Create Your Own Sealing Wax for Letters!

Finished Sealing Wax Sticks

Getting a personal letter is so uncommon it is now a very special experience. While I do not consider myself the most accomplished letter writer, I do like to make them worth treasuring.

While you could use just plain beeswax to create your own sealing wax, we need the wax to be slightly flexible to be able to survive modern mailing methods. By adding some Emulsifying Wax, we are able to increase the seal’s ability to flex, meaning that it can survive the mailing process. I also added a tiny amount of soy wax to stiffen the mixture and help provide a “tamper evident” seal. How cool it that?

Weighing Beeswax

The unfortunate part is that the recipe is the easy part. The hard part is choosing what colors you want for your sealing wax. I have made a beautiful sky blue and a dark purple wine color. I got help creating the rest of the colors. Aren’t they pretty? I am ready to have a letter writing party! What colors would you want to make? Enjoy your creating!

Recipe:

Adding Emulsifying Wax and Soy Wax

Weigh your waxes into a microwave safe container. Heat until the mixture is liquid. Caution! It will be hot! Be careful to avoid splashing, spilling and other accidents. While the waxes are still liquid add your colors and silver mica. Or don’t add any color if you like the natural look. Pour the hot mixture into molds or containers.

I used an ice cube mold from IKEA but you can use anything you have on hand. I found that pouring the mixture into silicone molds made it easier to remove from the mold when cool. I also liked the longer sticks because I can keep my fingers away from the flame.

Tips and Tricks: If you have a lot of letters you are going to be sealing, having a small block of ice you can rest your seal on will not only make things a little faster but it will also help make sure your seal releases smoothly and you have clean, crisp lines.

Melted Mixture

Adding Color

Adding Silver Mica