~ Carve a Personal Seal ~

Let's keep carving!

I've always liked wax seals - you know the ones - you melt a small bit of wax onto paper & then press the seal into it? They make my correspondence look so sophisticated!

For this swap we will carve 1 "official" seal for our partner. What is an "official seal"? Usually, its a first initial or set of initials, but it can also be a symbol. If your partner would like a symbol or something other than their initials, please make it profile-specific to your partner. For example, if your partner likes sewing, maybe carve the shape of a button, (or just use an imprint; see link below), or tiny scissors; maybe they love mail (who doesn't?), so carve an envelope. If your partner has a lucky number, then maybe put that number on their seal. By the same token, if your partner does not like flowers, don't make a seal with a flower on it!

Upon joining, or once partners are assigned, you may post below or PM your partner whether you'd like your initial(s) or rather have a symbol for your personal seal.

I have never made one of these either, so I did a little research to find out more. Most seals are metal, but that seems too difficult. I tried stamping one of my hcs into wax & it worked fine without damaging the stamp, so that's an option. If your partner prefers a symbol, you don't have to be an amazing artist to make them a quality seal - you can use any small, non-flat object to make an imprint when using the polymer clay technique.

Here are some links:

How to carve a seal

or carving a wooden seal

or making a wax seal from clay

or more hand-carved wooden seals

Also, here's how to use wax for sealing

You may use any of the above techniques for this swap, or any other, (maybe carve from a wine cork?) as long as the seal you send your partner meets the following requirements:

• 1 hand-carved personal seal, profile-specific to your partner

• the carved part of the seal must be no larger than 1.5 inches in diameter (or square)

• the "handle" or length of the entire seal (meaning the part you hold on to when using it) must be at least 2 inches long, or no shorter than a wine cork

• if you use rubber or lino as your carving medium, then it must be mounted onto a dowel or cork, or something to give it a "handle" (if you Google 'personal seals', you'll see what I mean)

• after you've made the seal for your partner & get it ready to send, melt some wax & use the seal on the envelope you're sending it in, (or somewhere inside the package). This way you'll know that it works & your partner will be able to use it!

Usual group/swap rules apply & I will check profiles before assigning partners. PLEASE PM me or post below with any questions.

I'm giving more than 2 weeks to sign up & 2 more to send. I realize the holidays are coming & we're all busy, so please let me know if I should extend either deadline so more members will be able to join.

Don't be intimidated! Let's try something new!