How to Make Wax Seals: Heart Envelope Garland DIY

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A handmade Valentine garland made from colorful paper envelopes and heart shapes strung on twine, decorated with faux wax seals highlighted in gold. The envelopes are folded directly over the string and sealed to create a love letter look, with layered hearts glued on both sides for dimension. The finished garland has a romantic, vintage “sealed with a kiss” aesthetic, perfect for Valentine’s Day décor.

How to Make Wax Seals: Heart Envelope Garland DIY

Learn to make a colorful paper envelope garland; folded right onto twine, Cricut-cut heart shapes, faux wax seals accented in gold, and a romantic “sealed with a kiss” feel, this Valentine love letter garland is a charming handmade decoration that blends vintage wax-stamp style with modern crafting techniques.

This Valentine heart and love letter garland is one of those projects that feels equal parts nostalgic and magical—like something you might’ve seen in the early 2000s on a craft blog, but with a fresh, elevated twist.

Be sure to watch the video here too!

Between the colorful envelopes, sweet heart shapes, and those beautiful faux wax seals, it has that irresistible sealed with a kiss vibe that instantly makes a space feel special.

Best of all, it looks intricate and fancy, but it’s totally doable with basic supplies, a little patience, and a willingness to experiment.

In this full tutorial, I’ll walk you through exactly how to make the garland step by step, from cutting the heart shapes to painting the wax seal relief and finally hanging it up for décor.

I’ll also share tips, alternatives, and an answers section at the end to help you customize the project and troubleshoot along the way.

Supplies You’ll Need for Valentine Love Note Garland:

Before we jump in, gather your materials. You don’t need everything wax-related under the sun, but I’ll list both the essentials and optional tools so you can work with what you have.

Paper & Base Materials

Cardstock in Valentine colors (reds, pinks, purples, neutrals)
Twine or baker’s twine (metallic gold looks amazing)
Cricut machine (any model—Maker, Explore, or Joy)
Cricut Design Space
Scissors (for trimming small pieces)

Adhesives & Tools

Hot glue gun
Hot glue sticks (standard glue sticks work great)
Wax seal double sided tape sticker (for envelopes)
Craft tweezers (optional but helpful)

Wax Seal Elements

Premade or faux wax seals
Wax stamp (optional, for custom seal experimentation)
Apple Barrel gold acrylic paint pen

Optional / For Experimenting

You don’t need melted wax for this exact project, but I’ll talk about it later if you want to make your own custom seal.

Supplies You’ll Need for Valentine Love Note Garland: Before we jump in, gather your materials. You don’t need everything wax-related under the sun, but I’ll list both the essentials and optional tools so you can work with what you have. Paper & Base Materials Cardstock in Valentine colors (reds, pinks, purples, neutrals) Twine or baker’s twine (metallic gold looks amazing) Cricut machine (any model—Maker, Explore, or Joy) Cricut Design Space Scissors (for trimming small pieces) Adhesives & Tools Hot glue gun Hot glue sticks (standard glue sticks work great) Wax seal double sided tape sticker (for envelopes) Craft tweezers (optional but helpful) Wax Seal Elements Premade or faux wax seals Wax stamp (optional, for custom seal experimentation) Apple Barrel gold acrylic paint pen Optional / For Experimenting Sealing wax or wax sticks Wax beads Electric warmer or candle Ice pack or access to freezer space You don’t need melted wax for this exact project, but I’ll talk about it later if you want to make your own custom seal.

Step 1: Cut the Heart Shape Paper

The first step is cutting out all your hearts. This sets the tone for the entire garland, so take your time here.

Designing the Hearts

Open Cricut Design Space and choose a classic heart shape
A simple, rounded heart
About 2–3 inches wide

Cut hearts in a mix of colors for visual interest. Think reds, pinks, magentas, and even a few unexpected shades for contrast.

Cutting Tips

Use medium-weight cardstock so the hearts feel sturdy
Cut more than you think you’ll need—extras are always helpful
Lay them out in advance to plan your color pattern
Save the negative space stencil for another project or gel plate print

This part is quick, but it’s the foundation of the whole piece.

Use cricut maker to cut red paper hearts

Step 2: Fold the Envelope Over the Twine & Seal

Now for the part that really sells the love letter look.

Preparing the Envelopes

You can use small premade envelopes or make your own by folding rectangles of cardstock. Keep them lightweight so they don’t pull the garland down.

Attaching to the Garland:

Lay your twine flat on your work surface
Place an envelope underneath the twine
Fold the envelope flap over the twine

Instead of traditional sealing wax, use a wax seal double sided tape sticker. This gives you the look of a wax seal without worrying about weight, cracking, or flexibility.

Press the seal firmly into place.

✨ Why this works: Faux wax seals keep everything secure while still delivering that vintage charm.

Let the adhesive set for a couple of minutes before moving on to the next step.

Instead of traditional sealing wax, use a wax seal double sided tape sticker. This gives you the look of a wax seal without worrying about weight, cracking, or flexibility. Press the seal firmly into place. ✨ Why this works: Faux wax seals keep everything secure while still delivering that vintage charm. Let the adhesive set for a couple of minutes before moving on to the next step.

You may find you have some helpful friends that are just as interested in the twine as you are!

Little baby Jeffy was feeling playful and I have no idea how he knew I was using twine, but as soon as I unrolled it, he ran over to help.

Quick break to get a little treat for Jeff so he would let me finish this craft without eating the twine...wrecking the project and making himself sick.

this is my orange tabby cat, Jeff, he's such a fun crafting buddy

Step 3: Hot Glue on Hearts & Add Wax Seals

This is where the garland starts to come alive--attaching the Hearts!

Using a hot glue gun:

Apply hot glue to the back of one heart
Press it onto one side of the twine
Immediately glue a matching or coordinating heart on the opposite side
This “sandwich” method hides the twine and makes the hearts look like they’re floating.

Work slowly and carefully—hot glue and small pieces can be tricky. A little practice goes a long way here.

Step 3: Hot Glue on Hearts & Add Wax Seals This is where the garland starts to come alive--attaching the Hearts! Using a hot glue gun: Apply hot glue to the back of one heart Press it onto one side of the twine Immediately glue a matching or coordinating heart on the opposite side This “sandwich” method hides the twine and makes the hearts look like they’re floating. Work slowly and carefully—hot glue and small pieces can be tricky. A little practice goes a long way here.

Adding Wax Seals to Hearts

Once the hearts are attached, hot glue a faux wax seal to the center of some of the hearts.

Not every heart needs one—spacing them out looks best.

Hold each seal in place until the glue sets. It usually takes a couple of minutes for full stability.

Adding Wax Seals to Hearts Once the hearts are attached, hot glue a faux wax seal to the center of some of the hearts. Not every heart needs one—spacing them out looks best. Hold each seal in place until the glue sets. It usually takes a couple of minutes for full stability.

Creative Ways to Customize This Garland

Add handwritten notes inside the envelopes
Mix in polymer clay seals for extra texture
Use different types of wax for varied finishes
Incorporate findings from an estate sale for a vintage twist
Layer vellum hearts for softness

The possibilities are endless, fun and creative!

Creative Ways to Customize This Garland Add handwritten notes inside the envelopes Mix in polymer clay seals for extra texture Use different types of wax for varied finishes Incorporate findings from an estate sale for a vintage twist Layer vellum hearts for softness The possibilities are endless, fun and creative!

Answers Section (FAQ)

Can I use real sealing wax instead of faux wax seals?
Yes, of course! I made these wax seals too and had them ready in advance for this craft.

What type of wax works best?
Flexible sealing wax is ideal. Candle wax tends to crack.

Can I do this without a Cricut?
Absolutely—hand-cut hearts work just fine, just cut 2 hearts at a time so they match up when sandwiched together around the twine.

How long does the project take?
From start to finish, about 30 minutes to 1 hour depending on drying time and how detailed you get.

What if I mess up a seal?
That’s part of the process. Every project benefits from a little practice. If it's an unrecognizable mess, just cut it into pieces and reheat in a warming spoon.

use a cordless hot glue gun to make a paper garland decorated with wax seals

Step 4: Paint the Relief with a Gold Acrylic Paint Pen

This step is pure magic.

Most wax seals already have beautiful raised designs, but painting the relief takes them to another level.

How to Highlight the Details:

Use an Apple Barrel gold acrylic paint pen and lightly glide it over the raised areas of the seal. Don’t press hard—less is more.

Step 4: Paint the Relief with a Gold Acrylic Paint Pen This step is pure magic. Most wax seals already have beautiful raised designs, but painting the relief takes them to another level. How to Highlight the Details: Use an Apple Barrel gold acrylic paint pen and lightly glide it over the raised areas of the seal. Don’t press hard—less is more.

This technique does several great things for the wax seal project:

Brings out the texture
Adds a vintage, estate sale–style finish
Makes faux wax seals look incredibly realistic

If you accidentally add too much paint, let it dry and gently scrape it back with a toothpick.

Let the paint dry completely before handling.

This technique does several great things for the wax seal project: Brings out the texture Adds a vintage, estate sale–style finish Makes faux wax seals look incredibly realistic If you accidentally add too much paint, let it dry and gently scrape it back with a toothpick. Let the paint dry completely before handling.

Step 5: Hang Up the Garland for Decor

Once everything is dry and secure, it’s time for the final reveal and to hang it up in a fun place to give that holiday love letter vibe:

Mantel
Stair railing
Window
Shelf edge
Over a headboard

Because this garland is lightweight, it hangs easily with just a couple of pieces of tape or removable hooks.

Step back and admire your work—you’ve just created a romantic statement piece that feels thoughtful, nostalgic, and handmade.

Step 5: Hang Up the Garland for Decor Once everything is dry and secure, it’s time for the final reveal and to hang it up in a fun place to give that holiday love letter vibe: Mantel Stair railing Window Shelf edge Over a headboard Because this garland is lightweight, it hangs easily with just a couple of pieces of tape or removable hooks. Step back and admire your work—you’ve just created a romantic statement piece that feels thoughtful, nostalgic, and handmade.

Optional: Making Your Own Custom Wax Seals

If you want to go deeper and expand your breadth of knowledge, you can absolutely make your own wax seals.

Basic Wax Seal Overview

Use sealing wax, wax sticks, or wax beads
Melted wax can be heated with an electric warmer or candle wax
Pour onto parchment or silicone
Press your wax stamp into the wax and wait until the wax cools before removing.

Pro Tips

Use an ice pack under the surface to speed up cooling
A few minutes in the freezer works too, but mind your freezer space
Avoid much film or wax buildup on the stamp by wiping between uses

This is a long way from necessary for this project, but it’s fun to experiment—especially if you want a truly custom seal.

Optional: Making Your Own Custom Wax Seals If you want to go deeper and expand your breadth of knowledge, you can absolutely make your own wax seals. Basic Wax Seal Overview Use sealing wax, wax sticks, or wax beads Melted wax can be heated with an electric warmer or candle wax Pour onto parchment or silicone Press your wax stamp into the wax and wait until the wax cools before removing. Pro Tips Use an ice pack under the surface to speed up cooling A few minutes in the freezer works too, but mind your freezer space Avoid much film or wax buildup on the stamp by wiping between uses This is a long way from necessary for this project, but it’s fun to experiment—especially if you want a truly custom seal.

That's it!

This Valentine heart and love letter garland is proof that you don’t need complicated techniques or expensive tools to create something meaningful. With a glue gun, paper, twine, and a few faux wax seals, you can craft a decoration that feels timeless and personal.

It’s romantic without being over-the-top, playful without being juvenile, and detailed without being stressful. Whether you’re decorating for Valentine’s Day or just want to bring a little love-letter magic into your home, this garland is a beautiful way to do it.

Once you make one, you’ll start imagining all the other creative ways to use wax seals—and that’s when the real fun begins 💌

Like, Pin and Save!

A handmade Valentine’s Day garland featuring colorful paper envelopes and layered heart cutouts strung on twine, decorated with faux wax seals highlighted in gold. The envelopes are folded directly over the string, creating a love letter effect, while heart shapes are glued on both sides of the twine for a floating look. The overall design has a romantic, vintage “sealed with a kiss” aesthetic perfect for Valentine décor.

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