Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Line a countertop or table with parchment paper.
- Using a large saucepot, pour 1-2 cups of boiling water into the pot. The water should be 1-2 inches high.
- Add the one cup of beeswax to a metal pour pitcher.
- Place the metal pour pitcher (with the beeswax) into the saucepot. The water will come up about an inch or two on the sides of the metal pouring pitcher.
- Using medium heat to keep the water hot, stir the beeswax with a wooden popsicle stick. Allow the beeswax to completely melt (usually 3-5 minutes). Being careful to not splash any water into the wax.
- Once the wax is melted and clear, remove the wax from the heat. Hold a leaf by the leaf stem and carefully submerge into the wax. Allow the excess wax to drip off and do not double dip.
- *Note: The beeswax will begin to get cloudy as it cools. If this should happen, place the metal pour pitcher (with the beeswax) back into the pot with boiling water and reheat until the wax is no longer cloudy. You will need to work quickly. Depending on how many leaves you are dipping, you may need to reheat the wax several times. If the wax is cloudy- the leaves will turn white when removed from the wax... as opposed to clear.
- Place the beeswax dipped leaf onto the parchment paper and allow it to completely dry. Keep the waxed leaves separate from each other while they dry, lest they touch and become connected.
- Once the leaves are completely dry, you are ready to use this in any of your fall crafts.
Notes
Note: Pliable leaves are necessary as dry leaves are too rigid. Pressing the leaves under a heavy book beforehand can be helpful.
You must work quickly so that the wax does not cool down too much while dipping your leaves.
Do not allow the beeswax to get cloudy as this will make the leaves look white when dry. Instead, heat the beeswax back up as many times as you need. The beeswax should be completely melted and not cloudy for the best dipping outcomes.
Store the waxed leaves in an airtight container in a cool dry place.