Our explanation of how big your cross stitch fabric should be walks through the calculation.

Lay your chosen threads across the fabric before starting, particularly if you are changing colours. A pale thread that looks beautiful on its bobbin can almost disappear against a light background.

I would also keep a note of the fabric name, count and thread choices with the chart. Future you, standing in front of the framing counter, will appreciate it.

Make a Large Sampler Feel More Manageable

A sampler does not need to become a stitching deadline. Try approaching it one small section at a time:

  • Check your counting before repeating a border mistake across an entire row.
  • Mark your place on a working copy of the chart.
  • Keep the project’s threads together in a labelled pouch.
  • Photograph your progress occasionally so you can see how far you have come.

Most of all, choose a design you want to spend time with. A traditional sampler can be a slow, satisfying companion through quiet evenings, rainy weekends and those moments when you would rather count stitches than look at another screen.

Browse the official Fox and Rabbit website for their designs and fabrics, and let yourself enjoy the choosing. Just remember to check the size before declaring it a “little project.”