How to Create a Wax Seal
A wax seal once was a common way to both seal and address a letter. The wax from the seal held the folded papers closed during transport, carried the signature of the letter writer and also ensured that no one other than the recipient opened the letter. Today, wax seals add a decorative touch to invitations and other correspondence as well as providing decorative use to scrapbooking and other crafts. Wax seal supplies are readily available at many stationary and crafts stores.
Instructions
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Fold the letter or paper to be sealed into thirds. Fold up the bottom of the paper up first, then fold down the top so that it overlaps the bottom by approximately 1 inch.
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Light a candle. Hold the wick of a sealing wax stick to the candle flame and light the sealing wax.
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Drip the sealing wax onto the letter, centering it over the seam where the top sheet overlaps the bottom sheet. Apply wax until it is approximately 1 inch across, or the diameter of a nickle.
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Press the wax stamp into the wax immediately, before the wax has a chance to harden. Push the stamp straight down and avoid pressing at an angle or twisting it. Hold the letter to the table with one hand, then lift the stamp straight up and off the paper. The wax hardens within 10 to 20 seconds.
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Tips & Warnings
Regular candle wax can be substituted, though it does not adhere to the paper as well and tends to harden to quickly.
Create your own wax stamp. Create your design in polymer clay and bake it according to the package directions. Glue the polymer clay stamp to a 4-inch length of wooden dowel.
Never leave a burning candle unattended.
References
- Photo Credit Stamp ant twin image by Mykola Velychko from Fotolia.com
