dougalkeane
105821
1492
103
I am not super talented but wanted to try something this year. I looked online and found instructions on how to make custom wax seals. (Courtesy of stormthecastle.com) Here we go! My tools that i bought, even though i pretty much didnt use any one.
I needed to have a handle so i bought a wooden dowel but forgot i had nothing to cut it with except this dull knife i found in a drainage ditch one day.
Could only cut so much before it became impossible then i broke it off.
Handle
Clay
Tried to carve the imguraffe. Instead i created a monster.
"Kill me please" -clay giraffe, probably
Bake
Ok that didnt work.
Take 2!
Cut the shape
Tried a simpler design this time
So ready!
Making the full stamp
Melting the wax
Well shoot, almost perfect. Forgot to think about reversing the text and center it better.
Take 3! Reverse text this time
Ill try to marble the wax this time so i added some silver
New stamp ready!
$#%&. Ok lets try again.
Am i an idiot?
Take 5?
Mabye this will work as a stamp? (Spoiler alert: it didnt)
Take ?? I give up. I jist ended up using one of my pre bought stamps.
I slept on it and decided to try again! New clay and stamp and everything. I was only able to get 3 of the 5 letters visable but that will have to do!
I have to put something in the envelope. Ok let me try caligraphy. (I did this before i finished the wax seal of course)
Not bad for a first attempt!
Could only cut so much before it became impossible then i broke it off.
EDIT: I FREAKING DID IT! THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR THE ADVICE!
https://imgur.com/gallery/uxxxd
MaximumRadius
"An expert is only someone that has seen every way something can fail." +1 for being on your way to becoming an expert.
cherrykoi
I lightly dip my custom engraved dowel into cooking oil. Helps the wax release. Try? Or search for "DIY wooden wax seal" ideas. GL!
FOXTR0TT
I appreciate the thought you put into it. I feel homemade gifts and stuff like that are the best.
justsignthesheet
It looks like you are getting the wax too hot before you stamp it. It need to be cool enough to hold its shape - if it’s too 1/2
justsignthesheet
runny the stamp sticks and tears the wax. I have a video on my insta were you can see the consistency (@littleduckcalligraphy)
WhompingWillough
I'm actually choking half to death on my laughter. This is literally a scene from my own life attempting crafts. <3
WhompingWillough
You are such a fucking pro human being. I hope your person knows how lucky they are.
SavageTacoSupremeOverlord
I love absolutely everything about this post. Your SS will love it!
Naturally90
I thought you were making the stamp to give as the actual gift and just imagined your ss opening up like "wtf is this?!"
SuckAnElf
Same here
KoRplussomeletters
Uh, "this dull knife I found in a drainage ditch"? Can you say, "missing murder weapon"?
nadirecur
Lube up your stamp with some vaseline so the wax doesn't stick to it! It's what I do
hungitalianohwaitthisisntgrindr
that was incredibly confusing and pretty stressful.
TehGrimReaper
Someone gets Curios & Conundrums, I see.
silverbearsilver
this is really sweet and very cute
Mythikun
@Op this Is truly my favourite post in all Imgur
USERNAMESMUSTBEFOURCHARACTERS1NLENGTH
1) learn how to use a whetstone 2) who the hell saws with a lock blade?
spaceystacey
I understood one of those words.
USERNAMESMUSTBEFOURCHARACTERS1NLENGTH
I gotchu fam. >whetstone = the sharpening stone for blades. Super easy to use. Lockblade = the knife that folds out and locks in place.
uzaiir
Nice attampt ya glorious bastard!
IceColdGray
Funny.
TittieSucker
I send a fair amount of mail using sealing wax (envelope within envelope) to protect wax from sorting machines. It is never perfect.
TittieSucker
I find the silver & gold metallic sealing wax is terrible. Red works best. You need a very deep stamp. Metal is nice. Two attempts with
TittieSucker
simple 1 letter metal stamps is the norm. Wax can catch fire & burn spots in letter. It is challenging w/o creating your own stamp.
Copperbrat
I love every single thing about this. I actually hope I'm your recipient. The inventiveness, the stubborn determination. As an artist and 1/
Copperbrat
crafter, it takes a great deal of effort and practice in order to make creativity look easy. Thanks for sharing your process! 2/2
PeriodQueen
Read it as “condom sex seals.” My dyslexia always creates adventures
CmfMttnPpl
Gerber is a good brand
boopmonger
maybe 15 years ago
ByThePowerOfSCIENCE
They bounced back. I just got a Suspension multitool and it's seriously solid.
TofuRabbit
@OP holy shit I had that same old Origami book when I was a kid! I can prove it too, I remember the last diagram is an origami spider!
Cardofanto
Attampts vur maed!
RoninTactican
The clay isn't going to work consistently. Brass casting is out of the question, so carve or burn the design into wood.
Sailorchief
Am I an idiot? (Underrated thought)
nanyatenyaa
Why use a new envelope for every test? You hate trees?
RogueDarkJedi
"Am I an idiot?" I swear this is me while doing any craft project.
Sailorchief
Top quality comment
WeAreTheFortunate
This comment had me rolling because it’s so true some times.
n0vux
Yeah, same here. Especially when trying new methods, but occasionally even with used to stuff.
usersubbordercontrol
regnant
Why I always buy twice the amount of fabric because I know I'm going to forget to make it inside out to hide seams
SmackDabInTheMiddleOfTheBlue
Cue that Quantum Leap gif "Am I retarded?"
usersubbordercontrol
dweezy23
Correct me if I’m wrong, but @OP legit had this perfect on this attempt, just upside down, right?
RogueDarkJedi
no, first attempt exploded.
bastarddad
Oh you beautiful flawed human being.♥️
ColLeslieHapHapablap
I lol'd at "am I an idiot?" Thanks, I needed it.
stonedcloud
I used to have that gerber! The company gave them to everyone in my unit free, before deployment.
dougalkeane
What is a gerber?
stonedcloud
a brand of kives and multi-tools.
Darksideunicorn
Are you using a polymer? If you are, you need to seal it before use. The wax gets into the pores. You can also bypass the seal (1)
Courtmoo
Can also use soapstone for carving seals. Keep trying! You'll get there :)
dougalkeane
Good idea!
Darksideunicorn
Yeah, I love Polymer clay but its porous AF. I figured this out a few years back trying 2 make stamps 4 Christmas. Let me know how it works
WhompingWillough
Oh and in waltzes the smart guy talking about polymers and logic.
Darksideunicorn
Darksideunicorn
By using PAM or cooking spray on it before you stamp. This way it doesn't stick to the porous surface. Try that- report back (2)
Lfa3
Know if vaseline would do the trick? I deal with silicone molds so I have it around available all the time, always wanted to make stamps!
Darksideunicorn
It might, I've never used it though!
Ooolovelyjubbly
I’m impressed by you continuing. I would’ve brought the stuff, eaten a box of donuts while watching videos of cats then send a voucher.
spaceystacey
You. I like You! I also wish I had some donuts right now.
Ooolovelyjubbly
We can have a donut party, which involves us just eating every variety of Krispy Kreme, having a carb nap, then eating more
spaceystacey
Omg! Carb naps are the best! I have to switch back to my low carb diet next year :( I went off for 6 mo while I moved states.
spaceystacey
I can't wait for our party, though, with the original Krispy Kremes being warmed up and inhaled!