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Book Review: Candlemaking the Natural Way

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Even if you had no desire to learn how to make candles, the sheer Martha style eye candy among this book’s pages is enough to make you treasure it. If you are looking to learn candle making, this book offers a wide array of techniques, full color step by step photos, and plenty of choices. Whether it’s soy, palm or beeswax you want to work with, there are a total of 31 projects ranging from simple to the more complex.

I am not a candle maker, but after reading through this book I’m certain that I could easily get started and try my hand at making some. Author, editor, photo stylist and craft enthusiast (phew!) Rebecca Ittner, along with the help of 8 talented candle designers, guides you through this lovely book filled with inspiring projects.

The book is broken down into six chapters, the first one covering the types of materials and tools you will need to successfully create beautiful candles. The second chapter focuses on the different techniques involved, incuding melting your wax, adding color and fragrance, making molded and container candles, rolling beeswax candles, working with wicks, and more.The remaining four chapters include how to instructions and step by step photos of making beeswax candles, palm wax candles, soy candles, and finally, upcycled candles.

There are some really pretty creations in here, makes me want to get started in candle making myself. With clear and concise instructions, this is a great choice covering a delicious sampling of shapes and styles. If I do take up candle making, this will definitely be in my library.

This book is available at your favorite book store or online at Amazon.com >> Candlemaking the natural way

 

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Comments

  1. I make soy container candles for my family. I can tell you that once you make your first batch
    you are hooked!!! It is a wonderful hobby.
    Have a great day
    Shirley

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Have you read?

Building with Nature: My Experience with Natural Birdhouses

If you’re someone who enjoys DIY woodworking projects and has a soft spot for garden wildlife, Natural Birdhouses by Maria and Amen Fisher is a must-read. I picked this book up recently and have been completely inspired by the earthy, sustainable approach it offers to building homes for birds, bats, and even beneficial bugs.

What really drew me in was the focus on using found wood and natural materials—think branches, logs, reclaimed boards, and other bits of nature you can often source from your own backyard or a nearby forest. Not only does this make the projects eco-friendly, but it also gives everything a beautiful, rustic feel that blends effortlessly into any garden or backyard setting.

The book includes 25 step-by-step projects, all clearly explained and illustrated, which makes it accessible for both beginner and seasoned crafters. Even if you don’t have a fully-equipped workshop, most of these can be tackled with just a few basic tools and a bit of patience.

I started with a simple birdhouse design, using some weathered fence boards I had stashed in the shed. The instructions were easy to follow, and I was surprised how quickly it came together. Within a couple of days of putting it out in the garden, a curious little sparrow showed up—talk about instant reward! I’ve since bookmarked the bat box project and one of the insect hotel builds for next weekend.

What I really love about this book is that it’s not just about crafting; it’s about encouraging wildlife and creating a more natural, welcoming habitat right in your own yard. It’s a great way to involve kids, too—mine were fascinated by the idea of building a bug hotel and couldn’t wait to help collect materials.

If you’re looking for nature-inspired DIY garden projects that not only look good but also serve a purpose, Natural Birdhouses is full of ideas that check all the boxes. It’s creative, environmentally conscious, and a great way to spend time outdoors while giving something back to the ecosystem.

I’d definitely recommend this to anyone into sustainable gardening, backyard birdwatching, or rustic outdoor décor. Let me know if you give it a try—I’d love to hear what you build!