Wax Seals

Martha Stewart

Get the look of a classic wax seal without playing with fire. Special wax sticks are made to melt in a glue gun -- no open flame necessary -- making it easy and safe to turn out lots of the charming little disks in your favorite colors. The stamps come in letters and many other motifs. Make a bunch of the seals and you'll be ready to personalize all kinds of envelopes, presents, and parcels for the holidays.

A wax seal is a great way to adorn a hand-delivered envelope (mailing it is not recommended).

Tools and Materials

•     Nonstick baking mat, such as Silpat
•     Glue-gun sealing-wax sticks, in assorted colors
•     Hot-glue gun
•     Metal seal
•     Craft glue

How-To

1.     Place a nonstick baking mat on a flat surface.
2.     Place a wax stick in a glue gun, and melt several drops of wax about 1/2 inch in diameter each onto baking mat.
3.     Using a metal seal, make an imprint in the wax. Repeat.
4.     Let wax seals cool and harden, then peel off.
5.     To attach to envelopes, place cards, or packages, apply a dot of glue to back of seal; affix.

Brass wax seal stamps, custom-design wax seal stamps, and glue-gun sealing wax, in Antique Gold, Sapphire Blue, and Metallic Silver; nostalgicimpressions.com. Waxed linen thread, in Turquoise and Natural; caning.com. 4 Bar envelopes, in Lake; paper-source.com.