The history of
Beeswax has a long and rich history. Greek mythology includes the legend of Icarus, who flew too close to the sun with wings made of feathers and beeswax, causing the wax to melt and for Icarus to fall from the sky. In 2015, a team of European researchers discovered the earliest uses of beeswax occurred in pottery dating back to 9,000 years ago in ancient Turkey, according to the journal Nature. Egyptians used it to seal tombs and mummify pharaohs. Ancient Romans used beeswax to make death masks and are credited for creating the first candle wicks. The Shennong book of herbs from China noted the anti-aging properties of beeswax in balms 2,000 years ago. Pounds of beeswax were also found in the wreckage of Viking ships. For centuries, the Roman Catholic Church used only 100% virgin beeswax candles. Beeswax candles have a soft glow that releases a sweet honey scent. They also burn cleaner, longer and brighter than paraffin candles. Another reason European churches used them was because beeswax candles emit little smoke when they burn, protecting historic murals, tapestries and statues from smoke damage. The art of making holiday ornaments from beeswax started in 15th-century Germany, when bakers making ornate springerle cookies used the molds to make beeswax figures. They were sold at German holiday street fairs. Hanging wax ornaments were brought to America by German settlers in the 17th century.
honey scent, and beeswax candles are noted for their long burning time. Lewis started crafting candles and ornaments when he realized he could make more money than by selling plain chunks of beeswax. To make the ornaments, the beeswax is melted and poured into molds, where it hardens to become decorative angels, gingerbread houses and Christmas moose. For the holidays, Bill’s Bees also makes leaf candles that f loat, and pine tree and pinecone candles. All the ornaments and candles are hand-dipped, with wicks added to the candles and hanging ribbons to the ornaments. This time of year, the ornaments are especially popular. “We do make l itt le ornaments with the molds because they look fun, nice,” Lewis said. “We start as early as October for Halloween decorations. We do little pumpkins. We actually made our own molds from real pumpkins.” Lewi s made the ornament s himsel f for many yea r s , unt i l an employee expre s sed intere s t in crafting them.
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