If you are a true Ouija board enthusiast, creating your own homemade Ouija board can be a fun and rewarding experience. Whether you’re making it for yourself or as a thoughtful gift for friends and family, we encourage you to give it a try. Join us for a quick read to get professional insight on how to create your homemade Ouija board from scratch in a few simple steps.
Let’s Gather Our Materials First:
To create a quality, good-looking, and fully functioning spirit board, you’re going to need the following material:
Base Board:
- Wooden Board: Select a piece of wood, such as pine, plywood, or even a craft store pre-cut wooden plaque. Aim for a size of approximately 18 x 12 inches, but don’t hesitate to modify the Weegee board to suit your taste. Make sure there are no large knots or other flaws in the wood that could get in the way of your painting or sketching.
- Cardboard or Foam Board: For a less permanent or lighter solution, consider foam board or thick, durable cardboard. Make sure the thickness is at least 1/4 inch to prevent sagging and bending.
- Sandpaper: Get both fine (220 grit) and medium (150 grit) sandpaper for the wood. While the finer type of grit smooths the surface and gets it ready for painting or drawing, medium grit helps get rid of any sharp edges or splinters.
Lettering and Design:
- Acrylic Paints or Markers: While permanent markers, particularly paint pens, can provide further precision for the finer details and letters, high-quality acrylic paints are the best option for longevity and vivid colors.
- Brushes: Keep a range of brushes handy, such as broad brushes for bigger sections and backgrounds, medium-sized brushes for lettering the Ouija board, and fine-tipped brushes for precise work.
- Paint Pens: These can be simpler to control than standard brushes and are perfect for adding fine details to your Ouija boards. Select hues that will contrast sharply with the background of your board.
- Stencils: Using pre-made stencils helps make letters and numerals more consistent. To make sure the stencils are the correct size, look for ones made especially for lettering or handmade items.
- Pencil and Eraser: Before using paint or markers to commit your idea to the board, use these to lightly sketch it. Errors can be fixed with a decent eraser without causing surface damage.
- Ruler: A ruler may help you make sure your spacing and lines are straight, which is essential for a polished appearance.
Planchette:
- Material: Choose a material that is both sturdy and easy to deal with. A tiny piece of thick cardboard, plastic, or wood that is between three and five inches in size would be just perfect.
- Felt Pads or Casters: These will facilitate the planchette’s easy passage across the Weegee board. For a smoother glide, you can use small casters or glue felt pads to the bottom.
- Drill: You will need to use a drill or craft knife to make a neat, tiny hole in the very middle of the planchette if you wish to add a viewing window.
Finishing Touches:
- Clear Varnish or Sealant: To preserve your paint job and make sure your homemade Ouija board lasts longer, use a clear varnish or sealer. You can choose a matte, glossy, or non-yellowing finish, depending on what you like.
- Decorative Elements: You can customize your board by adding optional components like inlays, stickers, or rhinestones. Select components that won’t get in the way of the planchette’s motion.
Crafting Your DIY Ouija Boards:
Follow these simple steps to create your own DIY board at home. Try to be as precise as you can.
Prepare the Base Board:
- Sand the Wood: Begin by smoothing out the surface of the wooden board using the medium-grit sandpaper, then, use the fine-grit sandpaper for a finer polish. Finally, sand the edges to get rid of any rough patches.
- Clean The Board: After sanding, use a moist towel to wipe the board clean of any dust or debris.
Design The Layout:
- Sketch The Layout: Using a pencil, first lightly sketch the desired arrangement on your Weegee board.
- Letters: Leaving an even space big enough for the planchette, draw two curving rows of the letters of the alphabet.
- Numbers: Next, arrange the digits 0 through 9 either in a straight line at the base or in a curving line above the letters.
- Words: Lastly, position “Goodbye” in the bottom center and “Yes” and “No” at the top corners of the board.
- Personalization: For individualized ornamentation, think about putting stars, moons, or other ethereal symbols around the edges.
Paint or Draw the Letters and Numbers:
- Outline First: If you are using paint, you might want to use fine-tip brushes or markers to outline the letters and numbers on the Ouija board before coloring them in.
- Fill in The Alphabet: Go over your pencil drawings carefully with acrylic colors or paint pens. Take all the time you need to be sure you’re precise enough.
- Add Color: Have fun with your color selections, but make sure they stand out against the background sufficiently to make them readable. Before applying the colors to the Weegee board, you better test them out on a piece of paper or wood first.
- Let it Dry: Before moving on to the following stage, let all of the paint dry thoroughly. This may take a few hours, depending on how thick the paint is.
Add Decorative Elements:
- Enhance the Board: Include any extra patterns or embellishments you had in mind, such as decorative borders, mystical symbols, or sentimental elements like initials.
- Let it Dry: Make sure that all the additional paint is completely dry before moving on to the next step.
Seal the Board:
- Apply Varnish: To keep your Ouija board safe, use a clear sealer or varnish. Apply it according to the directions on the product, using thin, uniform coatings.
- Dry and Cure: Between applications, give the varnish time to completely dry. Depending on the product, this could require several hours or even overnight.
- Multiple Coats: Apply several layers for increased durability, making sure to let each one dry completely before applying the next.
Making the Ouija Board Planchette:
Now that our board is ready, let’s move on to craft the perfect matching planchette, with a few simple steps:
Cut and Shape the Planchette:
- Choose the Material: Choose a sturdy and easy-to-shape material. While plastic and thick cardboard are easier to work with, wood is more conventional and robust. Go for a size between three and five inches.
- Shape the Planchette: Sketch a triangle or a heart on the material. The planchette needs to be both manageable in terms of size and able to glide effortlessly around the board.
- Cut the Shape: Use scissors to cut out the shape from cardboard, a craft knife for plastic, or a saw for wood. To guarantee smoothness and get rid of any rough patches, sand the edges as a final step.
Add a Viewing Window (Optional):
- Mark the Center: Make a tiny circle in the planchette’s center. This opening will function as a viewing window to improve the clarity of the letters and digits.
- Drill the Hole: Give the circle a careful drill or cut. To preserve the integrity of the planchette, make sure the hole is smooth and not overly large.
Add Gliders:
- Attach Felt Pads: To make the planchette slide around the board more easily, place little felt pads on each of its bottom corners. make sure they are evenly placed to maintain good balance.
- Use Small Casters: Alternatively, for even smoother mobility, mount tiny casters on the bottom. Make sure they are firmly affixed and do not scuff the board’s finish.
Decorate the Planchette:
- Paint or Decorate: Paint the planchette in a color scheme that complements your Ouija board. To make it look better, you can also add emblems or ornamental features. However, make sure the decorations don’t get in the way of how it moves.
- Seal the Planchette: If the design is painted, seal it with a clear varnish or sealer. Proceed in the same manner as with the board, using several coats to ensure longevity.
- Dry Thoroughly: Before using, wait enough time to let everything dry to avoid any damage or smudging.
Explore Premium Ouija Boards with Phenix Creation:
Founded by a master craftsman with decades of experience, Phenix Creation is committed to making the best Ouija boards for spiritual discovery out of the best wood available. The founder personally supervises the creation process, applying his skill in craftsmanship to make sure every board lives up to the brand’s high standards.
Our products are made to last because they are made entirely of high-quality timber materials. This guarantees that you will receive the superior Ouija boards needed to communicate with spirits and have a fulfilling and pleasant experience. Each board is expertly crafted and meticulously detailed, demonstrating our dedication to giving our clients a tool that is both a work of art and a means of facilitating connection with the spiritual realm.
FAQ:
Can I customize my Ouija board with personal designs and symbols?
A lot of people decide to personalize their board by adding mystical symbols, colors they love, or other special touches. To ensure effective use, only make sure the major components—letters, numbers, “Yes,” “No,” and “Goodbye”—remain clear and readable.
What materials are best for making a durable Ouija board?
Wood, such as plywood or pine, is the most durable material to use when creating a Ouija board. Wood is durable, and strong, and offers a smooth surface for sealing and painting. Though it might not be as strong as wood, thick foam board might also function well if you’d rather go lighter. However, avoid thin cardboard since it is prone to warping and bending.
How should I store my Ouija board to ensure it lasts a long time?
Store your Ouija board away from humidity and direct sunlight in a cool, dry environment to extend its lifespan. To avoid dust and damage, think about storing it in a cloth bag or protective case. Moreover, try not to put anything heavy on top of a wooden board if you have one to stop it from warping.
Is it necessary to seal the Ouija board after painting, and what type of sealant should I use?
Indeed, sealing the Ouija board after painting is advised to preserve the artwork and guarantee longevity. Apply a clear, non-yellowing sealer or varnish, like acrylic spray sealer or polyurethane. Use multiple light coats, letting each one dry fully before applying the next. This will give the paint a smooth, long-lasting sheen while shielding it from damage.
Finally:
Crafting your own homemade Ouija board is a very simple and fun experience that we absolutely recommend you try at least once! Make sure to follow the steps precisely to ensure optimal quality. Don’t forget to share your experience with us, good luck!