Scraps of Modeling Beeswax

What to do with scraps of modeling beeswax? Beeswax is so lovely -- and expensive -- that I never want to waste any of it. We use small amount of beeswax pastilles in DIY Lip Balm and ends of old birthday ring candles in lanterns for Lantern Walks.

Now we are studying Norse Mythology and I'm facing the question of what to do with scraps of modeling beeswax.

We modeled swift mercurial flame-like Loki out of golden modeling beeswax, an idea from p.76 of Arthur Auer's Learning About the World Through Modeling (available FREE at the Online Waldorf Library as a PDF here).

Today we will make watercolor paintings of our Loki figures using metallic gold watercolor paint and small pieces of watercolor paper.

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When you work with modeling beeswax, you warm it in your hands until it is soft and pliable. Then you create your form by pulling out from the center. You DO NOT break off pieces and then try to reattach them to the whole. It does not work! Over the past 30 years of teaching, I have had many many many students not believe me, and break apart the wax. Therefore, for the past 30 years, I've been collecting scraps of modeling beeswax. What to do with them? Do I add them to the beeswax cans the next time we make dipped candles? Do we melt them all together and pour an earth candle?

My preference would be to try to soften and blend the colors but have them stay modeling beeswax. I think we will sort them into piles of similar colors and then I will melt them slowly in a double boiler (one that is set aside for crafts) and stir the wax until the pieces have all blended. Then I think I will set pancake rings on some parchment paper on a cookie sheet, and see if the wax cools into thin circles. I have read that you can also add a few drops of olive oil to make the modeling beeswax more pliable.

I will let you know if I try this out and, if so, how it goes! Let me know if you have other ideas as well. How do you use your scraps?

One more note: Instead of forming the beeswax into balls and putting it back into the basket after using it, I recommend flattening it out into thin circles. This way it is easier for the next person to warm it through quickly.

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