Narurally Colored Modeling Beeswax

I really like the modeling beeswax that is sold by Waldorf art supply sources. It smells wonderful ( I can't stand the smell of Play-Do), is easy to clean up, and can be used over and over. The only drawback is the price, so last night I made my own. So far, I only have 3 colors, but it's a good size supply and it only cost about $7 to make.


Modeling Beeswax Recipe

4 ounces of beeswax
1 teaspoon Lanolin
1 Tablespoon Olive Oil



Melt the wax, lanolin, and oil in a double boiler. A clean soup can, sitting in a small pan of water, works well for this and is just the right size.
Use a wooden skewer or popsicle stick to stir the mixture while it melts. For a natural beeswax color, nothing more needs to be added. Just continue stirring while pouring the mixture into a foil lined cake pan or pie plate ( the foil is optional, but it makes clean-up easier).



Let the wax cool for about a half hour, cut into wedges, and remove from pan.



For red wax, place 2 teaspoons of alkanet root in a small piece of muslin or cheese cloth and tie the bundle closed with a long string. Holding onto the string, lower the cloth bundle down into the hot wax mixture right after it is all melted.



Leave the wax mixture on the heat for another 5 minutes, stirring constantly.



Carefully remove the cloth bundle before pouring. I found it easiest to use a pot holder and carry the hot soup can over to the trash can to remove the alkanet bundle, because it was dripping hot red wax.

For orange wax, I remelted half of the batch of natural color and half of the batch of red and added a little cloth bundle with a 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric, following the same directions as for the alkanet root.



These are all good colors to go with the upcoming Fall season.





Modeling Beeswax is not only a good play-do substitute, it is also good for decorating candles. The wax will stick to other wax just by pressing.