How to make a Hocus Pocus/ Practical Magic/ Grimmerie/ Evil Dead/ Evil Eye/ whatever you want to call it, magic spell book

My sisses came to see me last week and we were able to squeeze in a craft day between all of our runnings around.  One trip out was to the Victorian Trading Co. outlet store in KC, and Bobbie saw something there that she had wanted to order, but was glad she did because it wasn't as cool in person.


It was an evil eye, magic spell book.  Kind of like the Hocus Pocus book.  I decided we could make our own and use better materials instead of the resin that fake book was made of.  Plus, our books are functional, Bobbie is using hers as a photo album for our trip.

One of mine is actually a faux book that opens up as a trinket box.  I've got three books listed on Etsy if you are interested in buying one.

Or if you'd rather make your own, here are some quick how-to's.

This eye, is made of paper clay and hand painted, but if you aren't a painter, I have a short cut for you.

You can use a doll eye from the craft store.  

On this one, I cut the back off so it had a lower profile.

The eyelids are made of paperclay.

Simply surround it with a couple of snake rolls.

Then smoosh them out and add wrinkles with a toothpick or clay tool.

I used some modelling paste over the old paper I added to the cover, and a piece of lace to texture it all. You could also use a thin layer of paper clay, but it is more expensive and heavier, I found the modelling compound easier to use for an all over dragon skin look.

I won't go into details about finishing  my books, the decor is a personal choice and you can embellish your book however you like now that you know how to make the evil eye.

What was important to me while making them, was that I kept the covers pretty even while they were spooky.

Lots of rhinestones, ribbons, and Victorian lace.

  The Good Stuff. 

I also thought a key hole and key were a good touch.

And don't neglect the insides! These pages are inked and edged to look old.  The inside covers are sheathed in vintage wallpaper.

I even found some "nice" spells in an old fairy tale.

"Weave your Joy

Sing your Spells

Wave your Charms"

It seemed to me, with an eye that creepy on the front, the books all needed an extra wallop of pretty to counter balance that.

Plus, who wants an evil witch book around?

I much prefer good witches. This cover reads:

"As good and kind as you are fair"