When I first saw @thestationeryselection May box sneak peek, my eyes lit up!
For so long I wanted to try wax seal stamps and with the Classiky x Seiko Okada porcelain stamp in the box, which can be used both with ink and with sealing wax, there was absolutely no excuse left! :)
So I began to research the topic - soaking in tutorials, watching videos of the sealing process and writing down tips and tricks from friends and fellow stationery enthusiasts on Instagram. I was busy learning and wanted to know what I was getting myself into! :D
So the decision was made - I just had to get myself some nice colors of sealing wax in advance (a girl has to have choices, right? :D ) and a traditional brass wax seal stamp with a wooden handle.
The choices were overwhelming! From simple, classic and affordable designs to extravagant, luxurious and expensive wax seal stamp that are just too good to be true. Whatever you end up choosing, rest assure - it won't be your only one! :D
When my supplies arrived, it was love at first pour of wax. The whole experience and the overall result is stunningly relaxing with a feel of luxury in the air. That was it - I was hooked! :D
So if you're heading down the same path and are interested in this wonderful finishing touch to letters, gifts or would love to use wax seals as a decoration in your journals and notebooks, here's a few tips and tricks that I picked up along my way and may come in handy if you're a complete newbie like me :)
Supplies:
1. Sealing wax:
There are different kinds and, of course, colors available.
You can choose pellets and sticks which you have to use with a spoon along with a heat source (candle, furnace or lighter), a stick with a wick you can light so the wax just drips from there (sometimes these kinds of sealing waxes leave a sooty residue in the wax. I kind of like it, but it's totally up to your personal preferences and if you would like to avoid it, go with pellets or a wickless wax stick) or even a stick that can be used with a glue gun!
There are also options regarding the suppleness of these wax which is convenient if you're interested in using bigger wax seal stamp designs. Supple wax is less brittle and can handle covering larger surfaces without chipping.
2. Wax seal stamp
This one is tricky becuse with all the lovely choices available out there, it's so hard to choose! :D
Big ones, little ones, intricate designs, simple motives, wooden handles or brass ones, porcelain stamps or even ones carved from lino! Good luck choosing! :D
3. Heat source
A lighter or a candle will do just fine but you can also find lovely little candle stoves that are convenient becuse they not only heat up the wax but also hold the spoon and are decorative pieces as well.
4. Spoon
If you opted for a wickles wax stick or the pellets, you'll need a spoon to melt the wax in. There are a lot of choices out there, they mostly differ in just the design but make sure the handle is long enough so it doesn't heat up and burn your fingers while you're holding the spoon and melting the wax.
5. Embellishments
This one is totally optional but so much fun! :)
You can embellish your wax seal further, during an after the stamping.
Just to bring up a couple of examples: you can color the raised part of the seal design after it's hardened with markers or special sealing metallic inks, add dried flowers before stamping for a romantic look or pour powders in the hot wax to add a pearlescent or metallic glow to the stamps.
Of course, the possibilities are endless and your imagination the limit so have fun and experiment :)
The process:
This step actually depends on the type of supplies you end up choosing and there are loads of video tutorials out there but just to add a few beginner level tips to help along the way.
Before melting and pouring the wax on a chosen surface you can trace your seal lightly with a pencil. This will give you a guide to where you want to pour or drip your wax on and also help you make sure that there's enough wax present to give a nice seal impression throughout the surface.
Also, you can make a small mark on the stamp itself so you know which way is up and don't end up with an upside down design in the wax.
After pouring the wax, you can stir the blob lightly with the tip of the wax stick or a convenient tool to remove any air bubbles that may occur in the proces of dripping or pouring and may distort the design.
When you put down your wax seal stamp it usually takes 5 to 10 seconds for the wax to cool and harden after which you can remove it and, if wanted, embellish the seal further.
And that's it, you're all set to go! :)
Have fun, explore, enjoy the experience and please share any ideas or tips you find along the way.
Until next time! :)
Petra
Link to process video:
You are a gift, I can’t find anything about wax seals that isn’t simply the process and nothing else! Thank you!
So beautiful Petra, they make everything look luxurious I think, thanks for all of the tips.