The Christmas Challenge. Beeswax wraps.

Recently I posted about how "everything old is new again" and that re useable things certainly cut down on costs and waste.  I had seen beeswax wraps over and over online, in shops and on blogs.  The general idea is that you can wrap or cover food with them and re use them for ages so that you are saving using plastic wrap.  Many people are also keen to keep plastic away from their food.
Jane made some as a gift. That was it!  I thought I will give them a try.  I could think of several people on my gift list that are into reducing waste/saving money/the environment/ natural alternatives etc. and these fit the bill for anyone in these groups!

Also .... I love a gift I can mass produce.  I ended up with a supply for myself, several gifts and a couple of spares.

First I ordered both beeswax and pine resin online.  While this was on it's way I watched for some fabric which I thought needed to be really nice. I chose this chicken fabric for myself and most gifts...

For my niece I chose this camping themed fabric as she is camping crazy...

There are a couple of methods to choose from but I basically followed this one at Mommypotamous.
Saying that... I followed it roughly. I used olive oil not Jojoba.  I didn't grate the beeswax either.  I figured if it is going to melt why grate it?  So I just let it melt.

I used an old baking tray I can afford to assign to craft projects.  I roughly portioned out the ingredients ready to melt.

I stayed in the kitchen, let it melt slowly, now and then I moved it around with a chop stick to get it mixed up.

I had pre cut my fabric to sizes I thought would make useful wraps. (and also fit into my tray)  I did square ones for wrapping snacks and round ones to cover bowls.   I used pinking shears for the edges to look nice.  (Although you wouldn't have to)

You have to be careful as you are dealing with hot wax. I would not do this with kids around!  You do not want to fill the tray too much or it will be hard to move the tray and not slosh any on the floor!

I would carefully remove the tray from the oven and place a sheet of fabric into the wax.  Submerge it and make sure it will covered both sides.  Then with tongs I would lift it up and let it drip dry into the tray for a little bit before laying it carefully and flat on to non stick baking paper to dry.

I would get a couple done then the wax would need to go back into the oven for a few minutes to re melt ready to carry on. 

When I ran low on wax mixture I would start again with more and wait for that to melt. 

I ended up with every surface covered in waxed fabric! 

Once it was dry it was great!  A flexible wrap that holds it's shape however you fold it...

The bowl covers fold around quite well.  For an air tight fit I would use a rubber band as well.

I really like them and they were pretty easy to do.  Mine have already saved me a lot of glad wrap and they look much nicer!

These were fun to make and I love having spares.  At least a few times a year I find it very helpful to have gifts to make in batches.  It could be making individual fruit cakes in muffin tins,  making up a tray of beautifully wrapped soaps...  anything that will suit a lot of people.  This just turbo boosts your gift cupboard fast!   Next week that will be our subject... how to quickly add a lot of gifts to your present cupboard.    Given the time of year this will hopefully be handy!

So far we have had a hot week with warm nights but it has just broken and it is raining!  This is a big help as the garden is getting watered.

I hope your week is going well!

I have had an email from a reader, Crafty Cristy.  Her husband has had a heart attack. He has now had surgery and is doing well.  They have a $10,000  payment to make before their insurance kicks in and she has a lot of worries over this.  So she has had a very stressful week.  She could really do with some prayers. She has implemented every saving tip she can think of along the way.  Thank you!

If you make any gifts in batches please let me know so I can include your ideas in next weeks post! xxx