Thrifting the WitchyWay

My Dad always told me that life is how you see it. As a witch I know that how I see the world is the most important tool I have to change it.

Focus, will, and intent are the foundations that any spell/ritual/working are built on, but you have to see what you are trying to effect and you have to have the imagination to really see and believe in the change you are trying to bring about. With out the focus to see the world as it is, and the imagination to believe it can be different then we cannot change it. But luckily we’re witches so we have focus and imagination in spades.

So now let’s turn that towards how we look at objects and their potential. I want you to do something that may seem a little weird. I want you to find the ugliest, most detested thing in your house (ex spouses, messy rooms, and naughty pets don’t count, lol). Come on, fess up. We all have that one thing that we have but can’t stand to look at, whether it’s there out of necessity or because we try really hard not to look at it, or think about it, or generally acknowledge that it exists, so it stays right where it is. Well I want you to dig that thing up, and take a good long look at it. Close your eyes and picture the piece in your mind then picture it fading away, just as you would in spell work or a focused meditation.

Now open your eyes again.

I don’t want you to not see it as that horrible dresser hiding in the guest bedroom with the ugly knobs and good gods why did someone paint it that color?

No I want you to look at it as a blank canvas.

See what’s really there. Look at the shape, or function and then start imagining a version of it that you would like. Let your subconscious play around and picture what you could do with different pieces of the object. Would those drawers make great shadow boxes? Could the frame be used for a kids cubby box? Or is the shape great but with some new hardware and maybe paint of decoupage could the whole thing be reborn as a different dresser.

This is where having a Thrifting Journal would really come in handy.

What is a Thrifting Journal you ask? Well a Thrifting Journal is a nifty little tool that helps to keep you organized.

This can be a notebook, a binder, or just about anything you want to use really. You can even decorate it up if you want to. The essential part of it is that you need to be able to write in it. My own journal has taken many forms- from a binder to a notebook to it’s current form, an address book that I found on sale. The most important part is that it is something that will be comfortable for you to use. Because if it isn’t convenient and comfortable I probably ain’t going to use it. I’m a little chaotic that way

I have found three sections to be indispensable to me- a list of shops that I frequent, a list of my current projects, and a list of materials that I have available (I am a sucker for a good list, lol).

The first on the list (there are those lists again) of things that I find helpful in my journal is which shops I enjoy shopping at and what they usually have a good selection of and the general vibe of the establishment. Do they have a lot of this or that? Are most of the pieces positive, negative, or even neutral? Are the staff pleasant, attentive, and professional? Ask yourself these questions about the shops that you frequent as well as any shops you may stop by for the first time. Being on the prowl for a deal doesn’t mean you should have to frequent establishments that stock a lot of negative items or whose staff is offensive or rude. All hunters have their favorite hunting grounds so why shouldn’t you? Also, some shops will have discount days that give you 50% off and so on during certain times of day, or days of the week, or on certain types of stock. These are great things to note down so that you can get things even cheaper. Having this information in one spot can help you find just what you’re looking for and make shopping for projects hassle free and fun.

The next on my list of must have sections for my journal is a list of what projects I am currently working on and what I am getting ready to start. This helps me to budget not only my funds, but my time and available project space. Getting your own special ritual space, or home decked out in proper witchy style shouldn’t be a stressful process. You should be able to take your time and let your creative juices flow allowing you to pour the good feelings and power into your creations. Taking on more than you can comfortably handle is a sure way to end up stressed and not enjoying the creative flow. Keeping a list of what projects you already have on your plate and what is still waiting to be done is a great way to keep things manageable.

The last of the lists that help keep me sane and crafting my heart out is a list of the materials that I have on hand. Every time I see a wonderful new project take form from the interesting things I find on one of my thrifting safari’s I like to be able to know that I can complete it without having to run out for supplies in the middle. Nothing adds stress like starting on a project only to realize that you need more glue sticks after you already half glued it (I have found that things most things need way more hot glue than I ever thought they would there fore I have formed a hypothesis that hot glue does, in fact, hold parts of the universe together). Or that I’m out of the ribbon that I  had seen in my head for the trim or the paint tube for the embellishments is almost empty. Our local craft stores are more than used to seeing me wander down their aisles with crazy eyes and bits of paper stuck in my hair and it’s never pretty.

Mainly though, just remember that this is your journal. Include anything that you’ll think is useful to you. I would highly suggest including drawings or descriptions of project ideas, color schemes, or anything that you feel you’ll want to use later. This is your place to keep track of how you’re projects are going and what you want your space to look and feel like. Your Thrifting Journal can be your best friend and handiest tool.