Ok then! Are you ready to get crafty? Here are some things around the house that I've put together to help make my house more magical!

Blow Bubbles

Beltane is the perfect time to blow bubbles! Here's two recipes so you don't have to worry about buying it!

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Fairy Furniture

May is a month that fairies love. Show them your appreciation by making them some furniture!

Items needed:

• twigs, vines, dried flowers
• needle and thread
• scrap material
• scissors
• hot glue gun
• pruners to cut the twigs

Directions:

1. Decide what you're going to make. We'll make a chair, to give you an example.
2. Cut the twigs in this manner - one long, bendable piece that will form the back legs and back of the chair, and four equal lengthed twigs which will form the two front legs and the seat.The chair should stand no more than four inches tall (including the back)
3. 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.
4. Hot glue on each side of the bent twig facing towards you a smaller twig; these will be the sides of the seat.
5. Glue the front piece of the seat to these side twigs.
6. Glue the two front legs to the seat so that the chair legs are even.
7. If you wish,wrap the vines around the chair back and legs.
8. 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.
9. Using your needle and thread, attach the material to the chair using a whip stitch.
10. 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!You can make little tea cups too from dried flower cups!

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Clay Torq

   Items needed:

• one and a half blocks of light brown/beige fimo

• bronzing powder (found next to the fimo)

• small seed glass beads

• measuring tape

• varnish

1) Measure your neck and subtract one inch.

2) Divide the one block into thirds; work a piece in your hands until they are pliable, and roll into a long thin rope like you learned how to do in kindergarten with playdoh until it is the desired length. Do this with the other two pieces.Form it into a circular shape and lay on a cookie sheet.

3) Lay the three fimo ropes side by side, and roll them together so that they form a large rope.

4) Divide the other block of fimo into half; divide this piece into thirds. With two of the pieces, roll into a ball shape and attach it to the ends of the torque. Divide the remaining piece into fourth, work the clay and roll into thin ropes. Lay two of these small ropes vertically where the balls and large rope join and wrap it around to the back, pressing it in. Do this on the other side too.

5) Gently fit the small glass beads inbetween the spaces of the small ropes that you just joined; these are the "jewels" of the torque.

6) Rub the torque with the bronzing powder - carefull, a little goes a long way!

7) Bake according to the directions on the fimo blocks, but take it out 5 to 10 minutes before it's due to come out. It will be hard and firm, yet still flexible enough to bend making it easier to put on.

8) Apply an varnish coat to the torque and let dry.

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Grassy Basket

Don't buy that fake grass for your basket! Ick! Make this instead - it's easy and fun!

Items needed:

• a basket
• winter rye seed
• aluminum foil
• plastic wrap
• potting soil
• dried flowers (optional)

Directions:

1. Two weeks before you need the basket, line the basket with the aluminum foil
2. Fill with potting soil
3. Sprinkle the top with the rye seed, cover with 1/4 inch of soil, and moisten.
4. Cover the basket with the plastic wrap to help keep it moist; place in a warm area (on top of the refrigerator is good, if you don't forget to check it!
5. After the rye grass has sprouted, remove the plastic wrap and keep a close eye on it. Water if begins to dry.
6. After a few weeks, you'll have a basket full of grass! Weave dried flowers around the edge if you like, and place your eggs inside.

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Salt Dough Bunnies

I use this dough to make a passal of bunnies to put around the house for Oestre. Of course, you can use this dough for just about anything, eggs,chicks, even make your own Willendorf Goddess statue <G>

Items needed:

• 3/4 cup salt
• 3/4 cup non-self-rising flour
• 2 tsp powdered alum (look in the drugstore or grocery)
• 3/4 cup water
• 2 tblsp vegetable oil
• food colouring

Directions:

1. Mix salt, 1/2 cup flour, and alum in a saucepan.
2. Add water slowly, stirring to break up lumps.
3. place over low heat and cook, stirring constantly, until mixture is rubbery and difficult to stir. It should not be sticky when touched.
4. Add vegetable oil. Stir until blended.
5. Turn out onto a plate or aluminum foil. Set aside until cool enough to handle.
6. If more than one color is desired, divide mixture into portions and to each portion add a different color. Knead until color is blended.
7. Add up to 1/4 cup flour if clay is sticky.
8. Makes 1 1/2 cups

How to Use: Model as with any clay. Press clay into molds or use it to make beads (pierce holes in beads before clay dries) This clay hardens in 1 or 2 days; do not bake. Store in an airtight container.

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Brighid's Cross

Items needed:

• a handfull of wheat stalks
• warm water
• clothespins
• clear or red thread and needle
• perserverance

Directions:

1. Soak wheat stalks in warm water until pliable
2. Fold one stalk of wheat in half, leaving the kernels sticking out
3. Fold another one the same way, and thread through the first one. It now looks like a long "L"
4. Fold the third the same way, and insert through the second wheat stalk. It now looks like an L with a tail
5. Fold and insert the fourth stalk through the third
6. Use the clothes pins to help keep the shape as you weave more wheat
7. Continue folding and threading the wheat stalks until you have several wheat woven through each "arm"
8. Allow to dry with the clothespins in place
9. Using the thread and needle, sew the stalks together - this is cheating, but I find that it's necessary!
10. Hang over the fireplace or stove

Engraved Oil Lamp

Items needed:

• electric engraver
• safety glasses
• wine bottle
• oil lamp adapter
• gold paste
• fast food napkins

Directions:

1. Determine the design you wish to engrave; practice using the engraver on spare bottles. Be sure to wear your saftey glasses!
2. Freehand engrave the design onto the bottle - don't worry if it's not perfect - it's not supposed to be - and the imperfections give it character!
3. wash the bottle, rinsing off the dust
4. using the gold paste and the napkin, rub the paste into the engraving, removing any excess with the napkin or by scraping off with a utility knife
5. Fill with oil lamp fuel and insert adapter

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Kissing Ball

Items needed:

• red velvet ribbon, 1/2 inch and 1 inch
• 6 or 8 inch embrodery hoop
• mistletoe
• florist wire
• hot glue

Directions:

1. separate the two pieces of the embrodery hoops and fit them together, one inside the other, at a 90 degree angle. Secure in this position with florist wire or hot glue
2. Secure a piece of the 1/2 ribbon to the bottom of the hoop. Wind the ribbon around the edges of the hoop, wrapping each "arm" in a spiral motion until the wood is covered completely.Secure with hot glue.
3. Form two bows with the 1 inch ribbons, leaving the ends dangling. Secure one to the bottom of the joined hoops, the other to the top.
4. Gather the mistletoe into a ball, secure the ends with florist wire.Insert inside the globe and twist the florirst wire to the top of the ball.
5. Hang the ball somewhere you are sure to get kissed!

Crystal Pillows

Items needed:

• pieces of velvet
• small beans
• sewing machine or needle and thread

Directions:

1. For a round crystal pillow, cut two pieces of velvet 5 -6 inches in diameter. Use a plate as a template if you need one. Right sides together, sew the pieces together using a 1/2 inch seam allowance and leaving an opening to pour in the beans.Turn pillow right side out. Stuff the pillow 2/3 full with the beans, whipstitch the opening closed.
2. For a square pillow, cut two pieces of velvet 5 inches square
3. Right sides together, sew along the edges using 1/2 inch seam allowance, and leaving 1 inch open to turn
4. Turn right side out, stuff 2/3 full with beans, and whipstitch the opening closed.

Driftwood Santas

Items needed:

• pieces of driftwood that approximate the shape of santa - can be carrying a bag, tree, etc
• acrylic paint
• acrylic sealer
• paintbrushes

Directions:

1. Using your mind's eye, determine where Santa's head, body, etc are
2. Paint using the acrylic paints, working with the curves of the wood to determine what is what
3. Seal with sealer after paint has dried

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Runes

Items needed:

• Glass gems or pebbles that are used in floral arrangements. Wal-Mart has them in the florist section.
• electric engraver
• safety glasses
• material
• ribbon
• sewing machine or needle and thread

Directions:

1. Practice your engraving on old drink bottles if you are not used to using one. Use the bottles later for the Bottle Tree! Make SURE you ALWAYS wear your safety glasses when engraving with glass!
2. Once you have become proficient at engraving, engrave the individual runes onto each pebble.
3. Fold the material in half and sew up the edges. Fold the top edge over approx. 1/2 inch  and sew, fold again and sew again.
4. Place the runes in the bag and secure bag with ribbon.

To see which runes to use and how to cast them, try RUNES.

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Cauldron Candles

Items needed:

• wax (left-over candles will work fine)
• candle wicking (wicking from broken candles work fine, too)
• bucket
• sand
• coffee can and pan
• pencils or chop sticks
• small cauldron (optional)

Directions:

1. Put the sand in the bucket and wet with water until it holds its shape when pressed.
2. If you have a small cauldron, press it into the wet sand.
3. If you DON'T have a small cauldron, use your fist to make the impression. With a pencil (eraser end) make three indentations at the bottom of the impression - these will be the cauldron legs.
4. Insert the candle wick into the bottom of the impression. Lay the chop stick over the top of the impression and set the wick against it so it will help support the wick once you pour the wax
5. Put the wax into the coffee can and set the coffee can in a pot of boiling water until the wax melts. DON'T EVER LEAVE THE STOVE. Wax can catch fire!
6. Wearing oven mitts, pour the wax into the impression in the sand.
7. Allow to cool throughly. When cool, scoop the candle out with your hand.

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Pendulum

Items needed:

• an oblong bead
• a pendant
• approx. 9" chain (a broken necklace will work great)
• needlenose pliers
• one pin head wire (found in bead stores)
• clippers (I use toenail clippers!)
• two small beads

Instructions:

1. Thread the beads onto the pin head wire in this order: small bead, oblong bead, small bead.
2. With the clippers, clip off remaining wire, leaving approx. 3/4" remaining.
3. Using the needlenose pliers, bend the wire holding the beads into a ring and clamp.
4. Open a link on one end of your chain, and thread through the loop you just made.Clamp shut using the pliers.
5. Open the link on the opposite end of your chain,loop through the pendant. Clamp shut.

To use the Pendulum, hold the pendant in your hand loosely,elbow on the table, letting the pendulum swing free. Still the movements of the pendulum with your other hand. Ask the pendulum to show you "yes" - the pendulum should start to move in a pattern, usually in a circle or back or forth. If you can't really tell, ask the pendulum to be more precise. Once a pattern is established, this is the Pendulum's "yes." Now, ask the pendulum to show you "no." Keep your pendulum in a safe place, and it will treat you well!

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Fall Leaf "Stained Glass"

Items needed:

• fall leaves
• wax paper
• iron
• towel
• picture frame

Directions:

1. Collect as many different colored and size fall leaves as possible!
2. Cut two pieces of wax paper slightly larger than your picture frame.
3. Lay one piece of the wax paper on the towel, and arrainge the leaves in a pleasing design.
4. Lay the other  piece of wax paper over the leaves, and lay another press the two together using a hot iron and moving quickly but firmly
5. Tape the "stained glass" to the picture frame and cut off the excess
6. Hang in a window for best results.

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Beaded Torq

Items needed:

• beads
• two end pieces
• silver tail wire
• memory wire
• bead wire wrap

Directions:

1. Measure your neck to see how long to cut the wires.
2. Measure the width of your end pieces.
3. Cut the memory wire so that you will have one inch in between the two end pieces.
4. Attach the memory wire to the first end piece and thread through separator bar.
5. Attach two silver tails to the end piece and thread through the separator bar.
6. Bead the memory wire and secure to second end piece using a separator bar there as well.
7. Bead each of the silver tails and twist around the memory wire as you do so. Threadthrough the separator bar and secure to the other end.

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Offering Dish

Items needed:

• Sculpty or Fimo (found at most craft stores or Wal-Mart)
• leaf of desired shape and size
• oven proof bowl approximately the size of the leaf
• knife
• acrylic pain (optional)
• acrylic sealer (if you're going to paint it)

Directions:

1. On a cookie sheet or tin foil, oll out the Sculpty or Fimo with a rolling pin or flatten with your hand until it is approximately 1/4 - 1/2 inch thick.Smooth.
2. Press leaf on top of fimo so that impression is made.
3. Trim off the excess fimo from around the leaf.
4. Remove the leaf.
5. Carefully remove the fimo leaf from the cookie sheet and place in the bowl so that the edges curve upwards.
6. Bake in the oven according to the direction on the package - usually 200 or 250 degree oven for 20 - 25 minutes. Allow to cool.
7. Paint and seal with acrylic, if desired.

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Celtic Knot Mousepad

Items needed:

• mousepad
• acrylic paint
• stencil brush or a stiff brush
• acrylic sealer
• stiff plastic to make a stencil (the plastic that bacon lays on works great)
• tape
• exacto knife
• celtic design to trace (try Celtic Art)

Directions:

1. Paint the mousepad to a solid color if needed; allow to dry
2. Trace the celtic design onto the stiff plastic
3. Cut out the stencil with the exacto knife
4. Place the stencil in the desired location over the mousepad
5. Tape the stencil in place
6. Using up and down stabbing motions, stencil the design. Allow to dry
7. Spray or paint the acrylic sealer over the design. Allow to dry before use.

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The White Goddess

Items needed:

• newspaper                                        
• unbleached muslin (1 yard)
• sisal rope
• white glue
• florist wire
• small egg-shaped styrofoam ball
• trim

1. Fold one section of newspaper in half and roll it lengthwise.
2. Fold the roll in half, and twist a twist tie at the upper third of the folded roll to form the body and legs.It may be helpfull to stuff the legs into a large bottle while you work.
3. Cut off a 20 inch section of florist wire and twist the ends together. Twist the ends into a loop approximately 1 inch long, and bend the wires close together.This will be the arms and hands
4. Stick two pieces of florist wire approximately 6 inches long into the wide end of the styrofoam ball and fold them around the ball, twisting them together to hold it securely.With the remaining wire, secure the ball to the loop of the newspaper - this will be the head.
5. Thread the arms through the paper of the loop, not the loop itself, to help it remain secure.
6. Mix the glue with an equal part of water to form a solution that the material will be dipped in and used to hold the fabric to the doll and stiffen the fabric to desired shape.
7. From the muslin, rip several 1/4- 1/2 inch strips of fabric, run them through the glue solution. The material should be saturated, but not dripping.Wrap the hands and arms wire with the material, covering the wire completely. It may take several applications of material.Tuck the ends into the material already wrapped.
8. Repeating the same dipping process, cover the head first with horizontal wraps and then with vertical. Wrap the body of the doll crossing over from the front to the back in an "X" shape.Wrap the neck wire and secure the ends of the strips
9. For the skirt: Rip a 12 inch by 20 inch piece of material,sew the 12 inch ends together if desired, and dip the material into the solution.Pull up over the legs, gather the waist and secure to the paper using a 1/2 strip acting as a belt.
10. Make the apron - rip a 2 inch wide strip that is wide enough to fit over the top of the skirt, and cut the front bottom edge into a curve if desired. Secure the apron with a piece of trim.
11. Rip a 1 inch piece of material approximately 8 inches long, dip, and drap around the neck.
12. Rip a 3 inch wide piece of material approximately 16 inches long and drape around back and over arms.
13. Arrange the skirt into desired folds and allow doll to dry.
14. After the doll has dried,cut the rope into 12 12 inch sections and fold in half - this will be the part of the hair. Sew the ropes at the fold down the center of the head.Unravel the rope.
15. You can garnish the White Goddess with a wreath of dried flowers if you like - take a vine and wrap it on itself until you have a wreath. Insert dried flowers into the wreath and place on the head.
16. She can be left in the bottle for year-round use, or placed on top of the tree at Yule.

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Bath bombs

Thanks to Bronwn for this recipe!

• 10 T baking soda

• 5 T powdered sugar (or cornstarch)

• 5 T citric acid

• 5 droppers full of fragrance or essential oil

• 2 T almond oil (too much or too little causes problems!)

Mix dry ingredients together. Gradually drizzle oils in. Spoon into molds (ice cube trays are good, but get creative!) Press very, very hard. Let dry several hours. cure 2 weeks before using.

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Fizzing Bath Balls

• 1/4 C baking soda

• 2 T citric acid

• 1 T borax

• 2 T powdered sugar

• 2 T almond oil

• 1 T vitamin E oil

• 1/4 T fragrance

Combine dry ingredients in bowl and stir til blended. Drizzle in oil and stir until moist. Add Vit E and stir 'til mixed. Take teaspoon sized mixture & form balls. Will be crumbly. Place on waxed paper and leave 2 -3 hours. Let air dry 10 days and then store in air tight container. Make sure they are drying in a humidity free environment. When the author of this recipe took the balls out of her ice cube tray, they expanded a bit from the humidity in the air. If you have a dehydrator, that would be a good place for drying.

There is no end to the shapes you can make with these and they look beautiful in a pretty jar with raffia or ribbon at the top. Just use your imagination!

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Here's a wonderful recipe for "Beauty Incense" generously shared by Mavjb:

Beauty Incense

• 1 pt sandalwood

• 2 pt patchouli

• 1 pt sandalwood

• 1 pt orange chips

• 1 vanilla bean stalk broken or ground

• 40 drops vanilla oil

• 5 drops sandalwood oil

• 23 drops neroli oil

Mix together, place in an airtight container and allow the incense to mellow, generally from 3 to 6 weeks. Burn a small amount on a piece of incense charcoal.

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Kitchen Witch

Items needed:

• metal gingerbread man cookie cutter
• spanish moss
• black felt or bought felt witch's hat
• orange material for skirt
• thin orange ribbon
• black material
• glue
• trim

Directions:

1. Fold black material in half, cut a slit and slide over head.
2. With thread, sew a running stitch through the top of one edge of the orange material and gather around the waist. Stitch in place.
3. Glue orange ribbon over the stitches. Cut pieces of ribbon long enough to be suspenders and glue in place.
4. Glue spanish moss to top of cookie cutter.
5. Glue witch's hat to spanish moss. Or, if using black felt, cut a circle the diameter you wish the hat to be. Cut a wide triangle of felt, wrap to form a cone, and glue to circle. Glue to spanish moss
6. Glue desired trim in place

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Love Knot

Items needed:

• two pieces of twisted rope approx. 3 feet long
• 6 inches of twine
• hot glue and hot glue gun
• small piece of twist paper
• small dried flower sprig

Directions:

1. Hold the two pieces of rope , ends equal.
2. Fold in half and lay on table with the loop at the top.
3. Loop the right ropes to the right, left ropes to the left, and bring the ropes together in the center, the ends of the rope falling to the bottom.
4. Secure ropes in this position with hot glue.
5. Thread the twine from the back of the love knot through the wide loops and tie in the center.
6. Unravel a 8 inch section of twist paper. Fold the ends to meet in the center, and press flat. Gather the center.
7. Tie the ends of the twine over the center of the bow. Hot glue in place.
8. Insert flower sprig at the top and hot glue in place.

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Acid Etched Chalice

Items needed:

• wide rimmed, relatively straight wine glass
• clear contact paper
• exacto knife
• acid etching paste (such as Armour All)
• wire brush or a disposable brush
• gold paste (optional)
• napkins (optional)

Directions:

1. Decide which pattern you wish to use - a narrow band works best.
2. Measure the width of the glass where you wish to put the design. Try to avoid steep curves - the flattest part of the glass won't bubble the contact paper as much, which can cause distortion of the design.
3. Adjust the width of the design to meet your measurements.
4. Trace the design onto the contact paper.
5. Peel off the back and apply to the glass, smoothing out the bubbles.
6. With the exacto knife, cut out your design and remove pieces you wished etched.
7. Apply the acid etching paste to the exposed areas with the brush, avoiding other parts of the glass. Remember, whatever the paste will touch, will be etched!
8. Leave the pasteon for the amount of time specified on the bottle, then wash off.
9. If you wish to apply gold to the design, take the napkin (the cheap, fast-food restaurant napkins work best) and rub it on the paste. In circular motions, apply the paste to the design. Scrape off any excess with the exacto knife.
10. Optional: If you wish to apply a stained glass jewel, you can do so by using "Goop" adhesive.
11. Wash the glass!

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Candle Plates

Candle Plates are big selling items these days, but they're pretty easy to make on your own. You can make them as plain or as creative as you like with pebbles, glass beads, broken dishes, or whatever suits your fancy. For this project we'll be using leaves, twigs and acorns, but you could just as easily use glass beads in a pentacle design.

Items needed:

• plaster of paris
• disposable plastic bowl
• bottom of a milk carton or cardboard container the shape you want, at least 1 inch deep for the mold
• newspaper
• wooden spoon
• items to decorate
• ceramic paint and acrylic (optional)

Directions:

1. Line the table with many layers of newspaper. This is a messy project, and oh so fun!
2. Gather all the items you wish to put on your candle plate and play with the design, figuring out what you want to go where. Plaster sets up pretty fast, and you'll have to move quickly. For this project, we'll be lining the edges of the plate with the twigs, laying the leaves in the center, and placing the acorns randomly in the corners and edges. You want the center to remain level because this is where you'll place the candle.
3. Mix the plaster according to the directions on the box, and pour into the mold, at least a 1/2 deep.
4. Place the items into the plaster, being sure to leave the center free for the candle.
5. Once the plaster dries, peel the carton away and brush off any loose particles. Paint and seal with acrylic if desired.

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