How to Make a Simple Sealing Wax

Create attractive wax seals from household ingredients.

Sealing wax, though once a commonplace necessity for sealing letters and scrolls, is now a delightfully romantic symbol of times past. Unfortunately for many would-be wax seal enthusiasts, good sealing wax is sometimes hard to come by, and even colored candle waxes are generally too transparent to make for good sealing. Solve this problem by creating your own simple, but attractive and effective, sealing wax from a combination of crayons and paraffin candle wax.

Things You'll Need

• Crayons
• Crayon sharpener
• Unused tea-light candles
• Cheese grater
• Microwavable glass or ceramic dish
• Pot holder
• Toothpick

Instructions

1. Choose two crayons of colors that will mix well together. These should either be of the same color, similar colors or two shades of a primary color (red, blue or yellow) that will make a composite color together.

2. Gently tip the tea-light candles out of their foil holders. Turn them over in your hands and remove the wicks by tugging on the metal pieces attaching them to the bottom of the candles. Set the wicks back in foils, pointing up.

3. Remove the paper from the crayons. Sharpen them all the way dow- into shavings.

4. Use the cheese grater to grate one of the wick-less candles into shavings. Set the other candle aside for a different project.

5. Place both the candle and crayon shavings into the microwavable bowl. Mix them with your fingers.

6. Melt the wax mixture in the microwave. This will take between one and three minutes on "high," depending on the wattage of your oven. Remove with a potholder (the bowl will be very hot).

7. Stir the melted wax with a toothpick until the colors and uncolored wax mix together completely into a single, consistent color.

8. Pour the wax into the tea-light foils. Pour slowly to avoid frothing or splashing. Stop pouring before you cover the upper tip of the wick. Let the wax harden for one hour, or until it has become completely opaque.

9. Use the sealing wax by lighting the candles, allowing them to burn until some liquid wax pools, then gently tipping this onto the paper you want to seal. Wait about five seconds, then press the blob of wax with a seal.