WitchCrafts

One of the things that seems to go hand in hand with our spirituality is the presence of various types of Wiccan or pagan calendars, along with an astounding abundance of books, almanacs, multiple tarot card decks, you get the picture.  There have been so many times that I have just fallen in love with the artwork for a particular month in a calendar, or received a deck of tarot cards as a gift which while beautiful, just didn’t “vibe” with me.

The bottom line is over the years we come in contact with some really outstanding pagan themed artwork from a multitude of sources.  Since there are just so many spaces for framed art from a calendar, or one of those “Leanin’ Tree” (I love those) cards that we got for some occassion, or whatever, it got me to thinking about other ways to display what can be literally an endless supply of art pieces that speak to us, or about us, in so many ways.  After some serious delving into the gray matter it occured to me, why not use these items for Decoupage. I had’nt thought about that since arts and crafts class in elementary school, but I always loved doing it.  So now that I was a Witch on a mission it was off to the craft store.  I was amazed to find not just how easy it actually is, but that they sell all sizes and shapes of super heavy cardboard boxes that you can first paint with acrylics in whatever way you like, then add the items you wish to decoupage.  In order to do this you’ll need to buy a product called Mod Podge, which is a waterbase combination sealer, glue, and matte finish.  The easiest way for me to apply it was by using a sponge brush.  I was really looking forward to getting the stuff home and seeing how it went.  I was blown away at the simplicity and uniqueness of the finished product, which just hours before had been a plain octagon shaped craft box.

Then I started thinking about all the plain old wooden funiture that most of us either already have laying around, or can be found at yard sales and thrift stores for next to nothing.  What about making a super personal altar?  Pretty much the skies the limit.  I have done boxes in which to keep my herbs, covered an old wooden cabinet with a sponge faux finish and tarot cards, and have even made a totally non-wiccan victorian themed box for a family member.

The Mod podge itself is an adequate sealer for most applications, unless the possibilty of getting wet exists.  Since it’s water based you need to use some type of varnish if you’re uncertain.  In addition to using calendar prints and such, I have printed out images found online and then taken them to a copy store and had the image enlarged.  In addition to furniture, etc. you can actually do whole walls.  For example collect fairies, mushrooms, a frog or two, a smiley face moon and you can create a wall for a childs room that will really stimulate their imaginations!  Black and white illustrations in almanacs can be done with colored pencils or whatever works for you and then used, or doing all black and white can be awesome also.

All in all this is a very cool project.  It’s inexpensive, creative, challenges the mind, and it’s something you can do with or for your kids.  Just one warning, you’ll never look at the antique wooden funiture at Aunt Martha’s house in quite the same way again!!  Happy crafting and a Blessed Samhain to you all!