Set Of 10 Hand-dipped Myrtle Wax Candles
These hand-dipped candles (which come in a set of 10) are made by the Q’eqchi people of the Guatemalan cloud forests using natural Myrtle wax. Each small candle burns for approximately 1.5 hours, comes in assorted colours, and smells faintly of bayberry.
They make for a wonderful gift.
Handmade and Fair Trade!
These natural bayberry wax candles are handmade by a family business in central Guatemala. Similar to Bayberry candles made in the US, these candles are also made from a tree in the Bayberry family. The burning of bayberry candles is a tradition dating back to colonial times.
Settlers found that the wax had a fragrant aroma and burned magnificently - burning longer, cleaner, and brighter than other candles of the time. Therefore the barberry candles are saved and only burned on special occasions. The burning of bayberry candles on New Year's, in particular, has become a tradition, along with the phrase "Bayberry candles burned to the socket, bring health to the home and wealth to the pocket!". It is also believed that honouring someone by burning a bayberry candle in their presence creates a closer relationship.
Size
15cm tall and 1.27cm's at base
Each candle burns for approximately 1.5 hours and has a natural Bayberry scent.
How these natural wax candles are made
First, the family goes to pick the berries from the bayberry shrub. The verry-type fruit is crusted with a greenish white wax, which is udes to make the candles. In order to separate the wax from the fruit, however, the artisans must noil the berries in hot water, creating a wax residue on the surface. The process requires MANY berries in order to get enough wax! Finally, the artisans mix the wax with natural beeswax to hold the candle together. Each candle is made up of 90% bayberry and 10% beeswax.
How your purchase can make a difference
Your purchase supports a sustainable living wage for the 60+ employed women at the co-operative and their families, as well as funding for a full-day kindergarten through 6th grade school, daycare, and a Montessori-based preschool.
About the supplier
UPAVIM Wholesale is a self-run cooperative of women in La Esperanza, Guatemala that provides leadership opportunities, greater economic independence and education for the members and their families. It represents a colourful beacon of hope and pride for many in La Esperanza. Founded in 1989, UPAVIM Wholesale creates and sells colourful, handcrafted products for markets around the world.
Karakorum introduces you to artisans of the world and the beautiful stories behind their products. This ethical home decor brand is a joyous celebration of traditional crafts, small business and fair trade practices.
Karakorum is named after the former capital of the Moghul Empire, one of the most important cities on the Silk Road, despite its small size. Likewise, the brand is a small-but-mighty route for trade from around the world.
A scroll through the Karakorum collection is like looking into the shop window of global artisans. Find candles crafted in Eswatini alongside Indian throws, Moroccan lanterns and Guatemalan sugar skull mugs.
All Karakorum products have a special story and significance. Even more importantly, everything in the range is ethically made and sourced. That means the makers get a fair wage, there’s no exploitation in the supply chain, women are treated equally and the local community benefits from Karakorum’s trade.
Whether you’re after a memorable, meaningful gift or a piece you can show off in your own home with pride – the Karakorum collection is the place to find it.
