Monday Make A - Treasure Boxes

Treasure Boxes: Litha Craft for Witchlings
by WindSeeker; Cauldrons and Broomsticks

Materials:

• Sturdy cardboard box (shoe boxes are the best choice)
• natural items for decoration
• white glue
• med-size paint brush

This little box is for the youngster to collect "treasured" memories from summer. Start with a large shoe box and lid. Let the child collect some items from the yard, the park, and/or the beach. Glue flat items to the box, and place the non-flat items inside. To give the box a more durable finish, brush on a coat of white glue diluted with water. Encourage the child to tell stories of where the different items came from, or make up stories about the contents.

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Disclaimer: No one involved in this blog or its contents may be held responsible for any adverse reactions arising from following any of the instructions/recipes on this list. It is the reader’s personal responsibility to exercise all precautions and use his or her own discretion if following any instructions or advice from this blog.

Monday Make A- Witchlet Crafts Puppets & Bird Feeders

Earth Puppets: Litha/Midsummer Craft for Witchlings
by WindSeeker; Cauldron & Broomsticks

Summer Solstice, Litha, Midsummer, Gathering Day, Feill-Sheathain: longest day of the year, and the shortest night; when the sun reaches his apex in the sky, and the days will now grow shorter as the light begins to wane. To celebrate the Summer Solstice with your young ones, try making Earth Puppets.

Materials:

• Use natural items found in the yard
• tape
• glue

The easiest kind of puppets can be made from a twig. Select a twig that forks. You now have 2 arms and a handle to hold the puppet with. Find a fallen flower, and tape the stem to the handle for the head. You can also tape the stem of a fallen leaf to the handle for the head. For clothing, wrap a leaf around the handle, and your puppet has natural summer wear. Another puppet can be made with a pine cone. Glue the pine cone to the forked twig, for the head. Dried and fresh grass make loads of hair styles, beards, and mustaches. Use seeds or small rocks for eyes, nose, and mouth. Make clothing out of leaves and bonnets out of flower petals or acorn caps. Use a large box or table for the stage, and enjoy the show.

 

Fairies' Feathered Friend Feeder: Litha Craft for Witchlings
by WindSeeker; Cauldron & Broomsticks

Making this craft is a good way to tell child how fairies, brownies, and sprites ride on the backs of birds to get from one place to another if it is too far to walk.

Materials:

• An empty milk carton
• nontoxic paint
• glitter
• white glue
• Popsicle sticks
• 10" wooden dowel w/ 1/4" diameter
• wire hanger (cut bottom of hanger for inserting into milk carton)
• birdseed.

Rinse out milk carton thoroughly. Do not completely open top, rather glue open spout back together. Cut 3" wide by 4" long arched openings on "spout" side and opposite side of carton, with base of opening approx. 3" from bottom of carton. Let the child paint the outside of the carton in Litha colors of red, yellow, orange, white, green. Before the paint dries let child sprinkle colored glitter all over the carton, (birds are attracted to shiny objects). Let carton dry. Glue painted or non-painted Popsicle stick shingles onto the top of the carton as a roof. For the perches, poke holes in the carton just below the openings, and slip the wooden dowel through the holes. Poke two holes in the top of the carton just under the roof, insert one end of the cut hanger into each hole. Fill the bottom of the carton with wild birdseed. Hang in a spot that is easy to view, but far enough away from fences or other objects to thwart predators.

Disclaimer: No one involved in this blog or its contents may be held responsible for any adverse reactions arising from following any of the instructions/recipes on this list. It is the reader's personal responsibility to exercise all precautions and use his or her own discretion if following any instructions or advice from `this blog.

Thursday This Is Your Spell Swap – Monday Make A Child’s Book of Shadows

Children's Book of Shadows
By Baboo Kyra Finch (permission given – you can find more work from this wonderful lady at A Witch’s Teat)

A Book of Shadows can be a Pagan equivalent of a Baby Book. It's a record of your children's growth and development into strong, creative, and psychic individuals. Keep a copy for yourself for as long as they will allow you to do so. I recently found some stories and drawings by my older daughter from her
grammar school days. One is a picture of Morgana Le Fay, her namesake. The story is about a magick necklace lost by a Witch and found by a young girl. Her birthright is clearly shining through the pages. I prefer using a loose leaf notebook with page holes reinforced. This way you can keep sections organized
according to topic. If this is too anal for you, do whatever works.

Have your child decorate the binder. It will create a sense of ownership from the very beginning. Book should contain stories, crafts, pressed plants, spells, drawings, chants, and so on. Just remember whose Book it is. You can make your own! Include your kid's favorite folk stories and faerie tales and their
illustrations. I have some wonderful drawings of Baba Yaga's dancing house done by my camp kids. Put in all the stories they create, preferably dictated and transcribed in their own words. Read these together, often, from the Book, adding to them, making changes. Keep the originals intact. I like to leave several blank pages between each entry for this purpose. Date everything. The beauty of this is in watching the changes take place.

Learning how to create poetry is especially important. Poetry turns into spells and chants. Rhyming words have a great deal of power. A person who can think in rhyme can harness their Will efficiently. Start with simple rhyming words. Progress to couplets and limericks. Use a drum to teach rhythm. Put everything
into the book. Date the pictures from all the Sabbats. Take pictures of all altars. Have your child describe ritual robes, items on the altars, and the purpose of the ritual as they see it. Write it down. date it! As you have probably guessed, I am very bad at dating things. Learn from my mistakes. It's hard to brag about what an amazing Witchlet your child is if you can't remember whether he drew the picture when he was three or nine years old. Oh, if you can't remember, say three. It sounds better.

Keep a separate section on herb lore and healing. You can get plastic covers to protect pages of glued on, pressed plants. Otherwise, you're likely to find a fine powder and some fat silverfish instead of a plant sample in a few years. It's a good idea to have only one or two plants on each page. Date it. Note the names (Latin and common) of the plant, where it was found, what it is used for and any myths or folk lore attached to the plant. On the back of the page, you can write down recipes, cautions, and the results of personal use. Does it taste good? Does it sting? Did it work? What's the best way to use it: tea, tincture, salve, or poultice?

You should be merely a secretary. All information should be in your child's own words. It's also interesting to have samples of the same plant taken at different times of the year. Note when it flowers, fruits, and goes dormant. Plants can look remarkably different from location to location, and in different seasons. It's a good idea to learn to identify plants from one or two consistent characteristics. Write these down and keep track of the usefulness of the information. For example: poison hemlock smells like a dirty mouse den – wild celery smells like celery, wild carrot (Queen Anne's Lace) smells like carrots; comfrey smells like cucumbers - Foxglove does not; Nettles' leaves look like they were cut with pinking shears and they sting. Plantain has veins that come from the center of the stem, rather than branching from a central vein; it has concave stems and grows from a central cluster. Learning to look at plants gives a real sense of how the wheel of the year turns, the Goddess Changes, and the Green Man is born, grows old, seeds and dies and is once again born in the spring.

You can make similar entries for feathers, noting the bird it came from, when you found it, and what it represents. Owl feathers are striped and denote wisdom. Raven feathers are longer and more blade shaped than Crow feathers. The Red Breasted Flicker has bright orange feathers. Find special rocks. Try to identify them and enter the information along with the date and circumstances under which you found them. Ask about the deities and the Sabbats and transcribe what your child tells you. Take pictures of your child dressed as Gods and Goddesses.

This is a good place to start teaching your child the runes and other secret alphabets. I've found that children who start learning to read and write before four absorb the ability as a language rather than a skill. They stash it in a different part of the brain, a deeper part, and never remember not knowing how to do these things. I think that children with several languages, including American Sign Language and the scribing languages, perceive the world in a broader and more varied manner. They don't just think in terms of sound, but with their eyes and bodies as well. When you have added the non-spoken languages to their repertoire, you have people who think and communicate in many different dimensions. This increases psychic abilities.

This book is a journal, not of the mundane world but the world of Spirit. Treasure the pages you've copied. You can share it until the day the book's owner tells you that it is private. At that time, go in your bathroom and have a good cry. Your baby just took another snip out of the umbilical cord. My grandfather read to me daily. My mother and grandmother told me stories, took me to the ballet and other forms of theater. This is how I learned about the deities, and how I taught my children.

For more ideas on creating a book of shadows, you can go here, here, and here.

bb,

Disclaimer: No one involved in this blog or its contents may be held responsible for any adverse reactions arising from following any of the instructions/recipes on this list. It is the reader's personal responsibility to exercise all precautions and use his or her own discretion if following any instructions or advice from `this blog.

Monday Make A – May Pole &/or Mosaic Flower Pot

Both of these were found on The Goddess Within – A Pagan Place For Women

Make Your Own May Pole

You can make your own small tabletop version of the May Pole, this apparently ancient pagan agricultural symbol around which much festivity and dancing ensues. Most agricultural cultures seem to have similar institutions.

Needed:

• Paper Towel Roll
• Paint
• Cardboard
• Ribbon or streamers
• Tape
• Scissors
• Flowers (optional)

Paint the paper towel roll a bright color and let it dry. Tape one end of the painted roll onto a small piece of cardboard so it stands up straight. Wrap colorful ribbon around the roll and secure with tape. Cut lengths of ribbon or streamer to hang on the outside of your May Pole. The ribbon pieces should be just a little longer than the roll. Going around the roll, tape one end of each ribbon length to the inside top edge of the roll. If you like, decorate the top of your May Pole with flowers.

Hand Mosaiced Flower Pots

You will need...

• mosaic tiles purchased from hobby store OR
• colorful plates carefully broken into mosaic-sized pieces
• 4 oz. bottle of tile Adhesive (purchased from hobby store)
• 8 oz. jar premixed grout (purchased from hobby store)
• Tile nippers (purchased from hobby store)
• Plastic Grout Spreading Tool (purchased from hobby store)
• Grout Sponge (purchased from hobby store)

Directions:
Dab a little glue on each of the four corners of each tile and carefully place tile on rim of flowerpot. Center the tile along the rim, a little below the top edge.  Continue gluing down the tiles until the rim is covered. The last tile may need to be nipped to fit. Continue gluing tiles onto the base of the pot so that they fit neatly together and the colors are evenly distributed. Continue working until the whole pot is covered in an attractive "crazy quilt" design. While the adhesive is still wet, tiles can be shifted with a craft stick until you are satisfied with the positioning. The adhesive will begin to dry within 5 to 7 minutes. Do not attempt to reposition the tile after the adhesive begins to set. The adhesive dries clear and can be peeled off, so don't worry if you get a little on the visible side of the tile. Make sure to keep your hands clean and free of adhesive while applying tile. Wash hands as needed. Allow the tiles to dry for at least 12 hours (overnight is better).

Grouting
Fill a container with water and have handy plenty of paper towels. Run strips of masking tape along the inner sides of the pot to keep off the grout. Using a plastic Grout Spreader Tool, scoop out grout and spread it over the tiles and into the 'crevices' between the tiles. Work the grout into the crevices until it becomes smooth and level with the tile surface. The best way to do this is by spreading the grout in one direction and then spreading it in the opposite direction. When you have finished applying grout, wait about 15 minutes for it to harden slightly. Dampen Grout Sponge with cool water and squeeze it. The sponge should be damp, but not soaking wet. Gently wipe the dampened sponge across the tile surface, removing excess grout from all surfaces. Wash out the sponge periodically while cleaning tile, as it really soaks up the grout. Allow to dry overnight. Gently loosen any remaining excess grout from tile with a wooden craft stick. Gently polish tiles with a paper towel or cloth. For extra shiny tiles, polish with a small amount of vegetable or olive oil. Give your pot as a gift or plant in it yourself!

Disclaimer: No one involved in this blog or its contents may be held responsible for any adverse reactions arising from following any of the instructions/recipes on this list. It is the reader's personal responsibility to exercise all precautions and use his or her own discretion if following any instructions or advice from `this blog.

Monday Make A - May Pole Candles

May Pole Candles
Author Unknown
Found at Hearth & Home Witchery

You will need:

• Lots of pretty ribbons
• Tall white or green pillar candle
• Silver or brass "Craft Bells"
• Candle holder (stand)

Cut lengths of ribbon around 18 inches each, in pretty Springtime colors. (pastels) Tie a craft bell to each end of ribbon (a tooth pick helps this process). Tie ribbons starting at 3/4 way down the pillar candle, knot three times don't tie bows, you need lots of length on the ribbons. Tie as many as you like snaking your way up the candle, but leave at least 1/4 candle bare. Place in a candle stand that will raise the candle about 6 - 8 inches, so the ribbons can "drape" Swirl the bundle of ribbons so they face East, ready to greet the dawn. Light candle and cheer the Spring time blessings to come.

Disclaimer: No one involved in this blog or its contents may be held responsible for any adverse reactions arising from following any of the instructions / recipes on this list. It is the reader’s personal responsibility to exercise all precautions and use his or her own discretion if following any instructions or advice from this blog

Monday Make A – Fairy Furniture

Fairies

I believe the source for this is “Garden Spells: The Magic of Herbs, Trees and Flowers“ by Claire Nahmad, but I’m not sure. Even if it isn’t, it is still a good source for information if you’re inclined towards fairies…

'The faery beam upon you,
The stars to glister on you;
A Moon of light,
In the Noon of night,
...And the luckier lot betide you'

- Ben Jonson

To accept that fairies do indeed exist, and that cooperation with them in the creation of a garden will richly benefit all that grows in it, is a part of the wisewomen's ancient doctrine. If you would know and work with the fairies, you must seek to draw near to them. They are curious about human folk, and are ready to love them; but they are also afraid and angry. With our dirty, greedy ways, we commit abomination in their world. To soothe them, we must attune ourselves to Nature, and do things her way. When we pour out love into the heart of the garden, and cherish each living thing in it, both humble and magnificent, beautiful and ugly, then we may begin to see the fairies. Peep at them from the corners of your eyes, as if they were shy woodland creatures which you might frighten away with a direct penetrating glance. Look deep into the lovely forms of the flowers and trees you care for, and you will see the essence of their spirit. The color of each plant glows radiantly, because each reflects the hue of the nature-being that brings their life energy to them. Every differing shade of color has a story to tell of the inner worlds. Look particularly at apple blossom in the springtime, and let your fancy weave tales of the Goddess, for the loom of the imagination brings truth to our hearts.

To open your heart to the fairies, you must nurture these feelings of wonder, reverence and love for every detail of your garden, for the airs which blow about it, the musical rain which falls gently upon it, the moon and the stars which silently look down on it, the great sun which is the source of its being, and for the clouds and the changing skies which provide it with a canopy. When you can truly feel the sweetness of this magic, you will begin to discover the fairies, for they will make themselves known to you.

Fairy Furniture
found at Draco’s Rose

May is a month that fairies love. Show them your appreciation and give the kids a great project by making them some furniture!
Items needed:

• twigs
• vines
• dried flowers
• needle and thread
• scrap material
• scissors
• hot glue gun-be sure little fingers are safe!
• pruners to cut the twigs-again watch those little fingers

Directions:
Decide what you're going to make. We'll make a chair, to give you an example. Cut the twigs in this manner - one long, bendable piece that will form the back legs and back of the chair, and four equal length twigs which will form the two front legs and the seat. The chair should stand no more than four inches tall (including the back). Bend the long twig and hot glue one of the smaller pieces in between the two ends where you want the seat to be. This will be the back of the seat. Hot glue on each side of the bent twig facing towards you a smaller twig; - these will be the sides of the seat. Glue the front piece of the seat to these side twigs. Glue the two front legs to the seat so that the chair legs are even. If you wish, wrap the vines around the chair back and legs. Cut the scrap material to form a "back" and a "seat" - these are not to be as wide as the chair, but will fit inside of the twigs. Using your needle and thread, attach the material to the chair using a whip stitch. Hot glue small dried flowers at the top of the chair. This technique can be used to make all kinds of fairy furniture, from tables to beds, to sofas - all of which are sure to delight your fairies as much as your children!

Disclaimer: No one involved in this blog or its contents may be held responsible for any adverse reactions arising from following any of the instructions / recipes on this list. It is the reader’s personal responsibility to exercise all precautions and use his or her own discretion if following any instructions or advice from this blog

Monday Make A - Beltane Paper Plate Flower Decoration

Beltane Paper Plate Flower Decoration

Got the Winter Blues..? Ready for Spring to spring? As I sit here watching the snow fall out my window (Yes, it’s snowing, today April 6 in Indiana…) This is a fast and easy craft you can do with your witchlings to chase away the doldrums :)

You Need:

• 6" paper plate
• You will need the following artificial foliage, available at any craft store – (you could probably get them cheaper at Walmart)
  • 8 leaves, the long skinny ones,
  • 4 oak leaves
  • 1 large flower,
  • 1 daisy
  • 5 small flowers of differing, complimentary colors
• 8” piece of complimentary colored suede cord
• deep lilac, robin’s egg blue, bright pink, or bright yellow paint
• masking tape
• white craft glue
• newspapers

Step By Step Instructions

Begin by covering your work area with newspaper. Using the paint, cover the surface of the plate. Remove the plastic stems from the backs of the leaves and arrange them around the top of the painted plate. Arrange them to your satisfaction – kids seem to have a natural talent for this kind of thing :) Using the craft glue, carefully lift each leaf, apply a thin line of glue to the part that will be on the plate, then put it back in place, pressing lightly to spread the glue and allow the leaf to “set” to the plate.

Cut as much stem from the flowers as you can without causing them to fall apart. Place the large flower in the middle of the plate, when you have it where you like it, apply a generous amount of glue and press it to the plate. Place one of the small flowers in the middle of the large one. Arrange the remaining small flowers around the bottom of the plate until satisfied, then glue the same way as the others.

When the glue is completely dry, cut the cord and secure it to the back of the plate for hanging. Tape it securely in place using the masking tape, and you’re done!

Disclaimer: No one involved in this blog or its contents may be held responsible for any adverse reactions arising from following any of the instructions/recipes on this list. It is the reader's personal responsibility to exercise all precautions and use his or her own discretion if following any instructions or advice from this blog.

Monday Make A - May Basket

May Baskets
Found at Gingerbread Grandma’s Cauldron

Materials:

• Paper doily or other paper cut in a 9" circle
• Stapler or glue
• Pipe Cleaner
• Hole Punch
• Scissors
• Small fresh cut flowers with stems about 4" long
• Paper towel
• A piece of aluminum foil or plastic wrap

Cut a slit in the paper from one edge to the center of the circle. Overlap the cut edges and twist the paper so that a cone is formed. Staple or glue the edge to hold the cone shape. Punch holes on opposite sides of the top of the cone. Form hooks on both ends of the pipe cleaner and put the ends through the punched holes to form a handle. Twist the ends of the pipe cleaner around so that they stay in the holes. Dampen the paper towel and squeeze out most of the extra water. Wrap the ends of the flower stems with the paper towel, then wrap with the aluminum foil or plastic wrap. Slide the wrapped flowers into the cone.

On Beltane morning, hang the May basket on the doorknob of friends or neighbors. Ring the doorbell and hide to watch your friend's reaction to the flowers. : )

Disclaimer: No one involved in this blog or its contents may be held responsible for any adverse reactions arising from following any of the instructions / recipes on this list. It is the reader's personal responsibility to exercise all precautions and use his or her own discretion if following any instructions or advice from this blog

Monday Make A – Beltane Crafts for Kids

Some Ideas for Beltane Kids Crafts
posted by Meredith

Braiding & Wreaths - Make a wreath either as house decoration, or as a crown for your head. You could also braid your hair or your children's hair.

Make a May Bowl or Wine - For the kids, make strawberry kool-aid & add some strawberries to their punch. Or for a special addition, add strawberry ice cream! Drink a toast to the glory of May.

Bless Water - Bless a nearby water source, such as a river, spring, lake or ocean. This can be as simple as tossing your Beltane wreath of flowers in the water after a ritual & giving appropriate thanks. Get as elaborate as you wish. Kids ought to love throwing flowers in water!

Personal Decoration - Paint your body with sun signs or signs of spring. Wear jewelry that signifies spring. On the first of May, wear your most colorful clothes or dress all in green (the color of the fairies). Consider wearing a flower in your hair. This would be a great time to wear your loudest family heirloom jewelry that's just a bit too much for regular wear. Children might enjoy dressing in this spirit of nature, all in green, on May Day, or even dressing their dolls and soft toys in green and white costume.

Gifts - Gather flowers with special messages for friends and relatives. Make up your own explanation of the meaning of each flower and give it along with the bouquet. For friends at a distance, send pressed flowers or May Day cards or packets of flower seeds. Some other appropriate gifts might be; perfume, incense, candied flower petals, herbs, sachets and artificial flowers. Or you could run around, under cover of darkness, leaving May baskets of flowers on doorsteps. Prepare a May basket by filling it with flowers and goodwill and then give it to someone in need of healing and caring, such as a shut-in or elderly friend.

Make a Greenman - You can make your own Green Man figure, He might be a topiary, completely covered with green vine, in the shape of a man. Or he could be a figure, like the scarecrow, a system of 2"X 4" planks screwed together in a human shape, then dressed all in green; with a growing planted pot for a head, rusted pronged spades for hands, and a piece of garden hose for a belt

Disclaimer: No one involved in this blog or its contents may be held responsible for any adverse reactions arising from following any of the instructions/recipes on this list. It is the reader's personal responsibility to exercise all precautions and use his or her own discretion if following any instructions or advice from this blog.

Monday Make A – Magical Crystal Ostara Eggs

How To Make Magical Crystal Ostara Eggs
By Patti Wigington, About.com

This is a neat craft project you can make before Ostara. Hide these eggs for your kids to find, and then when they crack them open, they can find the treasure hidden inside!
Difficulty: Average
Time Required: Varied 
You'll need:

• 1 C. all-purpose flour
• ½ C. salt
• ¼ C. clean sand
• 1 C. used coffee grounds
• ¾ C. warm water
• Crystals or gemstones
• Non-stick cooking spray
• Acrylic paints in your favorite colors

Blend flour, salt, sand and coffee grounds together. Gradually add the water, and knead until you've got a thick, gritty dough. Spray a crystal lightly with non-stick cooking spray, and place it in the center of a small scoop of dough. Shape the dough around the crystal to form an egg shape. Bake the eggs at 350 for about 15 minutes, and allow to cool. Once they've cooled, they should be nice and hard, like a rock. Paint the eggs, and allow paint to dry. Hide the eggs on Ostara, and let your kids crack them open to reveal the hidden crystals!

 

Disclaimer: No one involved in this blog or its contents may be held responsible for any adverse reactions arising from following any of the instructions / recipes on this list. It is the reader's personal responsibility to exercise all precautions and use his or her own discretion if following any instructions or advice from this blog

Monday Make A – Chicks In Nests

Chicks in Nests

You will need:

• Brown Yarn (cotton works the best),
• Three 1" Yellow Pom Poms,
• Orange Craft Foam,
• Six Wiggly Eyes,
• One Small Round Balloon,
• Liquid Starch,
• Tacky Glue,
• Scissors,
• Bowl,
• Newspapers

Blow up balloon to about 4". Tie off. Use a piece of yarn to hang it over your work area. (Working on the kitchen counter and hang the balloon from an upper cabinet knob works well.)  Place newspaper under balloon to catch drips. Pour a cup of Liquid Starch into an old bowl. Cut several 4' pieces of yarn and place them into the starch. Make sure each strand is coated evenly with starch. Wrap starched yarn pieces around balloon in all directions until balloon is covered to look like filigree. Cut and dip as many pieces of yarn as you need. There will be empty spots where the balloon shows through. Let dry overnight. Cut down your yarn covered balloon. Pop the balloon and pull it out. Cut the yarn ball in half. You may want to set one half of the nest inside of the other for a fuller looking nest or use each half to make one nest. Cut six small triangles for beaks. Glue two on to each pom pom to make it look like the chick's mouth is open. Glue on eyes. Glue chicks in nest.

I found this at PaganSpace The social network for the occult community on the Pagan Crafts Discussion page. If you haven’t yet discovered Pagan Space, go check it out – It’s essentially My Space or Facebook, but specifically for pagans. You will find a link over in the Good Stuffs! Places to visit list on my sidebar. The poster indicated they found it at Making Friends.

Disclaimer: No one involved in this blog or its contents may be held responsible for any adverse reactions arising from following any of the instructions / recipes on this list. It is the reader's personal responsibility to exercise all precautions and use his or her own discretion if following any instructions or advice from this blog

Monday Make An – Egg Shell Mosaics

Eostare, Ostara, Easter, no matter what you call it, almost all celebrations of the upcoming holiday involve eggs. Usually hard boiled eggs. Which are yummy, but can also be a bit messy, especially with little ones involved! And trying to tell your witchlet to “be careful not to get eggshells everywhere, because they’re a b*^ch to clean up” tends to have little to no effect on the actions of said witchlet. Who cares about cleaning up the mess when they’re 2 or 3 or 17…or male…(with my anal retentive, neat-freak Hunny being a notable exception to that last category…)
But! “be careful with those shells, because we’re going to use them to do a craft & make a beautiful mosaic you can keep forever!” might have a bit more effect. Theoretically. (on the witchlets, but probably not the males…).
Anyway, with that in mind we have today’s craft idea :)

bb

 

* Egg Shell Mosaics *
From ShadoeRose <

You will need:

• Colored egg shells
• Construction paper
• Pencil, crayon, or marker
• Glue
• Your imagination

How to proceed: Carefully peel the shells from the colored eggs. Remove the membrane from the inside of the shell (otherwise, it will smell over time). The shell pieces should be large enough to handle, and small enough to lay mostly flat when placed on paper. Group like colors together. Draw an outline for the mosaic on the construction paper (this may be necessary for younger children, or if you can't complete the project in one sitting). You may want to use Sabbat-appropriate designs, or just whatever takes your fancy. Coat the mosaic area with glue. Place eggshells on the glue in the patterns you desire. Allow the glue to dry.

Monday Make A - Potpourri Ostara Eggs

Hope everyone who wanted to read this article did so. I received the following comment on this:


B has left a new comment on your post "Monday Make A - Potpourri Ostara Eggs":

Please contact me at your earliest convenience with regard to the copyright laws concerning this article, Beautiful Potpourri Easter Eggs by Shae Cooke. Its use in whole or in part and/or alteration in any form is in breach of the copyright laws assigned to this article by the United States of America and Canada, and by its publication in which it originally appeared which holds full rights. Request that you pull article in its entirety from your site, and sites associated with it: witchswonderfulworld.blogspot.com as soon as possible. If you have questions please contact Bob Feinstone at bobfeinstonelegalwrite@gmail.com
Should this article not be pulled within a reasonable amount of time, legal action will be pursued. Thank you


I am pulling it off, but let me just say a few things - first off, I didn't in any way, shape or form claim authorship, I found good information (several years ago, I might add) and wanted to share it. Secondly, if someone wants to take something I wrote, and post it ANYWHERE, I have no problem with that. As a matter-of-fact, I'd be THRILLED, and sending thanks, not requests to remove it. But then again, I believe knowledge is for everyone. If something of mine had been out of circulation for years, and someone else posted it somewhere, unless they claim to have written it, how could that be anything but good..? I guess some people just can't take a compliment...
bb
dawtch

Monday Make A – Candles for Witches and Bride Bed for Witchlets

* Hand-Dipped Candles *
from ShadoeRose

Imbolc is often called Candlemas and is a festival of returning light. In some traditions of Witchcraft, candles are made on this date that will be used for ritual during the rest of the year. If you are interested in making your own hand-dipped candles, here are instructions: You need to obtain the following supplies:

• 2 - 4 pounds of Paraffin Wax (the kind used in canning) or beeswax (which is usually expensive).
• Candle wick (available at most hobby and craft stores)
• oils and herbs
• candle dye or crayons (but make sure they are the non-asbestos ones)
• wax paper
• a wooden spoon
• a double broiler.

Begin by melting the wax in a double broiler. If you don't have one, you can use a large pot filled half full of water and a large coffee tin with the wax in it, sitting inside the pot. Heat the water to boiling first and cut up your wax so it will melt quickly. Once the water is boiling, turn the heat down and place the tin of wax inside of it. Keep the water hot enough to keep the wax melted but not so hot that the paraffin catches fire (which it has been known to do over high heat). While the wax to melting, stir with a wooden spoon (never use metal) & make sure it all is completely melted.
Also, while the wax is melting, mix the herbs (if more than one) in a small bowl. After the wax is completely melted and been checked, break the crayons up and put them into the wax. Keep stirring until all of the crayons have melted and the color is even and smooth, with no streaks. Keep in mind that the candle will be a shade or so lighter when dry. The more crayons – the deeper and richer the color, so experiment. Next, add the herbs to the wax. Stir with the wooden spoon until it is thoroughly mixed. Next, add 10 – 20 drops of essential oil to the wax until it smells strongly of the fragrance intended. Now your wax is ready. Start with a long piece of wick - twice the size of your desired candle length plus 3 inches (you will be making 2 candles at once). Bend the wick in the middle and hold it by the bend. Dip the wick into the wax and then lift back out. Getting started is the hardest because the wick will float on top of the wax until it has enough wax on it to weigh it down. Allow it to get completely cold between dippings when you first start. After your candle has started to take shape, you can speed up the process a little. I keep a pan of cool water nearby and dip the candles in the water after each dipping in the wax. While this speeds up the process a little, candle making is a slow process but very well worth the time you put into it. Keep dipping the candles and allowing them to cool & then dip again. When you have achieved the proper size, hang them to dry until the wax has set but the candles aren't too hard. Then roll them on the wax paper to smooth out the shape. Once the candle shape is too your liking, dip 1  or 2 more times to make sure your candle is smooth. Trim off any excess wax to make a bottom with a sharp knife. Cut the wick and hang your candles to dry.
You are done!

For the Witchlets

* Bride's Bed *
Copyright © 1997-99 Akasha, Herne and The Celtic Connection

Materials:

• A Box
• Colored Construction Paper
• White, Yellow, Green, and Red Tissue Paper
• White Flowers or Cotton Balls
• Glue
• Paint Brush
• Crayons
• Scissors
• Glitter

This is a great little activity for the smaller children in the household, and they too can boast of helping with your altar decor. Paint one side of the box at a time with a bit of glue, not too thick, just enough to adhere green tissue paper. Cover the entire outside of the box with the green tissue paper. Cut a 2" wide strip of colored construction paper the length of the sheet (11"/14"). Let the child draw symbols and pictures that reminds them of Spring, the Goddess, brides, and weddings on the strip. Cut the white and yellow tissue paper into 2" diameter circles. While you are doing this, allow the child to draw pictures and symbols on the box with glue, and sprinkle with glitter. Place finger in the middle of a tissue square and draw up tissue around finger. Give a slight twist to crinkle paper into a flower shape. Remove finger and adhere to box and decorated construction paper strip with a dab of glue. Remember to leave about 1-1/2 inches on each end of strip. Attach these ends to the inside of the box with some glue. Let dry. Fill with white flowers or cotton balls. Tell story to children of how the Maiden is a Bride and that the Earth is her Bride's Bed.

 

 

Disclaimer: No one involved in this blog or its contents may be held responsible for any adverse reactions arising from following any of the instructions / recipes on this list. It is the reader's personal responsibility to exercise all precautions and use his or her own discretion if following any instructions or advice from this blog.

Monday Make A – The Chandler’s Craft

A chandler is the craft person who makes it possible to see at night. The craftsperson makes candles.

One of the nicest folk-customs still practiced in many countries, and especially by Witches in the British Isles and parts of the U.S., is to place a lighted candle in each and every window of the house (or at least the windows that faced the street), beginning at sundown on Candlemas Eve (February 1st), allowing them to continue burning until sunrise. Make sure that such candles are well seated against tipping and guarded from nearby curtains, etc. What a cheery sight it is on this cold, bleak and dreary night to see house after house with candle-lit windows! And, of course, if you are your Coven's chandler, or if you just happen to like making candles, Candlemas Day is the day for doing it. Some Covens hold candle-making parties and try to make and bless all the candles they'll be using for the whole year on this day.

~~ Candlemas: The Light Returns
By Mike Nichols; August 28, 2000

* The Chandler's Craft *
By Willow Ragan

Candles...

The very word evokes calm, mystery, warmth, romance and to those of us who walk in the ways of our ancestors: ceremony and ritual. Candles are as popular today as they were necessary as the only source of illumination in the not so distant past. In this day and age, candles are available in an ever-increasing variety of shapes, colors and scents. Scented, colored candles may work wonders in the bathroom while we soak in a hot tub, they may add a two-fold accent to a dinner-table setting or a casual get-together. Or they may give you a real headache if you're allergic to the synthetic perfumes used to give them their "unique" scents.
But what about ritual and magical purposes? Do you really want altar candles smelling of Gardenias and Sandalwood? Is cherry, blueberry or new mown hay the scent you had in mind when you carefully crafted your magical working? Has anyone been able to find good "old-fashioned" unscented, pillar or quarter candles recently? Well, maybe you have, but not in these parts and even in larger urban centers it's getting more and more difficult. From this frustration was born the idea for an article on the fine art of candle making. I realize many of you are probably too busy (as I often am) to make your own candles. Nevertheless you may find the odd afternoon or two that can be devoted to making up a stock of special or all-purpose candles.
Candle making can be approached as a form of ritual, no different than the crafting of an amulet or the making of an herbal charm. Making candles in consecrated space? Why not! They can be crafted on different days of the week or different phases of the moon and sun depending on their purpose. They can be made to specific color and scent combinations depending on the type of work of you'll be using them for. Powdered herbs can be added to the hot wax before pouring, small pieces of appropriate stone such quartz can be encrusted on the outer surface. The possibilities are endless.
In this article we'll be looking at the construction of the candles themselves. Information regarding the attributes of color, scent, herb and stones would turn a short article into a book far exceeding the size of this publication. At then end of the article you'll find a resource listing of candle making supply distributors, essential oils and bulk herb suppliers.

Candles

There are three types of candles: poured (molded), rolled and dipped. Depending on the method of fabrication, the wax can consist exclusively of beeswax, paraffin, or a mix of the two. Molded candles can have any shape or size, from multiple wicked pillars to delicate star or flower shapes suitable for floating in a bowl or goblet of water. They are usually made of pure paraffin or a mix of paraffin and beeswax. Rolled candles are made with sheets of beeswax that can be shaped into tapers, pillar and cones. Dipped candles come as tapers and can be made of pure beeswax, paraffin or a mix. With molded and dipped candles scent can be added to the molten wax, either through infusing herbs in the hot wax or by adding essential oils. Color can also be added to the hot wax. With rolled candles, scent is added to the wick. Beeswax sheets are available in many colors from their natural honey-beige through the usual white, black, reds, blues, greens and yellows. Some suppliers also carry metallic gold, silver and copper.

Wax

• Beeswax - It takes an estimated 160,000 bees to make 60 pounds of honey that will yield about 1 pound of wax. When female worker bees excrete the wax, it is relatively white and odorless. The depth of its color and fragrance are determined by the use the wax was put to in the hive and the type of flower the bees were feeding from. Beeswax candles burn longer than paraffin candles, they are also dripless making them safer to use with ornate altar-cloths.

• Paraffin - Paraffin, a petroleum product, revolutionized candle making in the 1860s. The addition of stearic acid, a purified form of tallow (hardened beef or sheep fat) makes the candles opaque and improves their burning quality. Acting as a hardening agent, 2 tbs. of stearic acid per pound of wax will produce a candle that drips less.

 

• Blend of beeswax and paraffin - When making molded candles it is advisable to use a blend of beeswax and paraffin. According to Canadian candle maker William Nelson, the perfect candle is 51% beeswax, 10% stearic acid and 39% paraffin. Using more than 51% beeswax yields a candle that is tacky to the touch and difficult to unmold. Pure beeswax poured candles can be made using heatproof containers that serve the dual purpose of mold and candleholder. One could also experiment with cardboard or thick paper containers such as milk cartons and hot beverage paper cups, these could simply be peeled away once the candle was hardened. Any bumps or lines from these "molds" can be burnished away by gently rubbing it with a finger.

Additives

Adding scent to candles can be accomplished in several ways. The method used will vary depending on the type of candle and the form of scent being used.

• Oil - Personally I prefer essential oils, it's what I recommend for adding scent to any magical or ritual preparation. To begin with, an oil created in living plant by the Mother is going to have a very different "feel" than synthetic chemicals mixed in a test-tube by someone whose sole objective is to make money. Secondly, I have yet to meet someone who has reacted badly to essential oils being used as air-borne scent (direct application of most undiluted essential oils to the skin is not recommended). Synthetic scents make me sneeze and give me a headache, included those is almost all of the most expensive perfumes. And finally synthetic candles scents are often simply too strong. With essential oils experimentation is necessary. The scent in the bottle may change when heated. To test, place a drop or two on a light. As the oil heats, its scent will diffuse, you'll then have a good idea of what the final product will be. Do not use "scented oils" such as perfumed oils or massage oils. The carrier base brings unnecessary additives to the wax and can affect the burning quality. Oils should be added to the hot wax just prior to pouring or dipping. The recommended amount is no more than 1/4 tsp. per pound of wax, or 1/2 fluid ounce per 5 pounds of wax. Stir it in well to distribute the oil throughout the wax so that it won't leave spots of discoloration as the wax hardens. Another way of adding oils to candles is to soak the wick in a small amount of oil before placing it in the mold or dipping. This is the method for adding scent to rolled candles.

• Herbal Infusion - To add the scent and magical properties of herbs to candles, the herbs and flowers can be infused directly in the hot wax. Heat the wax to pouring temperature and add the herbs. Maintain this temperature for 45 minutes, then strain the wax. Depending on the herb used, the scent with this method may be much softer than with essential oils. Some plants such as Rosemary and Lavender have more aromatic oils and will give a stronger scent. Essential oils could be added after straining to increase the scent.

• Dried Herbs - Adding crushed dried herbs to the wax before pouring (this can only be used for molded candles) will give a dappled appearance. Use loose dried herbs and matching essential oils for scent. The herbs will tend to drift towards the bottom of the candle.

• Herbs and Oils - Herbs and oils can be used in combination, as most magical formula call for several plants, some could be added as oils, infused herbs and others as dried herbs.

Color

Color can be added by two means. By using special candle dyes available through candle supply distributor and craft shops, or by using good quality wax crayons. Candle dyes will come with instructions. Wax crayons give a more pastel shading. Use no more than 1/2 crayon per pound of wax. Grate the crayon and add it to the melted wax. Stir it well to evenly distribute the color, to judge what the final color will look like, drop a teaspoon of the melted wax into a saucepan of cold water. It will set immediately, the color of the sample will be slightly lighter and less opaque than the finished candle.
***Note: some brands of crayons have been found to have asbestos in them. So research the brand that you will use for coloring to make sure that your candles are safe.

Equipment

Now that we've gone through the different substances used in candle making let's look at the equipment needed.

• For molded and poured candles an electric deep-fat fryer or slow cooker can be used. These can often be found at garage sales or flea markets. They're great if you're going to be making large amounts of candles. They are also safer because the heating element is enclosed - wax that comes into contact with an open flame can flash into a fire. If you don't have, can't find or won't sacrifice (if you use it for candles you can't cook in it again) your cookware, a double boiler can be improvised by using a pot of water and a large coffee or juice can. If using a tin can, crimp one section of the edge to make a pouring lip. The nice thing about the fryer or cooker is that they often have thermometers and you can set them to the exact temperature you require.
• In either case you'll need a candy thermometer to determine when the wax has reached pouring temperature. The smoothness of the finish (outside layer) is dependent on the temperature at pouring time.
• A melting pitcher or something heat proof to pour the hot wax from, preferably stainless steel with a pouring lip and handle.
• Potholder or oven mitt for handling the hot pitchers of wax. You could use a soup ladle in a pinch but it might get very messy, this is hot wax we're dealing with here.
• Which is why you want to cover your "pouring/dipping" area with heavy-duty aluminum foil or wax paper.
• Measuring spoons for oils, and stearic acid.
• Wooden skewers or knitting needles for stirring the hot wax and poking the still melted candle (this prevents stir bubbles).
• Scissors for cutting wicks.
• Wick rod, a small rod that is strong enough to tie the wick to in mild setups - pencils, small skewers, strong wire rod.
• Non-stick cooking spray wiped on the inside of the mold with a cloth, this helps the candle come out of the mold more easily.
• A sharp knife or pizza cutter and smooth cutting surface for making rolled candles.
• And of course, wax
• stearic acid
• wicking material
• crayons or wax color
• essential oils
• herbs
• molds.
• There are other tools needed for special techniques such as appliqué, they'll be enumerated when those topics are covered.

Methods of Fabrication

• How much wick - For molded and rolled candles, the wick should be at least 1/2 inch longer then the desired height of the candle. For dipped candles, see that section. Size 1/0 square braided wick will work in candles from 1/2 inch to 3 inches in diameter. Wick should be trimmed to 1/4 inch before burning.
• Molded candles - Prepare each mold by wiping the inside with a cloth that has been sprayed with cooking spray. If you're using milk cartons or other peel-away mold, skip this step. Place the wicking securely in the mold, if you're using peel-away molds, coat the wicking with wax so that it dries straight, put a small dab of hot wax in the bottom of the "mold" and stick the wick to it. Then wrap the top end around a pencil or skewer laid across the top of the mold.
  The mold is now ready to receive the molten wax. Melt the wax (and stearic acid, crayon or color buds if desired) and stir. Bring it to the recommended pouring temperature. This will be between 160 F and 190 F depending on the wax, follow the directions that come with the wax you buy. When the wax has reached the correct temperature add scent and dried herbs if you like. Pour the wax into the molds to the desired height. As the wax cools, the top, which becomes the bottom of the candle if you're using a commercial mold, will shrink and develop a hollow. Using a knitting needle poke through the surface a few times to eliminate any air pockets, then fill the depression with more wax. You may need to do this several times, depending on the size of your candle, to level off the top. Leave the candle to cool and harden 12 to 24 hours before removing it from the mold.
• Dipped candles - To make dipped candles, you need to use a pot that is a least 1 inch deeper than the desired length of the candles. You will also need to keep the wax topped off to the same level even as the candles increase in size. You also need to set up a drying rack before you begin making the candles. This "rack" can be made by laying a 2-3 inch wide piece of wood across the back of two chairs that are set a few feet apart. Put newspaper on the floor for the dripping wax to fall on. Any wax can be used, including pure beeswax. Wax temperature must remain constant - between 160 F and 170 F. If the wax is too hot, the previously accumulated wax will melt off, if it is too cold, the new layer will be lumpy.
  To make tapers, loop lengths of small-sized wicking about a foot longer than the desired length of the two candles. Each pair should be separated from other pairs by two to three inches along the edge of the board. Heat the wax as usual, and dip the wick in the wax to the depth of the desired length of candle for about five seconds. Placed the freshly dipped candles on the rack to set. Expect about 40 dips to produce a pair of candles a bit less than 1 inch wide across at the base.
• Rolled Candles - The basic thing to know about rolling beeswax candles is that they seem to roll the best at normal room temperature (70 -80 F). If the wax is too cold, it will not "want" to roll and may crack. At the very least it will not stick to itself and your candle will be loose and not burn well. If the wax is too warm it will be too soft to roll, the pattern in the wax will get flattened out while rolling, and your finger will leave dents in the candle. The most important thing is to get good contact between the wax sheet and the wick. Therefore, the first wrap is the most critical.
  Press the wick into the wax on all sides. Spread you finger along the length of the candle for even rolling, the outer edge simply gets pressed into the candle. If you like, slightly heat the wax (or a butter knife) to help blend the outer edge into the candle. This will help keep the candle from unraveling. The sheets are generally 8 x 16 inches, wide and long enough to make tapers, pillars and cones.
• Rolled Tapers - To make a pair of 8 inch tapers, use one sheet. Cut the sheet in half, place the wick along one edge. Roll it carefully, watching the edges to help you roll straight. For a tapered look, cut a small triangle off the top and start rolling from the longest end. Roll the same direction on the sheet so that the honeycomb pattern looks the same on both candles. To make 4 inch tapers, cut the sheet into 4 inch intervals, place wick along 4 inch edge and roll towards the opposite end. This is also the direction to roll in if you want to make single 12 or 16 inch tapers. One sheet will yield one 16 or one 12 and one 4 inch taper.
• Rolled Pillars - To make a 4 inch pillar, approximately 2.5 inches in diameter requires two full sheets. Place the sheets on top of the other and  cut the sheets in half length-ways. Place the wick along the 4 inch edge of one of the 4 x 16 inch sheets and roll tightly and evenly around the wick. After rolling that entire sheet into a small pillar candle, place the next sheet end to the end of the sheet you've just rolled and continue rolling, making sure that the top edge remains aligned. Continue doing this till all four sheets have been rolled into your pillar candle. The uncut edges are usually more attractive than the freshly cut edges, so position the sheets so that the newly cut edge will be on the bottom. You can also make an 8 x 3 inch pillar by using three sheet of wax, just place the wick along one end and roll as with the other candles, then place the second sheet against the edge of the first sheet and roll. Repeat with the third sheet.
• Rolled Cones - Spirals or cones happen because of a diagonal cut in a sheet of wax that is rolled against the straight edge of the sheet. Sheets can be placed end to end (with varying colors if desired) before the cut is made. This will yield two 8 inch spirals.

Special Techniques

Candles can be decorated by using and appliqué method. Pressed herbs and flowers or wax forms can be applied to candles. Appliqué is best suited to pillar candles, either round or square will do.

• Wax Appliqué
  For this technique you'll need:
• a "core" candle
• a cookie cutter in the desired shape (star, flower, etc.) or sharp knife to carve with if you're using a symbol that isn't available in cookie cutter form
• wax
• color
• scent
• a baking pan to make the forms in
• a bowl to hold warm water
• a bowl to hold cold water
• a small paintbrush
• . If you're using an original design or runic form it's best to draw and cut a template on fairly rigid cardboard like poster-board or even using a file-folder.
  
  Prepare some colored wax for your appliqué, the amount of wax you prepare will depend on how many candles you are decorating and how many designs you use per candle. Pour 1/16( to 1/8( layer in the bottom of the baking pan. Allow it to cool until solid, but still warm. Press the cookie cutter into the wax or position your template and cut around it with a sharp knife. Remove the excess wax from around the shapes and allow them to cool completely. Removing them before they harden may distort the pattern. When they are completely cool remove the shapes from the pan and place them in a bowl of warm tap water until soft. When soft, remove from water and gently burnish the sides with your finger, this is to smooth out cut marks. Then immediately press against the core candle. Once the appliqué has taken the curvature of the candle, place it in cold water immediately. Repeat for all the appliqué. To attach the appliqué to the candle, apply tacky wax to the back of the appliqué and gently press to the candle. Repeat until complete.
• Herbal appliqué 
  For this you'll need
• a "core" candle
• some hot wax
• a small flat paintbrush
• the herbs of your choice.
  Herbs and flowers used for this purpose need to be pressed and dried for a few days in a plant press or substitute, such a phone book. Arrange the pressed flowers and herbs on your work surface. Dab them with a bit of white glue or hot wax and immediately position them on the candle, pressing them onto the surface until the wax hardens or glue dries and they are held firmly in place. Coat the design with a thin layer of hot wax to hold the herbs in place permanently and to keep them from being scuffed and broken. There are various ways of doing this. The simplest way is to paint hot wax onto the candle's surface until the herbs are completely coated. To produce a smoother, flatter surface, you can dip the entire candle by its wick for a few seconds into melted wax up to its upper edge. Don't fill the wax container to the top because as you dip the candle it will displace its volume in wax and the level will rise; experiment to find out how much wax it takes and use a double boiler so that any overflow goes into the surrounding water.

There you have it, everything you may (or not) have ever wanted to know about candle making, so gather round a few of your friends, heat up some wax and enjoy the time honored craft of chandling.

Bibliography

Beeswax, History and Use. Roger A. Morse, Department of Entomology of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell
Elementary, My Dear Chandler, Harrowsmith Country Life Reader, 1990, Camden House Pub.
Light up your Life, The Herb Companion, Oct/Nov 1994.
Lumina, on-line articles
WaxedOut Candles, on-line articles

Disclaimer: No one involved in this blog or its contents may be held responsible for any adverse reactions arising from following any of the instructions/recipes on this list. It is the reader's personal responsibility to exercise all precautions and use his or her own discretion if following any instructions or advice from this blog.