Here’s what usually happens when someone tries wax seals for the first time…
You light the candle, drop a few beads in the spoon, and wait. The wax melts, but a little smoke curls up. You wonder, is this safe? What’s even in this stuff?
You pour it out and press the stamp. The first one looks decent. The second one? The wax spreads too thin and sticks to your table. Now you’ve got dried wax flakes, a blackened spoon, and no clue how to clean it.
And then you ask yourself: Did I just waste money on the wrong supplies? Are the wax beads I got even good quality or is it cheap imported (and dangerous) junk? Will all this end up in a drawer like that calligraphy set I bought last year?
Wax sealing isn’t hard. But without a little know-how, it can feel intimidating, messy, and more expensive than it needs to be.
If you’re anything like I was, you probably have the same hesitations running through your head right now…
“Is it safe to work with melted wax?”
Totally fair question. This was my first fear too. But if you can trust yourself with a hot pan on the stove, you’ll be fine with wax. And I’ll show you a few simple workspace tricks (like using parchment paper and the right spoon) that make it even safer.
“Do I need to spend a fortune on supplies?”
Nope. When I started, all I had was a $15 pack of wax from Michaels (this gets you 600 wax beads which is enough to make almost 200 stamps), a $10 Sealing Wax Warmer set also from Michaels (this includes a melting spoon and a place to set it), and a tea light candle. That’s it!
I’ll show you exactly which tools are worth it, which ones are a waste of money, and how to spot quality without overspending.
“Won’t this just get messy?”
It doesn’t have to. With the right setup, spills are rare and cleanup takes less than a minute. I’ll walk you through my “no-mess setup” that keeps your table safe and your tools clean. Your spoon and table will be soot-free.
"What do I do with the wax seals?"
Wax seals offer a personal and beautiful touch to all sorts of projects! I use them for everything: