How-to Video for using sealing wax: link

[chud]

I haven't used sealing wax in years, mostly because of one major concern.

I often get mail that looks torn up by automated mail sorters, mostly bills with windows shredded.

Here in the U.S., will a seal go through U.S.P.S. without being torn off or jamming mechanical sorting equipment?

Decades past when I did use sealing wax it was always on hand-delivered items, never by U.S. Mail.

Experienced feedback appreciated.

 

I've received letters from others who've used it, and I've also seen how some of mine fared after a round-trip when something comes back as undeliverable. Sometimes the seals survive entirely intact, and sometimes they are damaged in some way by the machinery - scraped, pressed, or some combination of the two, usually. Although seals do get partially scraped off from time to time, I'm not aware that they've ever caused a problem with delivery, and they've never been damaged to the extent that their function of sealing an envelope has been compromised (it's hard to steam open a seal).

 

I use the Atelier Gargoyle flexible wax, and have been quite happy with it. Don't try to send traditional brittle wax through the mail though, unless inside a box; it will get crushed into powder most of the time. I've even had that happen when the seal itself was inside the envelope.

 

[Judybug]

I use the Atelier Gargoyle flexible wax, and have been quite happy with it. Don't try to send traditional brittle wax through the mail though, unless inside a box; it will get crushed into powder most of the time. I've even had that happen when the seal itself was inside the envelope.

 

How do you melt your Atelier Gargoyle wax? I just went to their website where I read that they recommend a torch lighter. The advantage - they say - is that you can direct the flame from the side of the wax stick so the wax drips where you want it - on your envelope. They point out on their website that if you hold a stick of wax over a candle, the wax usually ends up dripping on the candle. Anyway ---- I'm clueless about torch lighters. What IS a "torch lighter"? Are they talking about a butane cigarette lighter? If not, what ARE they talking about and where do you get one? I'd love to join the sealing wax party, but I get very frustrated with wax that's dripping everywhere except where I want it to be.

 

---------------------------------------------- OK, just went back to the Atelier Gargoyle site and I see that they sell the torch lighters here:

 

http://www.ateliergargoyle.com/pages/waxes/lighters.html

 

Has anybody used one of these?

 

Judybug

Edited March 31, 2009 by Judybug

[Inka]

You can get torch lighters just about anywhere.

Seeing you're in Louisiana, local Kangaroo gas station/mini-marts and Wal-Marts even carry them.

Get one where the flame comes out from the side, like that expensive one shown in your Link.

You don't need a $33 lighter for this task, even though I've not used Gargoyle wax I have used these lighters for electronic shrink-wrap.

You can even buy them at kitchen supply places, as they're often used to brown the tops of certain food dishes and pastries.

Just get an inexpensive one used for lighting pipes, like this one at BugStores.com...

http://www.bugstores.com/shop/images/169lighter.jpg

... that sells for @ $5-$6, as it should do the job nicely.

[Inka]

@ Judybug, again...

 

If you're going to be using a torch lighter on a regular basis, buying a quality one that's properly shielded against constant heat would be best.

I've bought things from KitchenKapers.com on many an occasion, as they have great prices and they ship out fast.

The best lighter would likely be something such as this one, used for making Creme Brulee and other dishes, and although @ $30 it should last you a lifetime.

Click here to veiw quality Torch Lighter

 

The Website is...

http://www.kitchenkapers.com/crembrulsetw1.html

 

I hope this helps.

[sajpens]

@ Judybug, again...

 

If you're going to be using a torch lighter on a regular basis, buying a quality one that's properly shielded against constant heat would be best.

I've bought things from KitchenKapers.com on many an occasion, as they have great prices and they ship out fast.

The best lighter would likely be something such as this one, used for making Creme Brulee and other dishes, and although @ $30 it should last you a lifetime.

Click here to veiw quality Torch Lighter

 

The Website is...

http://www.kitchenkapers.com/crembrulsetw1.html

 

I hope this helps.

 

 

Be aware.... If you are flying (in the US), you CANNOT carry a torch lighter on board. Regular butane lighters are acceptable, but torch lighters will be confiscated.

[Rena]

I also use Atelier Gargoyle wax but I do not use a torch. I prefer using matches. (Torches scare me ) In case you like this alternative, Atelier Gargoyle's website gives good instructions and the technique is really easy once you've tried it. You just need a candle, a matchbook of paper matches (tear out 4-5 matches before your begin) and an ashtray or dish in which to place your spent matches.

 

In essence, one hand will hold the stick of wax over the envelope (without ever putting it down) while your other hand will ignite matches in the candle flame and then hold the matches to your wax stick, one at a time, until your puddle of melted wax is large enough. They do a better job of describing this process and I urge you to read it from their website if you are interested. The following URL should take you directly to that section:

 

http://www.ateliergargoyle.com/pages/waxes/matches.html

Edited April 1, 2009 by Rena

[Judybug]

Here's another option for melting wax. http://www.customwaxnseals.com/MeltingPot.html I have a melting pot exactly like this one, but never thought of it for melting wax for seals.

 

Another idea -- I read a magazine article once that suggested making several seals on wax paper - let them cool - peel them off the wax paper and glue them to envelopes as needed. I know - this is sort of a fake seal, but it might be practical if I melt a melting pot full of wax.

 

Judybug

 

 

[pmorin]

Judybug,

You could also cheat and use the glue gun style wax in a mini (or full size) glue gun. Drawbacks are the time it takes to heat if you're only doing one seal, and if you go to change colours it takes a while to flush the old colour out and you get some interesting/ugly mixes. It is great however if you're doing a fairly large batch for something like wedding invitations.

 

I have a small torch, a full size torch, and both are good. The only trouble I've had with them is if the flame/pressure is up high and my aim is off I have splattered small amounts of wax. I most often use a bic lighter and sealing wax with a wick, or wooden matches. It takes a little longer, and you get some soot in the wax, but I like the colour change that creates. (I'm also working with what I can buy locally.)

 

I haven't used a melting pot, but imagine unless I was planning ahead, I likely would be waiting for it to warm up and melt rather than being finished.

 

 

[Chris Chalmers]

I haven't used sealing wax in years, mostly because of one major concern.

I often get mail that looks torn up by automated mail sorters, mostly bills with windows shredded.

Here in the U.S., will a seal go through U.S.P.S. without being torn off or jamming mechanical sorting equipment?

Decades past when I did use sealing wax it was always on hand-delivered items, never by U.S. Mail.

Experienced feedback appreciated.

+1

 

I got my sealing wax from http://www.AtelierGargoyle.com/ - tell themn I sent you! Their wax is wonderful, flexible and goes through international mailing systems with no problems. I seal every letter now with a brass seal showing my initials, although I'd love to get their 'bear' seal at some point!

[chud]

How do you melt your Atelier Gargoyle wax?

<snip>

 

I've used torch lighters, regular butane lighters, wooden kitchen matches, paper matchbook matches... they all work, though some are easier than others. These days I use a creme brulee torch (available at kitchen supply stores, Bed Bath & Beyond, etc.), but that may be a little bit of overkill.

 

I think the creme brulee torch or the torch lighters (which are essentially the same thing, the cooking version is just more heavy-duty) are the easiest because if there's any draft it can be difficult to keep the heat from a match/candle/butane lighter flame focused where you want it for very long. I actually haven't tried a candle - that might be more challenging.

 

But, it turns out that it's also not necessary to melt the wax so much that everything you need drips onto the paper. Melt it enough to get a couple of drops, and the end of the stick will be soft enough that you can press it (lightly) to the paper and get a spot of wax large enough without having to drip it all, especially if you have a smallish seal. Play around and experiment.

 

I once tried melting wax with the small heat gun that I got for working on pens. That was a good exercise in Not Thinking Ahead... The heat gun moves a fair bit of air in addition to providing a fair bit of heat, as the spray of small molten wax dots spread halfway across the page reminded me. Oh well. Sealing wax batik?

[Chris Chalmers]

I also use Atelier Gargoyle wax but I do not use a torch. I prefer using matches. (Torches scare me ) In case you like this alternative, Atelier Gargoyle's website gives good instructions and the technique is really easy once you've tried it. You just need a candle, a matchbook of paper matches (tear out 4-5 matches before your begin) and an ashtray or dish in which to place your spent matches.

 

In essence, one hand will hold the stick of wax over the envelope (without ever putting it down) while your other hand will ignite matches in the candle flame and then hold the matches to your wax stick, one at a time, until your puddle of melted wax is large enough. They do a better job of describing this process and I urge you to read it from their website if you are interested. The following URL should take you directly to that section:

 

http://www.ateliergargoyle.com/pages/waxes/matches.html

 

Hi Rena!!

I'm having great success with the little kitchen torch I bought - and you should be getting yet another example of my seal in your letterbox any day now!

 

[Rena]

Hi Rena!!

I'm having great success with the little kitchen torch I bought - and you should be getting yet another example of my seal in your letterbox any day now!

 

Hi Chris

Wonderful — I always look forward to your letters! Thanks, Chirs!!

 

 

 

[ShadowWriter]

Previous references to mailing problems valid. I once worked for postal service (sorted mail rejected by automation). We all felt bad when we saw loose wax seals in trays.

 

I wasn't aware that there are different types of wax. Occasionally, the "hand sort" requests were accidentally overlooked (not very often, tho'). I am pleased to find out that some members have success regardless of how their letters are processed. Needless to say, it is wise to request hand sorting if letter to be sent is important to you.

Sources of wax and melting advice greatly appreciated. Thank you!

 

 

 

 

[kiavonne]

I love seals and sealing wax.

 

I have been getting my sealing wax from Altelier Gargoyle, as others have recommended. Their colors are rich and deep. I never thought I'd like gold or silver or copper colored waxes, but there is just enough variation in the wax itself to make for some really lovely seals. I also have a sampling of several other colors.

 

I've always liked seals and the idea behind sealing wax. And in modern times, it's still a great way to end a note or seal an envelope.

 

My problem has been with getting an actual seal. The modern seals are all so... common. Everyone whose first initial is K has at least one of those 3 or 4 available. That rose and that quill pen and paper have been around for-evah. I wanted my own seal, of my own design idea. Sure there are some laser engravers out there, and I've tried one or two. But it just wasn't quite what I was looking for. I longed for a deep, detailed impression that would leave an impression, so to speak. So, I currently have an order in with Dexter. Expensive? You bet. But I'm banking on it being very much worth it for what I want. The dollar is slightly better against the pound (not much but every little bit counts), so I maybe saved around $200 for a custom design and seal. For what we spend on pens around here, the amount I paid didn't seem too much.

 

Do a search of sealing wax in this forum, and you'll find many more threads (including an attempt at a compiliation) about seals and sealing wax.

Edited April 6, 2009 by kiavonne