Alternative Ways Of Making A Smoked Wax Seal?

[schin]

Hi everyone,

 

I am in the process of ordering my first Dexter desk seal and I'm beyond excited! While waiting I am researching the various methods of accomplishing the beautiful smoked effect.. most of which are from threads here.

 

The paraffin lamp method sounds the best, but I would need to use the seal very often, thus I am not comfortable with that much lamp oil and soot and needing to fire it up every couple hours. There has got to be an easier way!

 

Has anyone tried buying powdered lamp black or shaved charcoal, and with a dry brush transfer the powder onto the seal and thus impressing upon the wet wax? Would any kind Dexter seal owners try this? Lamp black powder can be found in hardware stores or art stores.

 

I would appreciate any ideas and methods as well. Thank you!

[Kosmic-kowgirl]

you could try adding a bit of darker color of wax to your main color and making a marbled effect. with black wax it should be easy

[byggyns]

I like the idea of the lamp black powder. I would try placing the stamp on a moist sponge, then setting it on the black powder, then pressing the seal. The moisture on the stamp should allow some of the powder to stick, and moistening stamps tends to help them release from the seal more easily.

 

But, I was thinking that may make the seal a little too sooty. In which case, I might spread the powder in a thinner layer over a piece of paper before putting the stamp in the powder. That way , you would not get total powder coverage on the stamp, or a thick cake of powder on it. You have given me an idea that I may have to try out.

[schin]

Let us know how it goes byggyns!

 

Try using a makeup blush brush to apply the lamp black. These brushes are designed to pick up a little powder and to blend over a large area smoothly and gently. You won't end up with a cake of soot as you would if you use a cheap painter's brush. You can find blush or kabuki brushes for cheap at a makeup store or a drugstore.

[Alogusz]

Incense sticks appear to give off soot before blowing out the flame. Light the stick, soot the seal, blow out the flame.

[ndw76]

I would advise against using incense stick, they are full of chemicals and are not good to use indoors.

[NobleDel]

I just use a candle. I pass my seal through the flame quickly a few times until I get an even coating and I'm good. It's not perfect like the Dexter imprints, but it does alright.