Retrospective: In the Runemaker's Workshop

You will find people using ceramics, stones, crystals, cards and Frigg knows what else to make casting runes. But all the evidence is that the ancients used wood, and so did the Runemaker. He never cut living wood from a tree - that is not in the spirit of Anglo-Saxon tradition which respects nature and the environment.

When the wood had dried and seasoned, it was sliced and polished to a very smooth surface. It took about 30 inches of branch to make a full rune set plus a few spare blanks that were archived away in case of future loss or damage. This meant that every rune set was absolutely unique, bearing the characteristics of a single branch from a particular tree.

The rune glyph was branded with home made wooden-handled iron tools heated over a spirit lamp.

At craft fairs and demonstrations however, an electric pyrograph was used for safety reasons. Each piece was embodied with its runic value by an appropriate ritual as it was branded.

To preserve the color and texture of the runes, they were then given two or three coats of clear varnish or wax.

A gloss or satin finish is most attractive for the majority of woods, but there are some that look better with a matt surface.

The rune boxes were hand made from scrap timber and off-cuts from local businesses and lumber yards.

The lids were decorated by hand in contrasting varnishes and acrylic paints. Standard boxes illustrated here bore the Runemaker's personal bindrune of Raido-Wunjo-Othila. Individual designs were available to order.

 

The boxes were sectioned and fabric lined - again with recycled materials.

Each set was supplied with a matching rune casting bag, and a CD featuring one of the Runemaker's eBooks. The individual provenance of the rune set - the wood, where it was found, the date and serial number - was recorded on the inside of the lid.

So now you know a little more about making runes. You have seen that it is not simply cutting up bits of wood and selling them, but a unique blend of wood-craft, runic knowledge and craftsmanship.

I hope you enjoyed your short tour and invite you to browse around the rest of the website.