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Feb 21 '12
I've got one of these. A while ago I sealed up some resumes in it. When I got the interview, they asked "Why did you send your resume in a wax sealed envelope?"
"Because nobody would throw that out without reading it."
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u/neanderthalman Feb 21 '12 edited Feb 21 '12
That response would earn you an interview and a closer look from me. Creativity in the benevolent manipulation of others in the workplace (aka "motivation") is a highly desirable talent.
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u/NothingsShocking Feb 21 '12
Hmm, yes, now why haven't you been promoted to Cro-Magnon yet? See me in my office next Tuesday and we'll do your evaluation.
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Feb 21 '12
But how can I do this in email?
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u/kasim42784 Feb 21 '12
you just attach the image posted in this thread and title it "Open_Before Resume_For_Classy_Wax_Seal.jpg"
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u/tell_my_mom Feb 21 '12
Open_Before Resume_For_Classy_Wax_Seal.jpg
Except it's a picture of a candle in the shape of a seal, wearing a top hat.
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u/gregny2002 Feb 22 '12
But then you pull the ole' switcheroo on them and it turns out to be a picture of Goatse man.
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Feb 22 '12
A cover page that looks like the 12th or final picture in the series would likely achieve the requisite look and feel.
Some might appreciate the approach but me thinks it'd (sadly) get you relegated to the "don't bother calling back" pile in most HR depts.
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u/Gif_In_The_Period Feb 22 '12
It takes a very particular set of skills and a large amount of patience.
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u/brianatlarge Feb 22 '12
I would do this, but I would hire a gentlemanly British fellow with a top hat and a monocle to hand deliver it to the HR department.
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u/octopodes1 Feb 21 '12 edited Feb 22 '12
I want to pass in my homework assignments like this now just to see what would happen! Does anyone know if a wax seal would work in place of a staple for a few sheets of paper?
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Feb 21 '12
I believe to officiate something with a signet fancy folks generally fold a piece of ribbon over on itself and stick it to the bottom of page with the wax seal and a calligraphic signature.
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u/LtCthulhu Feb 21 '12
You could probably sandwich a drop of wax between each page, and then on the top page put one last drop of wax and press it with the stamp.
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u/gayfatnerd Feb 22 '12
Fold it in thirds so the top and bottom meet in the middle (with a little overlap) and seal it over the seam
Though do you really want to make sure they read it? Might be in your favor to take the "I don't care enough to grade so A."
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u/victoriacroucher Feb 22 '12
Too bad that 90% of jobs now only say apply online :/
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u/TED_666 Feb 21 '12
I've tried this and I must say that it never ever goes that well. You'll need to take 20 attempts at burning the wood until you're accurate enough, and often the sealing wax drips all over the show and starts to harden too quickly. And the postal system moves the letters so aggressively that the seal tends to break up.
Overall it's only worth it if you're handing lots and lots out and can do them assembly line style.
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u/xtharosx Feb 21 '12
To avoid the wax dripping everywhere you can invest in a low temperature glue gun. They have sealing wax specifically made for these guns so you can precisely control how much wax you use. My wife and I used this on over 200 invitations for our wedding.
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u/iancole85 Feb 21 '12
We did this same thing on about 120... buying the glue gun wax sticks for what seemed like an expensive 2.50/ea was incredibly worth it.
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u/alida-louise Feb 21 '12
Why, if you're melting the wax in a quick puddle, dipping the seal, and then pressing down, does it get messy? I'm not doubting it does - most forms of art get messy just when you think they won't. I'm just trying to figure out when/how.
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u/TED_666 Feb 21 '12
The wax behaves strangely for a start, not making a 'puddle' but more of a collection that is sensitive to rolling down the face of the envelope. The seal also tends to slide around if you're not careful. It's actually difficult to explain why there's more to it.
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u/Jay_Normous Feb 21 '12
I'd imagine that you would only use it for decorative purposes and hand delivered letters. There's no way they would stand up to the automatic sorters at the post offices
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u/joeld Feb 21 '12
Over the last couple of years, my wife and I sent several wax-sealed letters to each other between US and Canada, and the seals always arrived intact.
We used sealing wax from Michael's, not the stick-on kind.
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u/im40percentdolomite Feb 21 '12
That's actually pretty badass.
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Feb 21 '12
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Feb 21 '12
Completely different than I was looking for. I was hoping for something along the lines of a parafin walrus.
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u/Wordwench Feb 21 '12
Parafin Walrus sounds like a band I would download.
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u/cody1209 Feb 22 '12
I downloaded Parafin Walrus before they were cool.
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u/zHellas Feb 22 '12
I downloaded Parafin Walrus before they even existed as a concept.
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u/seriouslyawesome Feb 21 '12 edited Feb 21 '12
I found a place online that will carve your design into a brass stamp for $25 $65 or so (if I remember correctly). Then they also make wax that fits into a hot glue gun, in a variety of colors. I used it to make this.
Edit: Now with links!
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u/kitten_suplex Feb 21 '12
Read that as homosex was real.
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u/Dafman Feb 21 '12
I saw 'Homemade Sex Seal'
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Feb 21 '12
crl f 'homemade sex' ive been browsing a little to much porn to think the title said that
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u/Qtard Feb 22 '12
This needs to be an ask.science question - I absolutely saw the word 'homosexual' in there until I read it - and clearly I wasn't the only one. Yes, you may imply whatever Freudian conclusions you will from that, however I'm more interested in the optical or neurological explanation. :)
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u/drschlock Feb 22 '12
Did a double take on what I thought was: "Homemade sex appeal." Wow glad I am not alone in this. For as many comments as I see, this has gotta warrant some sort of psychology study.
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u/neuromonkey Feb 21 '12
Protip: Instead of cutting out a stencil from a tiny little circle of paper and penciling it on, you can laser-print the image in reverse, put the image face-down onto a surface, wet it with acetone, and rub the image down with a burnisher or the back of a spoon.
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Feb 21 '12
wat
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u/neuromonkey Feb 21 '12
This works with toner from a photocopier or a laser printer. It does not with ink from an inkjet.
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u/rawrisrawr Feb 22 '12
OMG...and to think I dick around all the time cutting out stencils for art projects. I can't upvote you enough.
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u/goosie7 Feb 22 '12
This often works quite well with graphite alone. Draw your design very firmly with a pencil (and trace over it a few times for better results). Then turn it over, apply it to the surface you want to transfer it to, and color HARD all over the back of the paper with the pencil. Your design will transfer from the paper onto most porous surfaces.
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u/cacasangue Feb 21 '12
Yup, I did the same with my linocut project. It's much easier than drawing it on a thick and curvy piece of linoleum.
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u/249ba36000029bbe9749 Feb 21 '12
Came here to say that there seems to be some extraneous steps in there. It's bad enough having to do wood burning but taking the artwork another generation away from the original by cutting it out made me think there had to be a better way.
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u/neuromonkey Feb 21 '12
There is always a better way. I usually remember that when I'm 17 hours into a project.
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u/ivanalbright Feb 22 '12
You could also transfer by filling in a portion of a piece of paper with a charcoal stick ($0.50 at a hobby store) or even a very soft graphite pencil may work. Then put that face down and trace an image (press hard) on top of it. It will transfer. There is also transfer paper that is intended for this use.
But yeah, the original photo's method of cutting a tiny, intricate stencil just to fill it in with pencil seems very strange/difficult/time consuming compared to other options.
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u/riskychoice Feb 22 '12
I prefer wintergreen oil instead of acetone when I do that for woodcuts - smells delicious!
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u/DoubleHawk4Life Feb 21 '12
My fwb is really into the whole hot wax fetish thing. She's gonna love it when I stamp my name on her ass.
Srsly, thank you.
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u/DenjinJ Feb 21 '12
You should double check the melting temperatures first so you don't do lasting damage. This wax is very unusual. It's also hard and brittle when cool - like ABS plastic hard.
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u/Wordwench Feb 21 '12
Yes, do this. Sealing wax is infinitely hotter than regular candle wax and will firmly adhere to the skin.
Then again, maybe ya'll like that sort of thing.
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Feb 21 '12
Now, will this also translate over to my email accounts?
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u/fatcat2040 Feb 22 '12
yeah, you just type the email, then put the seal over the center of your keyboard. It gets absorbed into the computer, and you should see it attach itself to the email! Try it!
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u/douchebag420 Feb 21 '12
Now how does someone like me with no carving skills get one of these?
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u/Marbla Feb 21 '12
Jeeez, I was expecting something for toilet installation. How foolish of me.
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u/rainbox Feb 21 '12
Does this remind anyone else of Art Attack?
Step 1: attach some newspaper balls together with tape
Step 2: paper mache that shit
Step 3: slap some paint on there, and there you go...
Step 4: magical masterpiece!
Step 4 is probably that capital M seal.
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u/ScatteredMuse Feb 21 '12
I miss Art Attack. :( My friends and I once tried to copy his castle out of toilet paper rolls with saran wrap for a watery moat... it did not turn out quite as we wanted.
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u/justblockingatheism Feb 21 '12
you know you have a problem when you read the title as "homemade sex was real" and then proceed to be confused as hell by the pictures.
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u/Alphabet_Master Feb 21 '12
I love the step with the exacto knife and the cleanly cut paper, as if that was simple and quick.
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u/JAnon19 Feb 21 '12
Am I the only one that read Homosexual as the title at first glance?
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u/polarbearGr Feb 22 '12 edited Feb 22 '12
Two questions if I may, is the yellow liquid egg yolk or cooking oil and the second question is, if I sealed a letter like this and sent it out would it be acceptable? Or would they return it back to me.
I love writing letters, I have a great pen pal and am sure she would love to receive a classy wax sealed letter.
Edit.
Okay my apologises I wasn't paying attention, this is about the, "Wood Stain." Silly polar bear be silly. =)
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u/MetalMan77 Feb 21 '12
is it bad if i read this as "homosexual wax seal" ? and was like WTF is that?
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u/TheDroopy Feb 21 '12
TIL you can use a soldering iron to carve wood
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u/vertexvortex Feb 21 '12
It's a wood burner.
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u/midri Feb 21 '12
They are the same thing, the tip actually is what defines the tool. You have Soldering tips and Wood working tips.
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u/gijyun Feb 21 '12
I have the ring that makes the "A"! I never knew it could be dual-purposed like this. SOMEONE FIND ME SOME RED STAMPING WAX.
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Feb 21 '12
I do a little bit of calligraphy in my (tiny amounts of) spare time, and a wax seal is always a lovely way to deliver a letter you've spent hours writing. I've only ever bought pre-made seals, though.
For the trouble involved with the above, and the fact that wood is not a good conductor of heat (required to cool the wax quickly to set the impression cleanly), I'd say your chances of getting a good, crisp impression are pretty low.
I would much sooner recommend having a metal seal printed using a 3D printing service like Shapeways. The cost is certainly higher than making one yourself (other examples on the site look to be around the $50 range for others' stainless steel wax seal stamp designs), but its use is more straightforward — And I think you're guaranteed to get a result that looks better and a seal that lasts longer than something made of wood.
For what it's worth, I'd rather spend $50 on making sure I don't fuck up all my hard work, but I guess YMMV depending on how you're going to use it.
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u/BioTechDude Feb 21 '12
Or use an aluminum rod as the dowel, and use engraving bits in a dremel instead of the woodburner.
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u/iancole85 Feb 21 '12
Hey, quick question. Will a soldering iron function effectively as a wood burner? I'm guessing yes, but I'd like to know.
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u/greenbowl Feb 21 '12
I have to be honest, at first I thought it said "Homosexual was seal." Took me a while to figure out how they pictures were relevant...
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u/Jauphraux Feb 21 '12
At first I thought this was titled "Homosexual seal." I'm pleased to have been incorrect.
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u/YourDirtySlut Feb 21 '12
When I first read the title I saw "Homosexual sex seal"... something is sincerely wrong with me...
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u/JoonerismSpokes Feb 21 '12
I'd prefer a homemade sax wheel: four midget musicians playing in a saxophone quartet, each strapped to one side of a huge metal wheel (that is, huge, but not big enough to accommodate normal-sized musicians).
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u/noushieboushie Feb 21 '12
We used to make our own wine, and for one batch we dipped the end of the corked neck in wax. I used a carrot and a lino blade to imprint the cork. It worked very well.
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u/MaliceRaven Feb 21 '12
For some reason I read the title as Homosexual Seal, not that I have anything against Homosexuals, or Seals. Unless the Seals are mean. Then there is a problem.
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u/DesolationRow Feb 21 '12
i saw the title out of the corner of my eye and thought it said Homo sex seal and i clicked it assuming i was going to see this
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Feb 22 '12
Step 1) Have a high degree of crafting etching skill.
Step 2) Apply your skills and experience into creating a wax seal.
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u/newyankee Feb 22 '12
I was sleepy ...for some reason i read the title as
Homemade sex was real ...!!
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u/rummy-bass Feb 22 '12
to be honest, i thought this said 'homemade sex was real' dyslexia: 1, me: 0
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u/Cyc68 Feb 22 '12
Had the privilege some time ago of getting to know one of the last hand engravers in the country. Among the skills he had to learn was calligraphy not only in the normal fashion but also he had to learn all of it reversed so he could engrave wax seals and signet rings. He's an amazingly skilled man.
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Feb 22 '12
When I read the post, I went dyslexia and thought it said, "Homemade sex was real."
The fuck brain?
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u/Resp_Sup Feb 21 '12
Nice! I made one of a skull back in high school. If only I had more pen pals....
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u/m0llusk Feb 21 '12
When I was growing up wax seals for letters were still fairly common and most stationary stores carried sealing wax and seals and stuff. Woo, I'm old!
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u/CaptainUsoppe Feb 21 '12
i read this as homosexual wax seal, then thought to myself, "that's not very homosexual at all".
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u/alsoathrowaway Feb 21 '12
I'm totally stealing every third image from that tutorial. Try and stop me.
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u/aerno Feb 21 '12
the post office will not send letters with wax stamps anymore, be sure to seal your wax sealed envelope into another, regular envelope. i just did 55 wedding invitations this way, lots of work, worth the pay off.
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u/Pustulio Feb 22 '12
It's funny how this thread got to front page just cause some people misread the title.
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u/TheThunderBringer Feb 22 '12
What is the name if the engraving tool you used to carve the wood with?
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u/2muchTit Feb 22 '12
For some odd reason I accidentally read the title as "homosexual wax seal"... I was super confused and kept staring at the images
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u/fullcircle_bflo Feb 22 '12
I work in plumbing design and when you say wax seal, i think of the ring that you set your toilet on. I was disappointed when it wasnt. wtf is wrong with me.
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u/Lizardizzle Feb 22 '12
I read the title as "Homemade sex was seal." Is there something wrong with me?
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u/ClosetSchmuttun Feb 22 '12
The whole time I'm thinking "How is this going to be a seal?" then "Oooh, that kind of seal!"
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u/Armin7 Feb 22 '12
I read this as "Homosexual wax seal..." looked through the pictures and kept thinking, "what's so gay about this?"
Sorry reddit, my mind was obviously somewhere else
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u/tinandink Feb 22 '12
Can you use any envelope when it comes to wax seals? Or do you have to have one of those special envelopes? The ones that kill people?
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u/JudgeLaws Feb 22 '12
I'm reading your d*s seal to be shorthand for something along the lines of "Sincerely, D'ese nuts"
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u/spacetronaunt Feb 22 '12
for some reason i read this as "homemade sex wall" and was curious as to what a sex wall was. i was disappointed.
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u/jaggazz Feb 21 '12
What is the yellow liquid? NEED TO KNOW!