SB Advent Calendar 2024 – Day 1 Balloon
December 1, 2024
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Introduction
Wax seals are a timeless and elegant way to add a personal touch to your cards, invitations, and crafts. Whether you’re new to crafting or a seasoned DIY lover, creating a wax seal is a simple yet sophisticated technique that can elevate any project. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to create your own wax seal, from gathering the necessary tools to the final application.
Required Tools
Before you begin, ensure you have the following tools and materials:
- Wax Sticks or Wax Beads: Available in various colors to match your project.
- Wax Seal Stamp: Choose a design that reflects your personal style or the theme of your project.
- Heat Source: This can be a wax melting spoon with a candle or a low-temperature glue gun.
- Spoon (if using wax beads): For melting the wax beads.
- Envelope or Paper: The surface where you’ll apply the wax seal.
- Ice Pack or Damp Cloth: To cool your seal quickly for a crisp imprint.
I like using the wax furnace and spoon in Spellbinders’ Wax Seal Starter Kit, and their wax seal stamps, and wax beads,
Wax Seal Steps
Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace
Ensure your workspace is clean and free from any clutter. Lay down a protective surface if needed to prevent any wax spills or drips. Hint: A silicone mat comes in the Wax Seal Starter Kit.
Step 2: Melt the Wax
- Using Wax Sticks: Light the wax stick and let the wax drip directly onto your envelope or paper. If using a glue gun, insert the wax stick and squeeze out the melted wax.
- Using Wax Beads: Place 2-5 wax beads in a melting spoon. Hold the spoon over a candle flame until the wax melts completely. If you aren’t using multi-colored wax beads, swirl the wax until it is completely melted. You can do this by moving the spoon with your hand, but I like to use the wood match that I used to light the furnace.
Step 3: Pour the Wax
Once the wax is fully melted, pour it onto the desired spot on your envelope or paper. Aim to create a puddle about the size of a quarter.
Step 4: Press the Seal
- Quickly place your wax seal stamp into the center of the wax puddle using it’s weight to make the impression in the wax.
- Hold the stamp steady for about 10-15 seconds to allow the wax to cool slightly and take shape.
Step 5: Remove the Seal
Gently lift the seal stamp off the wax. If the wax sticks to the stamp, use an ice pack or damp cloth to cool the stamp before pressing it into the wax.
Step 6: Admire Your Work
Allow the wax to cool completely before handling your project. You now have a beautifully crafted wax seal to enhance your card, invitation, or craft! Wax seals are beautiful on their own, however coloring the impressions adds an extra punch to them. You can do so with a metallic marker. Once the marker is dry you can attach the seal with an adhesive circle.
Pro Tips
- Experiment with different colors and designs to see what best suits your project.
- Practice on scrap paper to perfect your technique before applying the wax seal to your final project.
- For added elegance, sprinkle a small amount of glitter onto the melted wax before pressing the seal.
By following these steps and tips, you’ll master the art of creating wax seals in no time. Happy crafting!
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ABOUT AUTHOR
Teri Duncan
Teri has over 30 years of experience as a cardmaker. Her work has appeared in Spellbinders Paper Arts’ blog as well as with some of their products and on Altenew’s blog. Outside of work, she enjoys gardening, stained glass, and teaching. She and her husband live in Crystal River, Florida with their three dogs and a cat.
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