This week as one of my newest projects, I decided I wanted to make a wax seal. Now, there was a long train of thought behind this, but in short, I’m working on a journal series involving my original characters! So, I wanted to create a wax seal for one of my newest characters Jeremy Runes. However, with this design, the possibilities are endless!
This post contains affiliate links that I have the potential to make a profit from at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!
The Basic Plan For The Wax Seal
One important thing you need to remember when making a wax seal, is that the design will be reversed on the stamp. So the idea with this project, was to create a design with wire, then press that wire into clay. This way the actual seal would be the right way when used, not reversed.
Now the only supplies that are really needed for this project, were the wire and clay. However to create a few of the smaller curves in the cursive lettering, I used the tool shown below. That just made a more perfect shape though. This project was definitely doable without any tools. Finally, I drew a connected cursive J and R on a piece of paper to have a good model by which to work.
Bending The Wire For The Wax Seal
This was one of my favorite parts of the whole project. Once I had the cursive letters written out, I was able to follow the shape and recreate it using wire my grandmother gave me! I did most of the shaping by hand, then used the tool mentioned earlier to get the smaller loops in the R.
I was worried about getting the wire out of the clay once I had squished the two together though. So, I made sure to bend either end of the J R up. This way, when the two were squished together, I would have something to pull them apart with. Plus it would add to the design!
Creating A Clay Handle
I really need to stop choosing red. Every time I use it, my hands look like a crime scene afterwards! Anyway, I created my handle using a red polymer clay. With the design, I made sure to create a well rounded top for the handle, then a wide base for the J R to be pressed into. Not to mention I wanted it to have a bit of style even though it might not look like much.
Once the handle was made, I took the two pieces and squished them together so the wire would imprint on the base of the handle. Thankfully my plan to twist the end of the wire up for an easy release worked perfectly, and I had the near perfect imprint I wanted. As a finishing touch I also took an old square cookie cutter and made a border around the letters. Then, it was straight to the oven!
The Finished Product!
Here it is! The finished wax seal made from clay and wire! I Was so worried the clay might swell in the heat and take away from the imprint on the bottom, but it didn’t! Now I know it doesn’t look perfect, but I’m certainly proud it came out as good as it did. I mean, nothing’s perfect on the first try right? Needless to say, I’m going to be making a lot more of these, not just for my story characters.
Thank you for reading this post on the Welcome To My Shoes blog! Click here to check out my other adventures and inspirations for writing! Interested in getting regular updates, sneak peaks, and stories delivered directly to your inbox? Drop your email below to subscribe to my newsletter!
Thank you again for reading this post! What was your favorite part? Do you have a favorite skill you’ve learned, place you’ve visited, or thing you’ve tried? Let me know in the comments, and it just might be my next post! I can’t wait to see you on the next Welcome To My Shoes adventure!