Beeswax Luminaries Bowls

Creating handmade beeswax luminaries infused with pressed flowers and leaves is a perfect way to honor and celebrate the solstice. These beautiful bowls not only serve as a reminder to shine our inner light during the winter months, but also serve as a way to connect with nature and the cyclical patterns of the seasons. The process of pressing flowers and leaves adds an element of nostalgia and allows us to reflect on the beauty of the past while looking forward to the promise of new growth in the coming year. These luminaries make for a meaningful and mindful DIY project that the entire family can participate in. A beautiful and eco-friendly way to bring the spirit of the solstice into your home.

Materials needed:

1 lb of beeswax

Pressed flowers or leaves for decorations (or bits of kite paper/tissue paper/pretty fabric)

Glue and a paint brush

Tea lights

Avocado for a mold (or other fruit like mangos that can be scooped out with skin kept intact, you will peel this out at the end. We used avocados & mangos this time.) 

Double boiler to melt the wax

Baking sheet lined with foil or parchment

Method:

Melt the wax in a double boiler. Be sure your container is wide enough to dip the fruit and there is enough space at the top so that the wax does not overflow when dipping.

While the wax is melting prepare your fruit. Cut a ring around the narrower end of the fruit & scoop out the inside so that you are left with an empty bowl. 

Hotter wax will give you thinner coats and cooler wax thicker coats so adjust the number of dips if needed. 

After cooling the bowls you will be ready to add your decorations. Paint a small bit of glue on the wax and add the flowers/leaves/other decorations.

Dip the bowl in the wax one last time to cover & secure everything in place.

Gently peel out the fruit skin.

Warm a baking tray lined with foil or parchment over a just warm burner. Gently press the top and bottom edge on the warm pan. Set your bowl on a flat surface to be sure it is stable.

Add an extra spoon of wax to the inside of the bowl to ensure that the base is thick.

Cool and add your tea lights.