WAX

The material

Wax is a flexible, natural or artificial material. The chandler works with a mix of animal (bee wax), mineral (paraffin wax), or vegetable wax. He works with different techniques. The melted wax is tinted in the mass.

For centuries, the craftsman uses the material for candles and church candles. Their straight or conical lines are obtained according the different techniques. Lightening has been the firts purpose of candles but today, it is used for religious, meditation, interior decoration or air freshner reasons.

The material is also handled in foundries through the techniques of “lost wax”. But today, craftsmen are using it as a creation tool.

Techniques

The craftsman has several techniques. First, he has to chose which one he will use. Then, he must pay attention to the raw materials by checking the temperature, formulating the scents and defining the coloring.

The master chandler has different fabrication techniques:

The dipping technique in which long wicks are plunged into a wax vat. Between each plunge, the wax on the wick needs to solidify. The maker proceeds to as many plunges as needed to obtain the desired volume/size.

The throwing technique where the candlemaker collects the material using a ladle and pours it onto each wick hanging above the vast. While the wax cools down on one wick, the maker proceeds to the same method with the others, until the desired diameter is obtained. This technique can also be used at the finishing stage.

The filling technique is preferred in order to craft candles made to be held in a container.

Finally, the molding technique supposes the use of a mold of a particular shape, chosen, designed or sculpted depending on the candle and the desired effect. It is the technique selected by our craftswoman, Mona Oren, who develops through her artistic practice an expertise of molding and imprint.

Through her creations, the sculptor takes up the challenge of overcoming the common use of wax as a flammable material and value it for what it is: flexible, malleable and delicate. Mona Oren has a very personal and creative approach, her favourite matter.