küunallõiked

Küünallõiked is a term found in Estonian craft and hobby discourse. It refers to small pieces or chips of candle wax, produced either as byproducts of trimming candles or collected from used candles for reuse in various wax-based crafts. The word is a compound form built from küünal (candle) and lõiked (slices or cuts).

Etymology and forms: The noun derives from küünal and lõige (cut, slice) in plural, and it is primarily encountered in informal or specialty contexts. It is not a standard dictionary entry in major Estonian language references, and its exact usage can vary between communities of candle-makers and craft enthusiasts. Variants may appear in spelling as küünallõiked or küünal-lõiked in less formal writing.

Usage and contexts: Küünallõiked are commonly discussed in relation to DIY candle making, upcycling, and decorative wax projects. They may be used as decorative fillers in resin or wax mosaics, melted down to form new candles, or incorporated into mixed-media art for texture and color. The term tends to be niche and pragmatic, rather than literary or technical.

Cultural notes: The concept reflects a broader craft practice of reusing candle wax remnants rather than discarding them, aligning with sustainable or crafty hobbies. Because küünallõiked lacks broad formal definition, practitioners often describe their own methods and applications in forums, blogs, or tutorial guides.

See also: candle making, wax crafts, upcycling wax, wax melts.