BeautyCraft: The Dragon Queen Witch Wand

Hello Beauties and Builders

Today I have my first BeautyCraft. If you've looked at the title then you know that today's craft is The Dragon Queen Witch Wand (a mouthful, I know). Now for this tutorial I have will be creating a video that will be featured at the end of this blog and on my youtube channel Beauty and the Build but for those of you who love to read (like me) or need a little more detail; this blog is for you. Now remember to read this blog in its entirety before crafting, you don't want to miss a step and end up with a mess or worse a completely unusable craft.

First we start with materials. I am listing the materials I used but you can improvise all you'd like and get a little crafty. I usually use found object that I have or scrap pieces of this or that to make many of my crafts and I encourage you to do the same. However, if you want it to look exact like mine or nearly so, you will need:

• 1 1/4" in Diameter x 12" Long Dowel Rod - I got mine from Walmart in a pack of 8. The pack came with 4 different sizes - 2 of each size, I used the second smallest size.
• 1 Painters Knife - I call it a spade but that's me. I also bought this from Walmart.
• 1 Packet of Leather Lace 3/16" Wide x 2 yards long - The brand is Real Leather Craft Lace and it is called Deerskin Lace. I bought this from my local Jo Ann but you can find this at most craft stores and online. I used black but I normally use brown and the leather lace comes in a slew of fun colors, so you can make the lace any color you like. There are also different types you can try out, such as braided or twisted leather lace, as well as corded leather lace by the same company. 
• 2 Metal Picture Corners - I already had these items but you can find them at most craft stores and, as always, online.
• 1 Spool of Jewelry Wire - I also already had this on hand but you can again find it at any craft store or online.
• 1 Knob with Screw Attached - The screw needs to be connected so you can attach it to your wand. However you don't have to only use a knob, you can use jewels - I have in the past- or anything that isn't too heavy and won't come off when placed at the tip of your Dowel Rod. If you absolutely cannot find a Knob with a Screw Attached, then get one that doesn't have the screw going through the  bottom but through the top. Another Knob you can use is one that is completely closed off at the top but open at the bottom and use a Dowel Rod that is smaller then the one we are going to use for the body of the wand. You can also use a wooden skewer but do not use tooth picks, they are too fragile and will break. Hobby Lobby is a great place to find really interesting Knobs that all have screws attached.
• 1 Bottle or Can of Wood Stain in the color of your liking - you may also use paint. I already had a bottle of Eco-stain from JoAnn but you can find stain at most craft stores, super stores, or home improvement stores.

For decorative Knobs and Picture Corners, here are a few companies I suggest, you can find each of them at JoAnn, Michaels, Hobby Lobby, or any other craft store.

1. Prima Marketing
2. Tim Holtz
3. The Paper Studio
4. Seven Gypsies

Along with these materials you will also need these tools:

• 1 Pair of Wire Cutters or Tin Snips
• 1 Pair of Pliers
• 1 Pair of Fabric Scissors (unless you don't care)
• Hot Glue Gun and Hot Glue Sticks
• Tweezers or Forceps (I used the latter)
• 1 Sheet (or less) of 220 Grit Sand Paper (may not be necessary)
• Pencil Sharpener (you can also use a knife or scissors)
• Paper Towel or Scrap Cloth
• A Screw Eye or a Drill - If you have the drill use it and if you don't know how, get someone to help you. It will go a lot faster and easier with one.

Now that we know what we need, let's get started.

1. The first thing you need to do is take apart your Painters Knife. 
• I first took off the knife, I thought this would be hard but it literally snapped off, which kind of gave me hope that the shaft would be easy to disassemble. Alas earwax ... I mean it wasn't. (BTW: If you get that reference, I love you.)
• I used the wire cutters to pull apart the Handle and the shaft of the knife but I suggest you use pliers; it will make the job a lot easier. I say this from experience but also because there are two little pieces that jut into the wood, making it very secure. When trying to pull the shaft out with wire cutters it was very difficult since they have no grip and just kept slipping. This made it both hard and dangerous. However, I did find that holding the Handle and placing the wire cutters at the base of the Painters Knife where there was this little metal piece to pull at did help but only unit the metal piece came loose and started sliding up the shaft while I was trying to work.
• Once that is completed you can set the Handle aside and try and keep track of the knife piece, I have another BeautyCraft in mind for it in the near future.
2. The next step is to prepare your Dowel Rod.
• The first thing I did was make a point at one end of the Dowel Rod with my pencil sharpener that fit into the hole at the top of my Handle. This step is fairly easy and simple.
• Next I used my Screw Eye to make a hole at the other end of the Dowel Rod for my knob. Now I suggest you use a drill on a low speed with the smallest drill bit you have and steadily increase the size until the knob fits securely in the hole. This would have made this go a lot faster and smoother but I was being lazy and didn't feel like charging my drill. This also meant that I had to use my Forceps to clean out the hole every once and while, while screwing and that I had to cut my knob down twice so that it fit in the hole correctly.
• After you have finished making both your point and your hole, you will need to sand down your Dowel Rod. Now, if you bought pre-cut Dowel Rods, like I did, you don't really need to do this step but if you bought the long type and cut it yourself (been there, crafted that way) you may need to sand it down. Also if you were to make your own Handle (which I have done), the bigger the Dowel Rod the more likely you may have to sand it down.
• Once sanded, you may now stain your Dowel Rod. I used a mahogany stain color but any color will do, you can even use paint for a more colorful look. To stain the Dowel Rod you need Paper Towels (although scrap cloth is even better) and a stain. Just to let you know, I used tissue paper, my laziness getting the better of me yet again, will I ever learn. If you use paint, you will need a paint brush or sponge and, of course, the paint of your choice. First shake your stain or paint really well and then put a little bit of it on the Dowel Rod, rub or brush it in (here is where safety equipment such as glove come in handy but I didn't have any) and let sit for a bit. The longer you let it sit, the more the wood should absorb it. After a few seconds to a minute, you can wipe off the excess stain with your Paper Towel, Cloth or, in my case, Kleenex. Do this until the Dowel Rod is covered to your liking. It may take several coats of stain for a darker finish depending on what type you get. If you're extremely lazy (like I can be), you may want to try stain pens, they can be bought at most hardware or home improvement stores as well as some craft stores and they would more than likely make this step a breeze and far less messy. If you try this out, let me know how it goes in the comments, I'd love to hear (well read) all about your BeautyCraft.
• Finally, you need to let the stain set for a little bit, so set the Dowel Rod down and take a small break. I drank some lemonade while waiting, it was quite refreshing, especially in Michigan during another snow storm.
3. Now we put the pieces together.
• So while you're Dowel Rod is drying and you are enjoying your lemonade, plug in your loaded Hot Glue Gun. You can also do this step as you're working on your Dowel Rod if your Hot Glue Gun takes a while to warm up like mine does.
• Now you want to squeeze some Hot Glue into the hole of the Handle and quickly place the sharpened end of the Dowel Rod into it, holding it securely until the glue dries. Once the Hot Glue has dried, you will need to make sure that the shaft is securely anchored into and onto the Handle. The way I did this was by building up glue around the base of the Dowel Rod. I then smoothed it around the Handle. I did this while it was still quite hot and burned my fingers in the process but I have done that many times and didn't bother me as much as it may bother you, so I don't suggest this. Instead, take a Popsicle stick or something that can get into the groove between the Dowel Rod and the Handle but not take away the glue and smooth it that way. Another method would be to let the Hot Glue dry a bit and then while it is still warm but not hot, you can mold it around the Handle and Dowel Rod base. Tip: if your Hot Glue dried too quickly, just take the tip of the Hot Glue Gun and press it into the dried Glue and it will warm back up and become more malleable.
• Once you're happy with the steadiness of the Handle and Dowel Rod, it's time to place the knob or jewel at the top of the Dowel Rod where you made your hole. Again squeeze a bit of Hot Glue into the hole and quickly push your Knob or Jewel in. Hold it for a moment and then, like the Handle and the Dowel Rod, put some Hot Glue around the edge of your Knob or Jewel and smooth it around. Repeat until you feel the Knob or Jewel is secure.
• To make it easier and so you don't have to use so much Hot Glue, try using E-6000 Glue or some other long holding super glue such as Gorilla Glue.
4. After everything is secure, we want to work on the Handle.
• Take your Leather Lace and remove it from the packaging. Then starting at the top of your Handle either on or right under where you're Hot Glue starts, add a line of Hot Glue and start wrapping the Leather Lace as straight as possible around the hand, trying to line the pieces up and not overlap them. Every few turns I added a little more Hot Glue until I reached the bottom of the Handle. Now if you have a larger Handle or made it yourself, it may take more than 2 yards of Leather Lace, however, the craft store sells bigger rolls of Leather Lace and it's only a few dollars more. My end has a small gap where the leather ended, I did this on purpose because I knew it would be covered, if you do not want to cover your lace, make sure the end look clean when finished.
• Once done wrapping, it's time to finish off the end of the Handle. I used my 2 Picture Corners to create a cool looking metal ending.
• First what I did was to cut one of the Picture Corners so that the frame part was barely there. I used my wire cutters for this job as well and this was so hard to do. I suggest you use Tin Snips or Metal Sheers for this job if you have them. The work will be much easier and safer. Also you should use some heavy duty gloves because the corners are sharp and I did cut myself on them while working.
• Next you want to shape the 2 Picture Corners. I used my fingers, since the metal was really malleable when it came to the actual corners and not the joints, and I shaped the metal until it fit around the end of the Handle. I made sure to open up the Picture Corner I didn't cut until it fit around the back of the Handle. Then I used my Hot Glue to attach the Picture Corner that I didn't cut and hold it in place for a moment, again I suggest heavy duty safety glove so you don't burn yourself like I did. Finally put your other molded Picture Corner that you cut on the back of the other one so that it hides the back of the uncut Picture Corner.
5. It's Time To Finish Up
• First what you want to do is take your Jewelry wire and wrap it a few times around the base of the Dowel Rod. After that you can create a crisscross pattern up the Dowel Rod and then wrap the wire at the top just below the knob and then repeat making the crisscross pattern back down the Dowel Rod until you reach the end and wrap the Jewelry Wire around the base and cut the wire. At this point you can get really fun with your wand by adding small jewels to Jewelry Wire as you wind it around your Dowel Rod. Have fun with it and see how beautiful you can make it.
• Finally finishing the top and bottom parts of the Dowel Rod where the Hot Glue is exposed. Take some more of your wire and start wrapping it around the base of your Dowel Rod and the top of your Handle. Keep wrapping until the top of the Handle and base of the Dowel Rod are completely covered. Then repeat this step at the top of your Dowel Rod and the base of your Knob.
6. You're Done!
• Take pictures.
• Show it off to friends and family.
• Send me some pictures as well.
• Jump for joy!

I really hope you enjoyed my first BeautyCraft tutorial and if you have any questions please leave them in the comments. I would also love to see your creations and any variations that you've made on this BeautyCraft, so please share them with me through a youtube video, on my Twitter or Pinterest pages or you can link them below in the comments section. Have a wonderfully crafty day and don't forget to Build Beauty.

BeautyCraft Video Time!