Fairy Chair

The chair itself, was found in a thrift shop.  When I saw it and two other chairs, with stuffed animals and dolls...I knew it's purpose!  This was the toy chair to be transformed into a Fairy chair!

Then suddenly the vision of what this wooden toy chair was to transform into popped into my head!  I then began to search for the materials: moss, Raffia, feathers. When I began that hunt for the materials, other things stood out as necessary to complete this project.
 
The concept was to use this chair as an altar piece.  A place of "honor" for the fairy-folk to sit during a pagan ritual.  You can purchase this chair now at my Etsy Shop: BellBookNCandle

Making your own BoS as an "altered book"

To make your own blank book you need to have papers that you have picked to use for the inside of your book.  You also will need binding tools to put your own book together.  Special threads are used that are waxed, so they do not break easily.  You will need something for the covers, board paper.  If you chose this method get a good book on book binding.  Better yet, take a course or workshop!  Meanwhile, you can collect ideas and organize using a 3-ring binder and paper.

The altered book is much easier.  You will already have your “papers” and the binding is intact.  To begin, choose a hard covered book.  Make sure the papers inside are not light-weight and can absorb paints and other materials. Test the corner of a page, if in doubt.  Dictionaries work well, as do encyclopedias.  Use a book that is really outdated.  I consider the doing of an altered book as being like recycling!  In fact, it is in the recycling bin that I dive into for the bound books…yes, I do get permission.

"Gothic" Altered Book / of Shadows

"Gaia" Altered Book / of Shadows

Now you have chosen the book, these are the materials you should consider:  paints (or inks), colored pencils, an X-acto knife, a cutting mat (you can get a variety of sizes), a variety of glues or pastes such as “Yes!” glue, scissors, brushes (set aside one for glue), hole punches, stamps and ink for stamps, and any kind of collage item you are drawn to from the store (within budgetary limits).  Finally, two sprayer bottles, one for diluted paint and the other to use for effects.

I use the local free newspaper to protect the table-top while I work.  In doing altered books for your Book of Shadows, you can scent your paints or add herbal teas (as the dilutant).  The idea is you can "empower" your book, as you create it.

The planning of its structure still remains.  I go through and do half the book.  Any cutting for windows or doors is done after the paint is applied and dried.  This is when the embellishments that correlate to the sections of the book (I am planning to make) are applied. 

I use waxed paper between pages to make sure the paint is applied only where I want it to be placed.  The waxed paper can be re-used many times if allowed to dry between.  I will then use a blow-dryer on low, use a back and forth motion to quick-dry the paint on the pages (you will usually do two at a time).

This is An excerpt taken from the course: The Keys to Magic 101. The course is in two parts.  Part I and Part II are offered through BellBookNCandle's Shop

 *The altered book pages shown above, are found inside altered books / of Shadows at my online Etsy Shop, the link is above.