Wax Seals and Stamps

    Do you like to use wax and seals?  

        During the first few years of marriage,  I picked up a W seal (for my last name) and used it when I sent out cards and letters. I don't remember now what wax I used.

   Several years ago, I had found my stamp again and bought several handmade wax sticks from a seller on Etsy. She made them herself, and her packaging and colors were beautiful. I asked her if the wax would make it through mailing machines-she assured me it would. So of course I purchased several colors. No one ever said anything about the seal so I asked a couple people-they said what seal?  

  Lately I was experimenting with this same wax and the seal came off still, even though I also tried it inside the envelope. Turns out the wax she made is very very brittle and just will not hold up in today's mail system-she was making the traditional wax. I had thought I could use this up in my journal pages someway but playing with the seal, it pops right off the page. So of course I am bumbed.

 Sooo, this past Christmas I got a card in the mail with a beautiful seal on the outside of the envelope. Wow-so I contacted her right away-what did you use?

  Turns out one needs a modern flexible sealing wax, when you purchase it must say flexible. These waxes come in sticks that look like candles. or beads that you melt in a spoon, or even a special glue gun. It must say flexible though to make it through the mail. This company had good information here and I purchased their wax here

  I bought a couple colors, and one of my slow mail friends showed me a photo-your seal made it through-made me happy happy.

  Excited now that I can play with wax and seals again, I ordered a couple new seals from online. Two are coming from France, and another stamp that I fell in love with is coming from China-looking all over the net it seems to be only from China-so I broke down and ordered it too-found both shops on Etsy.

   Not sure how popular wax and stamps are now, but there is allot available when searching the net. Thinking there must be some new ideas out there using the wax I searched online and found some.

   I love the idea of sealing in herbs and flowers, combining wax colors, use on a gift package too.

videos I found: These are similiar but show different techniques on how to melt the wax, with ideas for using. I am an old fashioned girl so I enjoy using the wax sticks with the wick

Found this article from Martha Stewart, this one did not mention flexible wax. It could be that the more modern waxes are flexible-but I would ask the manufacturer to be sure.

Do you still enjoy melting wax and using a stamp for your letters or gifts??? I think it adds a personal touch and makes the slow mail letters extra special.

Sharing Links About Using Wax for Sealing Envelopes

   When I was browsing for a USA product for stamp seals I ran into Nostalgic Impressions-I had purchased my W stamp from them and I also purchased a Christmas stamp last year. 
   I try to purchase from the USA whenever possible and for some reason allot of the wax and stamps are coming from China when I check on Ebay and Amazon, so I needed to hunt online for non China companies. 

  I have shared that I found an Etsy shop out of Canada that makes her waxes the original way-I love them. The year I first used her wax all the wax seals stayed on the envelopes. This past Christmas most did not make it through the mail-I only know of one that did. So of course I was bummed out. I had contacted her about it-and she said the temperature needs to be right but she didn't give me the particulars. Also the traditional recipe for these waxes are more brittle and not as flexible as the newer waxes.
   I am thinking now perhaps I didn't melt enough wax and also I did not spread it out like the videos show.

  When I was browsing online for more information I was led back to Nostalgic Impressions-they have allot of information on their site.

This is their FAQ page-I had no idea there were so many different kinds of wax either To the left on this page-are more clickable links. I have no affiliation with this company-I am just happy with my stamp purchases and I love all the information on their site

Just found some interesting tutorials here from letter seals--and this company also sells wasabi tapes, and I love their melting spoon I like that idea for melting the wax over a soy candle, so may purchase one to try.
  Letter seals has some fun stamps-tea pot, spinning wheel, knitting-very fun This company's wax is made in the USA

This is a nice video link showing the dripping wax and then seal, or using a spoon.

I never would have thought of using a glue gun video here  this might be nice if you are doing lots of stamps  I like the old fashioned ways better.

   If interested in using wax and seals hope this information will help.



photo found here

My Sealing Wax Arrived Today-So Lovely

(photos will enlarge)

   When I opened up my package of handmade sealing waxes-wow it almost took my breath away-how lovely these were packaged--just had to share with you

  Here is the link to her shop on Etsy

  My stamp will not arrived for another week or so

Merery Christmas Happy Holidays & My Crafts

(found this as a stock photo online)

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   Merry Christmas everyone!
        Wow and Christmas Day is just a week away now. 
I have not done much at all this year-I usually make handmade papers for my Christmas cards but I did not do that this year. I decided to make papers and cards to welcome in the New Year or most likely Spring instead.
   Remember those sealing stamps and waxes?? I used to love using those back in the '60s. I decided to buy me a new stamp-lost mine over the years-which after hunting found a usa made one. and on Etsy I found handmade non toxic melting wax-so I am all set  I am excited about finding the wax and they are so beautifully made too

I think these will look lovely on my handmade papers.

   I am making progress on the threading of my weaving project-I was hoping to be finished by today but couldn't work on it a couple days do to being so dark (we have had no sun here) or to give my back a rest. I am just past the half way point though. 

   This coming week I will do some holiday baking and candy making-I enjoy doing it and reminds the two of us that it's the holidays lol  I will give allot of it away to a neighbor friend who has 2 twin teenage boys at home still. That's what happens when you are seniors with no family.  
    Very very cold here today minus 1 degree f with -15 wind chills so won't be going outdoors today except to feed the deer this afternoon.

Enjoy your holiday season!!