The Runic alphabet is an ancient Germanic script used for divination, magic, poignant inscriptions and other miscellaneous writing. Its origins are steeped in mystery and legend. The individual letters carry great meaning, and have come to be used as a highly evolved oracle, by the use of runestones-objects on which the alphabet is engraved. There are varied techniques involving “casting”, and interpretation, “spreads,” and other methods, that when used together, create a powerful and sacred tool of divination.
Creating sets of runes is easy, inexpensive, and fun. Making your own runes for divinatory purposes imparts a sense of personalized intent and energy into the stones that greatly adds to the power of the oracle. Your handmade runestones make a thoughtful, personal and unique gift. Finally, selling sets of your handmade runestones can be quite lucrative. They are extremely visually appealing, unique, and curious. I have sold many handmade runestone sets over the years. People literally freak out over them. They have been so popular at some venues, that I ended up taking orders for them after they sold out. Once, I even sold all of the sets I brought before the bazaar even officially opened.
Below are directions to create your own runestone sets, and some notes and tips.
Items you will need
About 10 medium size rubber erasers
Linoleum carving tool with fine point
Scissors
1 small package of polymer clay (any color)
Black or dark craft paint
Metallic craft paint or polish
Small paintbrush
Paper towels or clean rag
Fancy, intricate, interesting commercial rubber stamp
Oven
Small box or bag
Good, clear rendering of the Elder Futhark runic alphabet for copying.
Fixative
Directions
Making the stamps
Using regular scissors, cut the erasers into 24 evenly sized (doesn’t have to be exact, but make them as close in size as possible) rectangular or square shaped portions. Make a few more for practice or incidental mistakes and set them aside. Using the linoleum cutter, trace a plain border (just a line) all round the outside of the rubber eraser. Now, referring to your Elder Futhark runic alphabet, carve the runic letter into the center of the border you have just drawn. Make the letter as large as possible without letting it touch the border. Continue this method until you have carved all of the 24 letters of the alphabet.
Fashioning the runes
Divide the block of polymer clay into 24 evenly sized pieces. The best method is to start ‘halving’ each piece of clay. Just cut the entire block in half, cut each of the halves in half, and so forth, until you have 24 pieces. Now, take one of the little chunks of clay, and form it roughly into a ball. Affix the clay-ball onto a beautiful, detailed area of your commercial rubber stamp. Now, take a runic alphabet stamp, and press it firmly into the clay ball. Press it so that it flattens a bit, and you have a coin shaped, dime-to nickel sized piece of clay. Carefully remove the runic stamp. Now, peel the clay off the commercial rubber stamp. Gently coax it from the stamp by prying it gently from the sides. It should come off fairly easily. You know have a rune stamped on both sides. Gently place it on a small baking tray. Continue this method until you have created all 24 runes. Bake according to the instructions on the clay.
Finishing the runes
Once the runestones have baked and cooled completely, it is time to put on the necessary finishing touches. Using a small paint brush, paint the entire rune black (or another very dark color) concentrating on the crevices and indentations. While the paint is still wet, use a paper towel or clean rag to wipe the paint off the surface of the rune. The black paint that is left in the crevices will create a proper look of depth and age. Continue this step with the black craft paint and wiping off, on all the runes. Clean your paintbrush and wipe dry. When the paint has fairly dried, use an extreme small amount of the metallic craft paint or polish to create highlights on the rune. Simply quickly swipe the surface area of the rune with the brush. The proper method is more akin to dusting than painting. When all paint has dried, apply a fixative spray to the runes. This is an important step. The runes are going to be handled, and if a fixative is not used, the paint will eventually rub off. The runes are now complete and ready to use. Choose a small, interesting container for the runes.
Tips and Notes
There are many venues for selling your runes. Local street fairs, bazaars, craft fairs, and even yard sales and via sites like Ebay and Craigslist. I have priced mine according to venue-as high as $18 a set at art bazaars, and as low as $5 at yard sales.
In the past I have included extensive literature with my runestone sets, but I have discontinued that practice. It may be wise however, to include a printed or handwritten small, folded note with website resources for learning the history and techniques for runes. There are many good, informative, all inclusive websites for learning all things runes. It’s my experience that many people will ask questions such as “how do you use these?” and “what are these for?” A simple answer such as “It’s used like an oracle,” or “it’s a fortune-telling game-there are some websites included that will give great directions on how to use the stones…” takes the pressure off having to fully explain the runes, and assures the buyer there are many resources.
If you are going to sell the runes, presentation is all-important. Tiny boxes with self-styled tags and labels are a good idea. Even little drawstring craft bags with tags and ribbon will work. The more it looks like a fanciful little present, the better.
A note about the erasers: Do not use traditional pink or gum erasers to make the stamps. The best kind of erasers to use are the type that are made for kids and usually come in packs of about 10 or so. The are usually brightly colored on a white background, and have a soft, flexible plastic feel rather than a traditional eraser. They are usually brightly colored and are adorned with images of race cars, firetrucks, ice cream cones and the like. Ignore the colors and think shape. The more basic and square the better, but any shape will do because they are easily cut with regular scissors.
Although I have instructed that 24 stamps should be cut from the erasers, another option is to carve a rune on each side of one eraser. If a brightly colored race car or similar design is distracting, simply color over it with a black sharpie and then carve.
If you decide to use black polymer clay, you can skip the ‘paint it black’ step. I have had better results with lighter color clays, and using this painting method exactly as described. You may also decide to forego the metallic paint step, but I have found that it is the absolut perfect finishing touch. The resultant runes look like little unfathomably ancient coins.
A note of caution: Never use anything, on which you have baked polymer clay items, for cooking. Set aside anything used for polymer clay for that purpose only.
Reference:
- sunnyway.com/runes/index.html (contains all manner of rune information and has a great Elder Futhark alphabet.)
