July Buck Moon and Antler Wand Craft

This article is part of Kallan's wonderful Sunday Stew. Please hop on over and read all the           different flavors added by each chef. I know that you will love it!

Hello everyone! It's time for the Full Moon Craft!

The full moon will fall on July 12th, 2014 and also this moon is special because it is the first of three Supermoons that are to occur this year! To read about supermoons, go here.

This month's full moon has 3 names that it is commonly known by. They are Buck Moon, Thunder Moon, and Hay Moon. I've decided to go with the Buck Moon because I have an antler lying on one of my altars and I thought it would be fun to make a wand using it.

It was called Buck Moon by some tribes and early settlers because this is the time of year that the deer antlers are grown out and full. Antlers are deciduous, meaning that they are shed every year. Deer grow their very first set around the age of 1. Antlers are also made of bone, being composed of calcium and phosphorus. The bucks shed last year's antlers usually around sometime from January to March, when their testosterone levels drop. When the days begin to lengthen in April and the testosterone levels starts to rise the deer then start re-growth of their antlers, which grow at a rate of around a 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch per day. While the antlers grow they are covered in velvet, a brown fur. This velvet, during growth, contains a network of blood vessels and nerve endings, that supply the antlers with the nourishment they need. The antlers are sensitive during this time. In July, the rack is nicely grown and full, with the velvet shedding. By September the antlers have hardened, and there is no velvet at all. This cycle repeats every year with the antlers growing bigger each year.

Antlers have been used for many things. Native Americans used them ceremoniously and for day-to-day living tools. Now, things we make them into can include dream catchers, chandeliers, jewelry, furniture, knife handles and of course, wands.

As I said, I've had this antler for a bit, and I thought I would do something with it. I bought nothing for this craft, these were all bits and things that I had lying around. I didn't get real elaborate with it, but I do hope that it inspires you to make your own.

I also had planned on putting 3 small blue jay feathers somewhere on it, but each time that I added them, they didn't feel right with the piece, so I decided to take them away.

Okay, start with a clean, dry antler

And I'm using Fimo Classic. It's a firmer clay and holds shapes well. I decided to go with black

I chose a larger quartz, it sets inside the perimeter of the antler end nicely. I then started putting the clay thinly around the end of the antler. I also covered around a quarter inch of the bottom of the crystal, holding it onto the antler.

Next, I chose a small peacock ore druzy. I made an indention with my thumb on the clay and mashed the ore piece onto it, pulling the clay up around the ore.

Now I've started putting the designs on it. I rolled a piece of clay and edged the ore piece. I also rolled another piece of clay and made a double spiral.

I made little balls of clay to put around the top of the clay. I also made a flattened spiral.

I added a few more smaller stones and flattened spirals. To make them a bit more decorative I poked holes into the spiral.

Now, I just continued adding spirals, and stones all the way around, adding in a larger piece of pyrite on the back.

 

I also decided to add decoration to fork of the antler. I found a nice raw opal. I added the balls of clay to match the end, continuing with spirals and double spirals, adding chunks of garnet and prehnite.

When you are finished adding in your details, preheat the oven to 230 degrees and leave for no longer than 30 minutes. 

I wanted to give the clay a nice colorful sheen, like the peacock ore, so I used Jacquard EX pigments. I just dry brushed them on. I used copper on the outer edges with a forest green in the mid section. Then I added just a touch of bold blue to the middle.

For the final touches of the wand, I found some brightly colored ribbon to criss cross between the two decorations. I hope this craft inspires you to make your own wand. If you do, please share pics, I'd love to see your creations!

Brightest Blessings,

Saga