Before electricity, candles were the only light after sunset. For the Amish — they still are.
Materials
Beeswax: best. Burns bright, smells of honey, long-lasting. Own bees = free wax. Tallow: cheaper, but smells when burning. From beef fat. Paraffin: some communities buy it, but it's petroleum — not all approve.
Making
Melt wax in double boiler (60-65°C). Wick: cotton, braided, salt-treated (prevents smoking). Methods: dipping — wick dipped 20-30 times; molding — faster, more uniform.
Uses
Home lighting (4-6 candles per room). Kerosene lamps are brighter, but candles are backup and for bedroom. Sales: beeswax candles = $5-15 each at market. Scented (lavender, cinnamon) — more.
Fact
An Amish home uses 200-400 candles per year. At $0.50 cost and $8 market price — candles are a good side business for women.