Posts by altmagic
The Evolution of Spell Cards
My early spell cards were plain. Quick brush strokes on manila paper. I included them as free presents along with orders of magic scrolls. While the artistry was simple, the enchantments were strong. It felt good to give them away. These were all for protection. I loved making them. They just feel right in the hand. [...]
Where are the Missing Gods?
Not many things surprise me, when it comes to Celtic gods. But Gordon over at Rune Soup penned something that made me fall back in my seat and think: Quick. Name a high-profile Celtic rain god. (Not thunder, not water, rain.) We tend to form gods around desirous, unpredictable outcomes like military victory, agricultural yield or [...]
How To Make Spell Cards
It feels good, putting so much power in such a little item. Cards are special. It’s no coincidence that tarot became the predominant system of Western fortunetelling (or that Pokémon took off). I only make something if it can be high quality. The original plan was to get some card stock and cut it to shape. [...]
The Escape Spell
Have you ever just wanted a way out? This is a spell I always knew I would make. I have a feeling there’s s someone out there who’s just waiting for it… maybe a woman in an unhappy relationship. Maybe someone trapped in a dead end career. They’d like to jump to a better situation, [...]
Put a Magic Spell In Your Pocket
What if magic protected you wherever you went? What if you had enchantments you could give to anyone, or keep all for yourself? Magic works best when it’s tangible. Something textured you can hold in your hand, and know: this is sorcery. As I travel I make enchanted spell cards. Each card is a unique, [...]
Magic Spell Scrolls and the $101 Sale
I took my magic scrolls off the market. It was when I started to travel. I can’t carry them with me [and have no assistant back at the atelier], so the logistics would have been too much. There were some disappointed folks, but I promised that whenever I got back I’d have a sale to [...]
altmagic rebooted: spell cards, how-to, and telling it like it be
There hasn’t been much activity here since July 1, and that’s no coincidence. July 4 I started extensive travels that will continue for the next two years or more. I’ve been busy. But frankly, that’s not the only reason the atelier was quiet. I knew I wanted to take altmagic in a new direction, but [...]
A Wizard’s Review of Dr. Dee – The Opera
I didn’t know that the life of Dr. Dee was made into an opera, but it sure has. And it sounds like one hell of a show. Gordon White, the chaos mage over at Rune Soup, gives a very enlightening review: A wizard is someone for whom the act of temporarily inhabiting a meatsuit is [...]
Burn Sale
This update is overdue, but there are big changes afoot at altmagic—including all new kinds of artwork on the way. Right now I’m announcing a Burn Sale for the existing scrolls. My life is about to change significantly, as I will be traveling nonstop for the next few years. My goal is to meet the [...]
Sacred Land Scroll Unveiled
I finally got a chance to use the distressed paper that I recently added to my collection. A client requested a custom scroll. She and her husband are seeking a piece of land that will be just right for them. They want it to be a place they can spend time with their family, connect to [...]